Introduction Shaft alignment isa process of adjusting any two or more shafts positions relative to one another to ensure an acceptable alignment of these shafts that will result in effective power ‘transmission between the machines enabling the running machines to operates optimally Itis critical requirement for a machine shafts to be well aligned before the machine begins any form of work. Aim “The aimis to ensure the optimal running ofthe centrifugal pump, which in turn minimises breakdowns _andinereases the proftabilty forthe cent. Objective ‘The abjective isto sufficiently align the given shafts of the centrifugal pump thus also equipping us with practical experience on the topic. Apparatus pump motor dial gauge pump shaft coupling motor shaft Jacking boltsSAK 4K Centrifugal pump mated to a motor through a coupling Dial gauge Shims Engineers square Feeler gauge Vainer calliper Procedure Below is a step-by-step tutorial on how to effectively align using the measurement method Ensure that the machine to be aligned may be moved as required this includes (vertical, upwards and downwards mobility) should the mator require lawering or raising shims will be inserted beneath the relevant feet. Ideal horizontal positioning of motor will bbe achieved using jack bolts, Straight edging is performed on the coupling to the pump shaft a using an Engineers square. This acts as a baseline to which adjustments will be based on to achieve shaft alignment. This can be best described as coupling alignment and nat shaft alignment as, defined earlier. Straight edging is then performed on the coupling to the motor shaft. Using the feeler gauge the engineer accurately measures any gap between the coupling halves. The shaft is then rotated through 180 degrees and the “gap” is the checked again. This procedure is then carried out for the horizontal alignment measurements. These feeler sizes Ultimately decide where the shim need to be inserted and the sizes that willbe need 10 be inserted in the motor feet. Care should be taken when fastening the any shaft toa coupling, Bolts should not be fastened in a randomly but rather in opposites. Correction of soft foot is the next step. It will eliminate wobble in the motor as @ wobbly ‘machine mount causes alignment frustration. Essentially there are tio types of soft ‘oot, parallel and angular soft footing both of which can eliminated by inserting shims however in the case of angular soft footing and tapered shims must be used or alternatively the motor feet can be grinded to eliminate the angle,foot, parallel and angular soft footing both of which can eliminated by inserting shims hhowaver in the case of angular soft foating and tapered shims must be uced or alternatively the motor feet can be grinded to eliminate the angle ¥. Adial gauge attached to the couple on the pump side isriow used help a achieve 3 more ‘accurate shaft alignment. The dial indicator is set to Ot the top/ vertically up and the dial reading is recorded. Itis then rotated at intervals 90° clockwise and the left, botkém, ‘and right readings is recorded respectively Vi. Shaft alignment calculations are then done to determine the foot adjustmentéineedéd to achieve an acceptable shaft alignment and based an these calculations the appropite ‘adjustments are made using shims and bolt fastening. Vil. After the adjustments have been done step v and vi are repeated to confirm that the shaft has been successfully aligned. Calculation Results: Considering a spec of 1mm using TIR: TOP: Smm Top - BOTTOM =5-5.7=-0.7mm BOTTOM: 5.7mm Actual Vertical Offset = 0.7 +2 =0.25mm. LEFT: 5.29 mm, LEFT - RIGH' 29-5.23=0.06mm RIGHT: 5.23mm Actual Horizontal Offset = 0.06 + 2= 0.03mm Discussion Considering our 1mm spec and the calculation we can see that the shafts is well aligned at present state and no further adjustments to the system are requires. Conclusion Now that the shafts of the pump and motor have been successfully aligned these machines will both run optimally thus maximising production on the client's plant. We can therefore ‘conclude by stating that the aim and objectives ofthis practical assessment have all been met.