PRECISION

SHAFT ALIGNMENT
Eng. Mohamad Alaa Koraitem
 21 March 2015
COURSE OUTLINE

 ALLIGNMENT FUNDAMENTALS
 MISALIGNMENT DETECTION

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 PRELIMINARY ALIGNMENT CHECKS

 MISALIGNMENT MEASUREMENT
 FACE & RIM METHOD
 REVERSE METHOD
 LASER ALLIGNMENT
 21 March 2015
ALLIGNMENT FUNDAMENTALS

 DEFINITION
 WHY PERFORM ALIGNMENT AND HOW OFTEN?

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 WHAT IS GOOD ENOUGH?

 COUPLING ALIGNMENT VERSUS SHAFT

ALIGNMENT
 TYPES OF MISALIGNMENT

 BENEFITS OF GOOD MACHINERY ALIGNMENT

 CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE ALIGNMENT

 21 March 2015
ALLIGNMENT DEFINITION

 Shaft alignment occurs when the centerlines of rotation

of two (or more) shafts are collinear when operating at

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normal conditions.
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MISALLIGNMENT DEFINITION

 Shaft misalignment occurs when the centerlines of

rotation of two (or more) machinery shafts are not in line

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with each other.
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DOES LEVELING AND ALIGNMENT
MEAN THE SAME THING?
 No.
 It‟s possible to have

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 A machinery drive train level but not aligned
 A machinery drive train aligned but not level.
 A machinery drive train both level and aligned.

 Shaft alignment deals specifically with the centerlines of

rotation of machinery shafts.
 21 March 2015
WHY PERFORM ALIGNMENT AND HOW
OFTEN?
 Periodic alignment checks on all coupled machinery
 Vibration effects of misalignment can seriously damage a

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piece of equipment.
 Misalignment of a few hundreds of a micron can cause
vibration that significantly reduces equipment life.
 Misalignment may develop over a very short period of
time, Although the machinery may have been properly
aligned during installation.
 21 March 2015
INDICATIONS OF MISALIGNMENT

 Shaft wobbling,
 Excessive vibration (in both radial and axial directions).

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 Excessive bearing temperature (even if adequate
lubrication is present).
 Noise.

 bearing wear pattern.

 Coupling wear.
TRIAL-AND-ERROR VERSUS
CALCULATION

21 March 2015
TRIAL-AND-ERROR CALCULATION

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 May eventually produce  Simple trigonometric
the correct answers. principles.
 Extremely time  Exact amount of
consuming. correction.
 Usually considered  Taking the guesswork out
„„good enough‟‟ before it of the process.
really is.  Align a piece of
machinery on the first
attempt
 21 March 2015
WHAT IS GOOD ENOUGH?

 Depending on
 Speed of rotation.

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 Type of coupling.

 Flexible couplings are not a total solution.

 Align all machinery to comply exactly with the
manufacturers‟ specifications.
 Manufacturers‟ alignment specifications may include
intentional misalignment during „„cold‟‟ alignment to
compensate for thermal growth, gear lash, etc. during
operation.
 21 March 2015
COUPLING ALIGNMENT VERSUS
SHAFT ALIGNMENT
 shaft alignment and coupling alignment do not
necessarily mean the same thing.

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 If all couplings were perfectly bored through their exact
center and perfectly machined about their rim and face, it
might be possible to align a piece of machinery simply
by aligning the two coupling halves.
 Coupling eccentricity often results in coupling
misalignment.
 The shaft and coupling should be checked and corrected
for runout.
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TYPES OF MISALIGNMENT

 PARALLEL OFFSET
 ANGULAR MISALIGNMENT

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 COMBINATION OF BOTH
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PARALLEL OFFSET
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PARALLEL OFFSET

 The two shafts can be offset

 Vertically.

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 Horizontally.
 A combination of both.

 Often found in small equipment that has a common base

plate.
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ANGULAR MISALIGNMENT
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ANGULAR MISALIGNMENT

 The angularity again can be in

 The vertical plane.

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 The horizontal plane.
 Both.

 Usually be in both the vertical and the horizontal planes.

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COMBINATION OF BOTH
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COMBINATION OF BOTH

 In most cases, misalignment in couplings will not occur

as either a pure parallel offset or as a pure angular

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misalignment, but rather as a combination of both.
 21 March 2015
BENEFITS OF GOOD MACHINERY
ALIGNMENT
 The primary objective of accurate alignment is to
increase the operating life span of rotating machinery.

