SHAFT ALIGNMENT

Negative effects of misaligned shafts Alignment procedure Coupling results vs. foot values Shafts and couplings sign convention
and the dynamic forces at the coupling

HIGHER MACHINE
TEMPERATURES
HIGHER POWER
CONSUMPTION
COUPLING DAMAGE
1 PRE-ALIGNMENT 2 ALIGNMENT 3 POST-ALIGNMENT
• Alignment out of
tolerances
• Small foot correction
• Alignment within
tolerances
• Relatively high foot
MINIMIZE THE QUALITY values correction values
OF THE LUBRICANT
SAFETY DIMENSION MACHINE • High coupling results • Coupling results values
SEAL WEAR • Lock-out and tag-out the machine • Mount the chain brackets and measuring components onto the • Re-tighten all machine hold-down bolts with the values outside tolerance within tolerance
• Close all valves shaft and/or coupling recommended torque values
• Remove coupling guard • Enter dimensions into the measurement device • Remove all lifting and jacking bolts at the machine
• Enter coupling target or thermal growth values if necessary feet Side view (3D)
BEARING DAMAGE

MACHINE VIBRATIONS

MACHINE DATA MEASURE

• Thermal growth or targets MEASURE • Take a final measurement
• Movement of the machine rotating axis in • Select the required measurement mode (depends on type of mils mils mils mils
operating condition (sleeve bearings, gearbox) machine)
• Rotate the shafts in normal operating direction Tolerances for standard machines
Thermal expansion of machines • Take a minimum of at least two measurement sequences then check RESULT Side view graphical representation (2D)
the repeatability of the measurements SHORT FLEX COUPLING
• Coupling values within tolerances?
COUPLING
• Define tolerances
• Axial spacing / coupling gap value from the data RESULT
sheet • Results within tolerances? REPORTING
• Save the measurement file for reporting
• Measurement file saved with date, time, machine
FOUNDATION id, and operator name
• Visual inspection of the baseplate, frame, and SOFT FOOT
machine physical appearance
Thermal growth is the movement of the shaft centerlines due • Clean the contact surfaces of the machine feet
• Visual inspection of the coupling elements
to temperature change in the machines. • Replace bent bolts and curved washers Bolt torque
• Hold-down bolts are tight
The solution is to compensate the effects of thermal growth
• Clean the bolt threads and bolt holes, then lubricate lightly SAFETY
• Measure and eliminate any soft foot • Remove all brackets and measuring equipment
by defining alignment target values in cold condition.
from the machine Why tighten hold-down bolts using the recommended
• Mount the coupling guard torque?
EQUIPMENT • Unlock the machine Excessive torque results in:
• Laser shaft alignment system MACHINE CORRECTIONS • Damage to the machine feet SPACER COUPLING
• High quality shims • Damage to the hold-down bolts, fasteners and washers
• Perform vertical corrections with precision shims
• Digital caliper • Undertake machine movements with hydraulic jacks, jacking bolts or
• Feeler gauges lifting bolts Less torque results in:
• Tools for lifting and moving machines • Adjust the axial spacing / coupling gap as recommended in the data • Machine looseness
• Torque meter sheet
• Avoid shocks or jerky machine movements that can damage bearings Standard bolt torque specifications
Key to table
TPI = Thread per inch
K = Torque coefficient
Choose the correct measurement mode Soft foot Movement restrictions 1 Newton meter [Nm] = 0.7375 foot-pound force [ft lb]

Table with coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) values of for horizontal machines 1 foot-pound force [ft lb] = 1.3558 Newton meter [Nm]

standard materials Why measure and eliminate soft foot?

• Influences the machine position in both vertical and
CONTINUOUS SWEEP MEASUREMENT MODE horizontal directions during loosening and tightening of the
• Smoothly rotatable shafts hold-down bolts
• Coupled shafts • May cause cracks in the machine feet and housing
• Machines with roller bearings • May result in increased radial load on the bearing
• May cause increased machine vibrations

MULTIPOINT / ACTIVE CLOCK Traditionally the motor was the MTBM (machine to be moved).
MEASUREMENT MODES In many cases the centerline of the stationary machine shaft
is not properly parallel aligned to the surface of frames and
• Difficult to rotate shafts (external
the bolt holes.
forces influence centerline of shafts)
• Shafts with high breakaway torque
• Uncoupled shafts 1st Example 2nd Example
Motor is high and has no Motor is bolt-bound
Formula: LΔ = (Tw - Ta) x L x α • Machines with thin shafts and soft
frames shims under the feet and therefore cannot
• Machines with sleeve/journal bearings (floating oil film) move horizontally.
LΔ = change in length
Tw = working temperature • Combustion engine (diesel, compressor) with force on the
crank shaft Angle vs. gap
Ta = ambient temperature
L = length • Non rotable shafts (sliding bracket)
α = CTE Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
mils mils

mils
Example: Pump with hot liquid at 248 °F (120 °C) Lack of measurement repeatability
mils

Make the stationary machine on the left side moveable by

• Dynamic forces at the coupling entering additional dimensions and work with the complete
• Backslash between the shafts train fixations.
• Loose components (coupling, bracket, sensors)
• Brackets and sensors touch stationary parts during rotation
• Change of rotational direction during the measurement
• Excessive vibration from nearby equipment and personnel Hint: If a feeler gauge is not available, shims of different
• Direct sunlight thicknesses may be used to measure the gap between the mils
• Thermal influence on laser beam (over long distances) mils
machine foot and the baseplate surface. mils mils
• Sliding brackets on uneven surface Maximum number shims → 4-5.

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