Reposted from EASY-LASER® blog

1. FAST AND ACCURATE
   Laser alignment can be done ten times faster and much more accurately compared with dial gauges or straight edge methods (depending on the user’s skill). A dial setup will not measure down to 0.001 mm – but a laser can!
2. QUICK TO SET UP, EASY TO USE, AND HIGHLY RELIABLE
   A laser alignment system is quick to set up, easy to use, and much more reliable than old technology. The latter often requires extensive experience and sometimes complicated calculations to be used. For example, fixtures for dial gauges always sag a little, which affects the accuracy of the gauge’s displayed value. This does not occur with laser alignment.
3. POSSIBILITY TO GENERATE REPORTS WITH RESULTS
   With a laser alignment system, it is possible to generate PDF reports directly from the instrument. The computer handles targets and tolerances and makes it easy to interpret the results. The possibility of documenting the results gives better control over the machines and greater assurance. Reports can be generated for “before” and “after” alignment.
4. A TRUE REPRESENTATION OF MACHINE FRAME DISTORTION
   For soft foot issues, regardless of what is going on at the feet, you get a true representation of the movement between the rotating axes of the shafts you are aligning. Dial readings only tell you what’s happening at the feet—not a true representation of soft foot!
5. THE SPEED AND PRECISION SAVE YOU MONEY
   The speed of use and the precision in alignment mean that investing in a laser-based shaft alignment system usually pays for itself within 3-6 months.
6. A DISCIPLINED AND REPEATABLE PROCESS
   Laser alignment systems make the process of measurement and correction much more disciplined and repeatable. Straightedges and dial gauges are not sufficiently accurate for today’s modern machines. Using laser alignment always gives the same results regardless of who takes the measurements.
7. EASY TO LEARN AND TO USE
   You don’t have to be a specialist to get the correct result. With a wireless display unit, you can follow the machine movement with live values at the points where you adjust the machine, not just where the dial gauges are mounted.
8. EXPAND ALIGNMENTS AND MEASUREMENTS
   With the best laser alignment systems you can expand the types of alignments and measurements you can do. You will then be able to take care of all important steps of machine setup, for example, base flatness and twist, and also measure straightness.
9. POSSIBILITY TO MEASURE WITH A SMALL SHAFT ROTATION
   With laser alignment, it is possible to measure even with a small shaft rotation, for example only 70 degrees. This solves the problem when piping and machine parts are in the way preventing a greater rotation.
10. REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION
    Laser alignment allows precise measurements that reduce your energy consumption in the long term. Poorly aligned machines require more energy to achieve the same results than well-aligned ones. Reduced energy consumption is not only good for your electricity bill, but of course also for the environment.
11. ERROR-FREE AND HIGH-RESOLUTION TECHNOLOGY
    Old technology may have too low a resolution to measure accurately enough and may be subject to reading errors or sticking dial hands. Laser alignment systems are based on high-resolution non-contact technology and are free from such errors.
12. ELIMINATION OF HARDWARE SAG AND SETUP MISTAKES
    With laser alignment, you eliminate errors associated with old technologies such as bar sag, substandard dial bar, and mistakes when installing up the indicator clamps.