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 Will reduce excessive axial and radial forces on the
bearings to insure longer bearing life and rotor stability
under dynamic operating conditions.
 Precise alignment will reduce the possibility of shaft
failure from cyclic fatigue.
 It will minimize the amount of wear in the coupling
components.
 Alleviate the amount of shaft bending from the point of
power transmission in the coupling to the coupling end
bearing.
 It will maintain proper internal rotor clearances.
 21 March 2015
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE
ALIGNMENT

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 21 March 2015
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE
ALIGNMENT

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 21 March 2015
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE
ALIGNMENT

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 21 March 2015
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE
ALIGNMENT

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 21 March 2015
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE
ALIGNMENT

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 21 March 2015
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE
ALIGNMENT
 Early bearing, seal, shaft, or coupling failures.
 Elevated temperatures at or near the bearings or high

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discharge oil temperatures.
 Excessive amount of lubricant leakage at the bearing
seals.
 Certain types of flexible couplings will exhibit higher
than normal temperatures when running or will be hot
immediately after the unit is shut down. If the coupling is
an elastomeric type, look for rubber powder inside the
coupling shroud.
 Similar pieces of equipment seem to have a longer
operating life.
 21 March 2015
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE
ALIGNMENT
 Unusually high number of coupling failures or they wear
quickly.

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 The shafts are breaking (or cracking) at or close to the
inboard bearings or coupling hubs.
 Excessive amounts of grease (or oil) on the inside of the
coupling guard.
 Loose foundation bolts, typically caused by a „„soft foot‟‟
condition, are exacerbated by misalignment.
 Loose or broken coupling bolts. This is frequently due to
improperly torquing the coupling bolts and aggravated
by a misalignment condition.
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MOTOR/PUMP MISALIGNMENT

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• Uneven rotor to stator air gap • Uneven impeller to diffuser clearance
• Cyclic fatigue of rotor components • Cyclic fatigue of rotor components
• Excessive radial and axial forces • Excessive radial and axial forces transmitted to bearings
transmitted to bearings • Mechanical seal rotating member not running concentric
• Shaft seal rubbing heavier on one side to stationary seal member
 21 March 2015
MISALIGNMENT DETECTION

 THE FOUR MAINTENANCE PHILOSOPHIES.

 FORCES ON ROTATING MACHINERY.

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 USING VIBRATION ANALYSIS TO DETECT
MISALIGNMENT.
 VIBRATION AMPLITUDE AND MISALIGNMENT
SEVERITY.
 VIBRATION SPECTRAL SIGNATURES OF
MISALIGNED COUPLINGS.
 USING INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY TO DETECT
MISALIGNMENT.
 THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO DETERMINE
MISALIGNMENT.
 21 March 2015
MAINTENANCE PHILOSOPHIES

 RUN-TO-FAILURE MAINTENANCE
(BREAKDOWN).

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 TIME-BASED MAINTENANCE (PREVENTIVE).

 CONDITION-BASED MAINTENANCE
(PREDICTIVE)
 PREVENTION MAINTENANCE (PROACTIVE)
 21 March 2015
RUN-TO-FAILURE MAINTENANCE

 allow the machinery to run to failure

 repair or replace the damaged equipment when obvious

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problems occur.
 costs to operate are about $18 per horsepower per year.

 works well if
 equipment shutdowns do not affect production.
 labor and material costs do not matter.

 Disadvantages
 unexpected production interruptions
 must have a high inventory of spare parts
 maintenance department operates in unplanned maintenance
activities.
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TIME BASED MAINTENANCE

 scheduling maintenance activities at predetermined time

intervals .

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 costs to operate are about $13 per horsepower per year.

 it works well for

 equipment that does not run continuously.
 the personnel have enough knowledge, skill, and time.

 Disadvantages
 scheduled maintenance may be done too early or too late.
 may be a drop in production due to unnecessary maintenance
work.
 possibility of low performance through incorrect repair
methods.
 21 March 2015
CONDITION-BASED MAINTENANCE

 periodically monitoring the machinery for excessive

vibration, temperature, lubrication degradation, or
observing any other unhealthy trends that occur over

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time.
 do not fix what is not broke.
 costs to operate are about $9 per horsepower per year.
 Advantages
 it works very well if personnel have enough knowledge, skill,
and time.
 reducing the need for a high parts inventory.
 increase in production capacity.
 Disadvantages
 Very high capital cost.
 21 March 2015
PREVENTION MAINTENANCE

 utilizes all of the predictive or preventive maintenance

techniques

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 concert with root cause failure analysis
 costs to operate are about $6 per horsepower per year.
 advantages
 works extremely well if personnel have enough knowledge, skill,
and time
 reduce or eliminate potential problems from repetitively occurring
 substantial increase in production capacity.

