 Shaft Alignment
Properly Aligned Shafts Save Time & Money
Misalignment is the Culprit
Misaligned machinery will lead to component failure and downtime within your production
facility. It's not a question of if, but rather of when.
Misalignment increases forces which are detrimental to machinery reliability and cause deterioration in machinery
performance.
Misaligned machinery results in vibration and premature wear of bearings, seals and couplings. Misaligned equipment
can also affect the availability of the plant and result in increased energy consumption. Machines with rotating
shafts are designed to run under optimally aligned condition. Since misalignment is one of the leading causes of
equipment breakdown, the ability to easily measure,
align and document is a necessity.
Shaft Alignment Defined
Shaft alignment is the act of measuring the relative position of two machines
that are coupled and repositioning them so that the rotational axes of the
two shafts form a straight line (collinear) when the machines are at normal
operating temperatures. We think of misalignment as occuring in two forms, both of which are usually present:
- Offset Misalignment - If shafts are misaligned but still parallel we are experiencing "offset" misalignment. Offset
misalignment is expressed in mils (1 mil = 0.001").
- Angular Misalignment - Shafts that are no longer parallel are exhibiting "angular" misalignment.
Angular misalignment is expressed in mils per inch.
Methods to Achieve Shaft Alignment
Today there are a number of ways to achieve precise alignment that go far beyond simply using a string or a straight-edge. These include:
- Dial Indicators
- Laser Alignment Tools
Shaft Alignment Solutions from VibrAlign
VibrAlign can assist your company in all its shaft alignment needs. For further information, product brochures, or to arrange onsite alignment of plant machinery, please contact us at 800-394-3279 or info@vibralign.com.
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