What is the best way to align shafts?
The straightedge This method of shaft alignment was common practice in many plants, provided a flexible coupling was used, it was considered good enough to eyeball the alignment and bolt the machine down. The equipment is certainly cheap and readily available.
What is the dial indicator method for shaft alignment?
Accurate alignment of shaft centers can be obtained with the dial indicator method—even where faces or outside diameters of the coupling halves are not square or concentric with the bores—provided all measurements for angular alignment are made between the same two points on the outside diameters.
What are Laser shaft alignment tools?
Laser shaft alignment tools address correcting the misalignment of rotating machinery. Alignment tools can perform complicated alignment measurements which reduces the amount downtime, repair time, and money spent to replace machines or assets due to improper alignment. How to use a laser alignment tool?
Why choose an SKF shaft alignment tool?
SKF has developed a range of easy-to-use shaft alignment tools that are suitable for a majority of alignment tasks.
How do you check a shaft and coupling alignment?
1:522:58Shaft Alignment Know-How: The Basics - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipEach have a combination of offset and angular misalignment to measure we rotate the shafts to findMoreEach have a combination of offset and angular misalignment to measure we rotate the shafts to find the relative positions. Between the two center lines of rotation. Once we know the misalignment.
Which instrument you will use to check the shaft alignment?
Shaft alignment with Leonova Diamond The Leonova Diamond instrument is the control and display unit, with a powerful processor that enables very short calculation times. A user-friendly graphical interface guides the user through the entire alignment procedure.
Which instrument is used for alignment of two shafts?
A laser shaft alignment tool performs measurements by means of two sensors mounted on two connected shafts.
How do you check a shaft misalignment?
Diagnosis via laser shaft alignment system Checking for shaft misalignment is often the first course of action when a machine starts having a problem. A laser shaft alignment system determines misalignment at the coupling and calculates the appropriate machine movement to be performed at its base.
How do I check my pump coupling alignment?
4:118:00How to Align the Coupling Between the Motor and a Corken PumpYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo confirm parallel alignment place a straightedge on the vertical axis at 12 or 6 o'clock positionMoreTo confirm parallel alignment place a straightedge on the vertical axis at 12 or 6 o'clock position and again on the horizontal axis at the 3 or 9 o'clock. Position.
What is the instrument often used to check the degree of motor shaft misalignment?
Dial gauges or laser measurement devices are often used to provide more accurate measurements of the degree of misalignment between the motor and pump shafts.
How shaft alignment is done?
Shaft alignment is done using various tools. Two of the most popular tools are a dial indicator and a laser alignment system. Regardless of what tool is used, the principles involved in shaft alignment are the same. The tools are used to calculate how much the equipment (the motor, pump, etc.)
What is a laser alignment tool?
A laser shaft alignment tool performs measurements by means of two sensors mounted on two connected shafts. Both sensors fire a laser beam and receive the other sensor's beam simultaneously; a comparison of the beams reveals whether the shafts are aligned and within a specified tolerance.
How do you check a shaft?
To measure coupling or shaft runout, it is common to use a dial indicator with a standard magnetic base. Simply mount the magnetic base on a stationary surface. Then mount the dial indicator on the surface to be checked.
How do you use a laser alignment tool?
2:4910:03How to use a laser shaft alignment tool using Vibralign Fixturlaser EVOYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first dimension that you see on screen is the distance between the two post. And you measureMoreThe first dimension that you see on screen is the distance between the two post. And you measure Center the post to center of the post in this case it's six and a half inches.
Which misalignment should be checked first?
In fact, for the initial rough alignment you should correct the plane with the largest misalignment first, even if this means making a horizontal move first. Reason: If you have gross misalignment, you could be binding the coupling, deflecting the shafts and imposing undue load on the bearings.
How shaft alignment is done?
Shaft alignment is done using various tools. Two of the most popular tools are a dial indicator and a laser alignment system. Regardless of what tool is used, the principles involved in shaft alignment are the same. The tools are used to calculate how much the equipment (the motor, pump, etc.)
How do you use dial indicator to align shafts?
1:594:41Shaft Alignment Training: Faster Alignment With Dials | ACOEMYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen add or remove shims to make the calculated vertical Corrections. With the bolts still looseMoreThen add or remove shims to make the calculated vertical Corrections. With the bolts still loose rotate the dials to the three o'clock position and make the horizontal Corrections.
How many types of shaft alignment are there?
There are two types of misalignment: offset or parallel misalignment and angular, gap, or face misalignment. With offset misalignment, the center lines of both shafts are parallel but they are offset. With angular misalignment, the shafts are at an angle to each other.
How do you use a laser alignment tool?
2:4910:03How to use a laser shaft alignment tool using Vibralign Fixturlaser EVOYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first dimension that you see on screen is the distance between the two post. And you measureMoreThe first dimension that you see on screen is the distance between the two post. And you measure Center the post to center of the post in this case it's six and a half inches.
How to check for angular alignment?
A rough check for angular alignment is made by inserting the taper gauge or feelers between the coupling faces at 90 degree intervals (see Image 2). Checks for angular and parallel alignment by this method can only be done if the face and outside diameters of the coupling halves are square and concentric with the coupling bores. A rough check for parallel alignment is made by placing a straightedge across both coupling rims at the top, bottom and at both sides (see Image 3). After rough alignment, fasten the indicator to the pump half of the coupling, with the indicator button resting on the other half coupling periphery (see Image 4). Set the dial to zero, and mark the coupling half beside where the button rests. Rotate both shafts by the same amount, i.e., all readings on the dial must be made with the button beside the mark. The dial readings will indicate whether the driver has to be raised, lowered or moved to either side.