 Disadvantages
 requires extremely knowledgeable employees
 requires procurement of equipment and properly training personnel
to perform these duties.
 21 March 2015
FORCES ON ROTATING MACHINERY

 The majority of failures in rotating machinery are caused

by undesirable forces.

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 There are two basic forces that act on the rotating
machinery:
1. Static forces:
 Forces that always act in one direction.
2. Dynamic forces:
 Forces that change their direction or periodically fluctuate for
some reason. It is very important to understand that only
dynamic forces can cause vibration to occur in machinery.
 21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
STATIC FORCES
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DYNAMIC FORCES
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USING VIBRATION ANALYSIS TO
DETECT MISALIGNMENT
 Many people who work in the field of vibration analysis
feel that shaft misalignment can be detected by the

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following symptoms:
 High one or two times running speed frequency components
 High axial vibration levels
 A 180° phase shift will occur across the coupling

 The above symptoms can happen during shaft

misalignment, but not always.
 21 March 2015
USING VIBRATION ANALYSIS TO
DETECT MISALIGNMENT
 There is no relation between the amount of
misalignment and the level or amplitude of vibration.

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 The vibration signature of misaligned rotating
machinery will be different with different flexible
coupling designs.
 Misalignment vibration characteristics of machinery
rotors supported in sliding type bearings are typically
different than the vibration characteristics of
machinery rotors supported in antifriction type
bearings.
 Phase angle information only makes sense if the
primary vibration is occurring at running speed.
 21 March 2015
VIBRATION SPECTRAL SIGNATURES
OF MISALIGNED COUPLINGS
 Jaw-type couplings.
 Gear type couplings.

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 Metal ribbon-type couplings.

 Flexible disk-type couplings.

 Rubber tire-type coupling.

 TB Woods-type coupling.
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JAW-TYPE COUPLINGS.
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JAW-TYPE COUPLINGS.
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GEAR TYPE COUPLINGS.
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GEAR TYPE COUPLINGS.
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METAL RIBBON-TYPE COUPLINGS.
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METAL RIBBON-TYPE COUPLINGS.
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FLEXIBLE DISK-TYPE COUPLINGS.
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FLEXIBLE DISK-TYPE COUPLINGS.
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RUBBER TIRE-TYPE COUPLING.
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RUBBER TIRE-TYPE COUPLING.
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TB WOODS-TYPE COUPLING
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TB WOODS-TYPE COUPLING
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
JOURNAL BEARINGS
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JOURNAL BEARINGS
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
JOURNAL BEARINGS
 21 March 2015
USING INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY
TO DETECT MISALIGNMENT

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 21 March 2015
THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO
DETERMINE MISALIGNMENT
 Misalignment disguises itself very well on the operating
rotating machinery.

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 There are no easy or inexpensive ways to determine if
rotating machinery is misaligned while it is running.
 The most effective way to determine if a misalignment
condition exists
 Shut the drive system down.
 Remove the coupling guard.
 Employ one of the alignment measurement methods to see if
a misalignment condition is present.
 It is suggested that you also review off-line to running
machinery movement.
 21 March 2015
PRELIMINARY ALIGNMENT CHECKS
 FOUNDATION AND BASE PLATE CHECKS
 MACHINERY COMPONENT CHECKS

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 RUNOUT

 SOFT FOOT PROBLEMS

21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
FOUNDATION AND BASE PLATE
CHECKS
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FOUNDATION AND BASE PLATE
CHECKS
 21 March 2015
PROBLEMS TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR
FOUNDATIONS AND BASEPLATES

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 21 March 2015
PROBLEMS TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR
FOUNDATIONS AND BASEPLATES

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21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
PIPING STRESS CHECK
 21 March 2015
VISUAL INSPECTION CHECKLIST

1. Cracked concrete bases or support columns.

2. Cracks propagating at concrete joints.

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3. Water seeping between base plate and concrete
foundation that could freeze and damage the structure.
4. Loose foundation bolts.
5. Shim packs that worked loose.
6. Rusty shims.
7. Loose or sheared dowel pins.
8. Paint on shims.
9. Properly positioned piping hangars that carry the
weight of the piping.
 21 March 2015
VISUAL INSPECTION CHECKLIST

10. Piping expansion joints that move freely to accept

thermal or hydraulic movement.

