By Blake Parker
Technical Education Committee Member
Integrated Power Services
Laser alignment tools have taken a once complex task and greatly simplified horizontal and vertical shaft alignment. It can be tempting to take the laser out of the case and rely on the laser to guide you through alignment. A few preliminary steps can help minimize the time needed for precision alignment.
- When possible, check the alignment of the machine prior to mechanically disconnecting it. This can help you understand if thermal growth offsets were used in the past. In the event the newly installed machine experiences high vibration, you can align back to the as-found condition to determine if that is a contributing factor to the vibration.
- Ensure the coupling is in good condition.
- Use a straight edge for initial alignment. Utilizing a straight edge will allow the elimination of gross misalignment quickly. The laser alignment tool functions best when gross misalignment has been eliminated.
- Utilize new hardware; oversized structural washers may be necessary when holes are more than 1/8” (3mm) greater in diameter than the hardware to prevent “belling” of the washers.
- Do not reuse damaged shims. Do not use more than five shims for any foot. Utilize custom ground shims if needed to reduce the number of shims required.
- Check for soft foot, torquing the bolts to the actual specification each time. These plus other good precision maintenance practices will streamline machine alignment in the field