What tools are needed to check the alignment of a flexible coupling?
In the absence of a laser alignment system, users can check the alignment with some simple tools. The necessary tools used for checking the alignment of a flexible coupling are a straightedge and a taper gauge or a set of feeler gauges, or by use of dial indicators.
What is laser alignment?
They are capable of aligning couplings with and without spacers and are most commonly used for precision alignments. Image 1 shows an example of a laser alignment system setup on a pump and motor shaft.
Versatility and performance for professional alignment
Designed for professional alignment in harsh industrial environments, the TKSA 71 complements SKF’s offering with a high-end shaft alignment tool. The instrument is very versatile with ultra-compact measuring units for use in extremely narrow spaces.
Apps
The TKSA 71 functions quickly and intuitively using six software apps tailored for different alignment jobs. Designed for use without prior training, these simple-to-use apps are available free of charge for both Android and iOS platforms.
Complete system for your alignment needs
The TKSA 71 base model includes standard accessories for most alignment tasks. It is supplied in a rugged case that meets most airline requirements for cabin luggage.
What is laser shaft alignment?
Laser shaft alignment is the most efficient way to align machine shafts. Using an adaptive alignment system instead of conventional tools saves you time and money, increases machine availability, prolongs service life and maintenance intervals, and lowers power consumption.
Why is shaft alignment important?
Shaft alignment improves the efficiency in which machines and assets operate. If shafts are not properly aligned, it could reduce the life span of the machine, increase in parts costs, machine downtime, labor, and energy.
What is shaft misalignment?
Shaft misalignment can occur in rotating machines that are connected by a coupling. In fact, a majority of rotating machines used in the manufacturing industry are out of alignment. Operation within certain tolerances allows for proper transmission of power with minimal wear and tear.
Why do rotating machines move out of tolerances?
Over time however, any rotating machine can move out of these tolerances due to circumstances such as soft-foot, a bent shaft, loose bolts, poor base conditions, pipe strain and various other inconsistencies. Shafts that are out of alignment put strain on rotating machines, resulting in a loss of power transmission as well as damage to, ...
What happens when a shaft is out of alignment?
Shafts that are out of alignment put strain on rotating machines, resulting in a loss of power transmission as well as damage to, and even failure of, the bearings, couplings, and other associated components.
How many mils is a 12 inch spacer shaft?
For example, a machine running at 1800 RPM with 12 inch of spacer shaft length would allow a maximum offset of: 0.6 mils/inch x 12 inches = 7.2 mils at either coupling at the ends of the spacer shaft. Rigid couplings have no tolerance for misalignment, they should be aligned as accurately as possible.
How much of machine breakdowns are due to shaft alignment?
suggests that as much as 50% of machine breakdowns can be directly attributed to incorrect shaft alignment. It is true that flexible couplings are designed to take misalignment, typically up to 400 mils or more radial offset of the shafts. But the load
What is the purpose of producing this handbook?
The purpose of producing this handbook is to provide basic information and guidelines for the implementation of good shaft alignment for
What is the maximum allowable gap for a coupling rim?
For other coupling diameters multiply the value from the table by the appropriate factor. For example, a machine running at 1800 RPM has a coupling diameter of 3 inches. At this diameter the maximum allowable gap would be: 0.9 mils. For spacer shafts the table gives the maximum allowable offset for 1
When were tolerances for coupling spacers first published?
Tolerances based on RPM and coupling spacer length were first published in the 1970’s. Many of the tolerances were based primarily
How to identify misalignment?
measure externally. Using vibration analysis or infrared thermography it is possible to identify primary symptoms of misalignment such as high vibration readings in radial and axial directions or abnormal temperature gradients in machine casings, but without such instrumentation it is also possible to identify secondary machine problems which can indicate inaccurate shaft alignment.
What is Prueftechnik?
do not suggest that the methods illustrated are the only ones available. Prueftechnik are specialists in the alignment and monitoring of rotating
How does a laser emitter work?
The laser emitter shoots a laser across the shaft to the sensor in a single beam laser set-up. Sometimes both sides will emit a laser and both will simultaneously act as a sensor. In that situation it is known as a dual beam laser. In either situation, as the laser is being emitted, the shaft is rotated to find the center lines of rotation between the two shafts.
What is laser shaft alignment?
Laser shaft alignment (commonly known as coupling alignment) is the process of aligning two or more rotating shafts in a straight line. This involves looking at both the vertical and horizontal plane to try and ensure they are rotating on a common axis (coaxial).
What causes vibration in rotating machinery?
Improper shaft alignment is responsible for roughly 50% of all rotating machinery breakdowns. Misalignment causes excessive vibration and puts high loads on seals, packing, couplings and bearings. It can also cause temperature fluctuations due to friction, energy loss and even motor failure.
What is laser sensor?
The laser sensors send the information to a display unit or tablet that displays the alignment. Units may be either offset, have an angular misalignment or both. Once the misalignment has been identified the movable piece of equipment is adjusted vertically and/or horizontally. The goal is to come as close to coaxial, or perfectly aligned, as possible.
What does properly aligning shafts do?
By properly aligning shafts, you will use less lubricant, lower noise levels, increase equipment life and waste less energy.
How to contact RasMech?
Call the Reliability Experts at RasMech at 1-800-237-3141.