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11. Loose piping flange bolts.
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
DIAL INDICATOR BASICS
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
DIAL INDICATOR BASICS
 21 March 2015
MACHINERY COMPONENT CHECKS

 Shaft lift check.

 Bearing radial clearance.

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 Thrust-bearing clearance check.

 Seals clearance checks.

 Coupling checks.
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
SHAFT LIFT CHECK.
 21 March 2015
SHAFT LIFT CHECK.

 The amount of lift on the shaft should be negligible (i.e.,

0 to maybe 0.006 mm) for AFB.

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 If there is an excess amount of shaft lift with AFB, four
possible reasons for this is as follows:
 The inner race of the bearing is loose on the shaft.
 There is too much clearance between the rolling elements and
the inner and outer raceways.
 The outer race is loose in its housing.
 A combination of two or more of the items above.
 21 March 2015
JOURNAL BEARING RADIAL CLEARANCE

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JOURNAL BEARING RADIAL CLEARANCE

21 March 2015
 Remove the upper
bearing half and place

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some Plastic gage or soft
solder on the top of the
shaft
JOURNAL BEARING RADIAL CLEARANCE

21 March 2015
 Install the upper bearing
half and tighten the bolts

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to the appropriate value
JOURNAL BEARING RADIAL CLEARANCE

21 March 2015
 Remove the upper
bearing half and measure

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the width of the Plastic
gage or thickness of the
soft solder
 21 March 2015
TILT AND TWIST IN A JOURNAL BEARING

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21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
THRUST BEARING CLEARANCE CHECK
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SEALS CHECKS
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COUPLING CHECKS.

 Inspect all the coupling bolts to assure they are all the
same length, diameter and grade, and that they all have

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the same number of nuts and washers.
 Inspect the keys and keyways of the coupling, driver, and
driven equipment.
COUPLING CHECKS.

21 March 2015
 NEVER ALIGN A
DEFECTED

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COUPLING !!!!!
 21 March 2015
RUNOUT

 Describes a condition where a rotating object is not

concentric or perpendicular with its centerline of

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rotation.
 There are two basic types of runout conditions, radial
and face runout.
 Radial runout quantifies the eccentricity of the outer surface
of a shaft or a component rigidly attached to a shaft with
respect to the shaft‟s centerline of rotation.
 Face runout quantifies the amount of perpendicularity error
that may exist at the end of a shaft or on surfaces of
components rigidly attached to a shaft.
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
RUNOUT
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
RUNOUT
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RUNOUT
 21 March 2015
RUNOUT

Shaft speed Maximum Accepted runout

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1800 rpm 0.12 mm

1800 to 3600 rpm 0.075 mm

3600+ rpm 0.05 mm

21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
RUNOUT
 21 March 2015
SOFT FOOT PROBLEMS
 Any condition where poor or no surface contact is made
between the underside of the machine feet and where

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they contact the base plate or frame.
 Depending on which sequence the foot bolts are
tightened down, the centerline of rotation can be shifted
into various positions, causing a considerable amount of
frustration when trying to align the machinery.
 Tightening down any foot bolts that are not making good
contact will cause the machine case to warp upsetting
critical clearances on critical components such as
bearings, shaft seals, mechanical seals, pump wear rings,
compressor staging seals, motor armature, or stator air
gaps, etc.
 21 March 2015
SOFT FOOT PROBLEMS

 Over time, residual vibration in the machine will begin to

loosen the foot bolts and the shim packs may possibly

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work out from under the feet with the soft foot condition.
With loose foot bolts comes the possibility that the
alignment may shift into undesirable positions.
 Localized high stress areas on the machine case may
begin to cyclically fatigue eventually cracking the
machine case .
 With loose feet, vibration in the machine will cause
fretting corrosion and repetitive impacting of the
machine case and mating frame damaging the surfaces.
 STEP 1. RELIEVE ANY STRESSES IN
MACHINE CASES AND BASE PLATES

21 March 2015
 Remove all of the existing
shim packs and set the

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machine cases flat down on the
base plate.
 Clean the underside of each
machinery foot and the points
of contact on the base plate.
 Install the foot bolts but do not
tighten them down. Try to
“center up” the machine cases
in their bolt-holes and “rough”
align both units.
STEP 1. RELIEVE ANY STRESSES IN
MACHINE CASES AND BASE PLATES

21 March 2015
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 STEP 2. CHECK FOR “ROCKING CASE”
CONDITIONS AND MEASURE THE GAPS
AROUND ALL OF THE FOOT BOLTS

21 March 2015
 With the foot bolts
completely removed, check

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to see if the machine can be
rocked. If it can, measure
four points around that bolt
point. Then measure four
points around each of the
remaining bolt-holes
 With the foot bolts in place
but not tightened down,
measure four points around
each bolt-hole .
STEP 3. CORRECTING THE SOFT FOOT
CONDITIONS

21 March 2015
 Installing shims. See shim sections
below.

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 To “feel” if the soft foot has been
eliminated. initially finger tighten
the bolt, put a wrench on the bolt
head and try to tighten it all the way.
If the bolt tightens very quickly (1/8
turn or less) the soft foot is probably
corrected. If you have to make a 1/4
or 1/2 turn on the wrench and the
foot feels “spongy,” the soft foot
probably still exists and you have to
try another shim pack
 21 March 2015
STEP 3. CORRECTING THE SOFT FOOT
CONDITIONS

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21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
SHIMS
STEP 4. VERIFYING THAT THE SOFT
FOOT HAS BEEN CORRECTED

21 March 2015
 Verify that the soft foot or
machine case and frame

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warpage problem has
been eliminated by one of
the following methods:
 Multiple bolt−multiple
indicator method
 Multiple bolt−single
indicator method
 Shaft movement method
 Single bolt−single
indicator method
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
SOFT FOOT EXAMPLE
 21 March 2015
MISALIGNMENT MEASUREMENT

 STRAIGHT EDGE / FEELER GAGE

 DIAL INDICATOR METHODS

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 FACE & RIM METHOD
 REVERSE METHOD

 LASER ALLIGNMENT
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
STRAIGHT EDGE / FEELER GAGE
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FACE & RIM METHOD
 21 March 2015
FACE & RIM METHOD

 The first dial indicator technique used to align rotating

machinery shafts.

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 The accuracy of this method is directly related to the
diameter the face readings.
 Advantages
 This is a good technique to use in situations where one of the
machinery shafts cannot be rotated.
 This is a good method to use when the face readings can be
taken on a fairly large diameter (typically 200 mm or greater).
 21 March 2015
FACE & RIM METHOD

 Disadvantages
 Not as accurate as the reverse indicator method if both shafts

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can be rotated and particularly if the face measurements are
taken on diameters less than 200 mm.
 If the machinery shafts are supported in sliding (plain or
sleeve) bearings, it is very easy to axially float the shafts
toward or away from each other when rotating the shafts
results in inaccurate face readings .
 Bracket sag must be measured and compensated for.
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
RIM DIAL INDICATOR
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RIM DIAL INDICATOR
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FACE DIAL INDICATOR

A
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FACE DIAL INDICATOR

A
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FACE DIAL INDICATOR

A
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FACE DIAL INDICATOR
VALIDITY RULE

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 (Left) + (right) = bottom

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WHY THE VALIDITY RULE DOES NOT WORK
PERFECTLY EVERY TIME.

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21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
BAR SAG
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BASIC MACHINE MEASUREMENTS
 21 March 2015
TAKING INDICATOR READINGS
 Rotate both shafts together.
 Rotate the machine in the direction of normal operation

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(especially if equipment has gears or tilt pad thrust
bearings)
 Never back up to get a reading.
 21 March 2015
VERTICAL ALIGNMENT

1. Attach the alignment bracket firmly to one shaft and

position the indicators on the face and rim surface of

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the other shaft (or coupling hub).
2. Zero the indicators at the 12th o'clock position.
3. Slowly rotate the shaft and bracket arrangement
through 180º 6th o'clock positions.
4. Record reading (plus or minus).
5. Return to the twelve o'clock position to see if the
indicators re-zero.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to verify the first set of
readings.
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
THE GRAPHICAL METHOD
 21 March 2015
THE GRAPHICAL METHOD

 The indicator readings must have their algebraic signs

changed.

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 The rim reading is divided by two.

 Assign rim point on the graph.

 From rim point draw a horizontal line to the same point

on the vertical line representing the face indicator.
 The recorded value of the face indicator is now counted
off from this point.
 Connect rim and face point with a line then extend this
line to IB and OB vertical lines.
 21 March 2015
THE GRAPHICAL METHOD

 Measure vertical distance on IB and OB lines to know

the required correction.

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

 Positive values means to remove shims, Negative values
means to add shims.
 21 March 2015
EXAMPLE
Stationary Machine Moveable Machine

IB R F IB OB
OB

Remove shims
ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
-R/2 -F Correction IB +

Correction OB -
A
D

Add shims
B

E C
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
NUMERICAL EXAMPLE
 21 March 2015
CALCULATOR METHOD

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

START CLR R ÷ 2 = +/-

CLR F ÷ A = +/-

× B = + = Correction IB

× C = + = Correction OB
 21 March 2015
NUMERICAL EXAMPLE

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

START CLR -8 ÷ 2 = +/-

CLR +2 ÷ A = +/-

-0.2 × 18 = + +4 = +0.4 IB

-0.2 × 48 = + +4 = -5.6 OB
 21 March 2015
HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT

 Zero both dial indicators on 9th o‟clock position.

 Rotate both shafts 180º to 3rd o‟clock position.

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

 Record both indicator readings.
 21 March 2015
THE GRAPHICAL METHOD
Stationary Machine Moveable Machine

IB R F IB OB
OB

Move left
ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
-R/2 -F Correction IB +

Correction OB -
A
D

Move right
B

E C
 21 March 2015
MOVING THE MACHINE IN THE
HORIZONTAL PLANE
 Move the machine while observing the alignment dial
indicators positioned in the 3 o‟clock position.

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

 The face indicator should go to zero.

 The rim indicator should go to 1/2 its reading.

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SHAFT AXIAL DISPLACEMENT COMPENSATION

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
THE REVERSE INDICATOR METHOD
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
THE REVERSE INDICATOR METHOD
 21 March 2015
THE REVERSE INDICATOR METHOD

 Can be used on 60%–70% of the rotating machinery in

existence .

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

 Still one of the preferred dial indicator methods for
measuring rotating machinery shafts.
 best suited for use when the distances between
measuring points on each shaft range from 75 to 750mm.
 Advantages
 More accurate than the face-rim method
 No effect for shaft axial displacement.

 Disadvantages
 Bracket sag must be measured and compensated for.
 Difficult to visualize the positions of the shafts from readings.
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
BASIC MACHINE MEASUREMENTS
 21 March 2015
TAKING INDICATOR READINGS
 Rotate both shafts together.
 Rotate the machine in the direction of normal operation

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

(especially if equipment has gears or tilt pad thrust
bearings)
 Never back up to get a reading.
 21 March 2015
VERTICAL ALIGNMENT

1. Attach the alignment brackets firmly to both shafts and

position the indicators on the perimeter of the other

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

shaft (or coupling hub).
2. Zero the indicators at the 12th o'clock position.
3. Slowly rotate the shaft and bracket arrangement 180º
stopping at the 6th o‟clock position.
4. Record reading (plus or minus).
5. Return to the twelve o'clock position to see if the
indicator(s) re-zero.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to verify the first set of
readings.
 21 March 2015
THE GRAPHICAL METHOD

 The stationary indicator reading is divided by two.

 Laid off reading on the stationary indicator line.

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

 The moveable indicator reading is divided by two and have
their algebraic signs changed.
 Laid off reading on the moveable indicator line.
 Draw a line connecting these two points, and extending
completely past the moveable machine‟s outboard foot line.
 Measure the amount of required movement on each foot
line.
 For positive value, shims must be removed.
 For negative values, shims must be added.
 21 March 2015
EXAMPLE
Stationary Machine Moveable Machine

IB S M IB OB
OB

Remove shims
ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
S/2 Correction IB +
M/2
Correction OB -
A
D

Add shims
B

E C
 21 March 2015
CALCULATOR METHOD

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

S + M = ÷ A = +/-

× B = + S = ÷ 2 = Correction IB

× C = + S = ÷ 2 = Correction OB
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
CALCULATOR METHOD
 21 March 2015
HORIZONTAL ALIGNMENT

 Zero both dial indicators on 9th o‟clock position.

 Rotate both shafts 180º to 3rd o‟clock position.

ABU QIR FERTILIZERS

 Record both indicator readings.
 21 March 2015
THE GRAPHICAL METHOD
Stationary Machine Adjustable Machine

IB S A IB OB
OB

Move left
ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
S/2 Correction IB +
-A/2
Correction OB -
A
D

Move right
B

E C
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
LASER ALLIGNMENT
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LASER ALLIGNMENT
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
EASY LASER SYSTEM
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SPM SYSTEM
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FIXTURE LASER
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POCKETALIGN
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OPTALIGN
21 March 2015 ABU QIR FERTILIZERS
ROTALIGN