Alignment – Positioning two or more machines so that the rotational centerlines of their shafts are colinear at the power of transmission point under operating conditions. Alignment specifications or targets – Desired intentional misalignment of MTBM (Machine To Be Moved) to compensate for thermal growth and/or dynamic loads. Most commonly specified as coupling target. Angularity [...]

Many end users have taken laser alignment equipment and “checked” alignments on equipment that has been running satisfactorily, and very often with vibration data that falls well within alarm thresholds, only to find the alignment out of normal alignment tolerances. In this instance, the vibration data should be the determining factor. If the equipment is [...]

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced the winners in its 2012 National Craft Championships competition, held at the association’s EdCon & Expo, April 24-27 in San Antonio.  “ABC is honored to recognize the winners of the National Craft Championships for their high-quality workmanship, technical knowledge and safe work practices,” said 2012 ABC National Chairman [...]

There is more to proper shimming of a machine for alignment than meets the eye. There are several things you should keep in mind and look out for. First and foremost, you should be using high quality precut slotted stainless steel shims, such as Lawton Precut SS-304 Shims. If you think cutting your own shims [...]

If you are aligning very critical machines and your laser system does not offer you the ability to apply vector tolerances, you can still do so manually, by keeping these criteria in mind: The standard industry norms of 2 mils offset and 0.3 mils per inch of angularity at 1800 rpm equate roughly to vectors [...]

Measuring machinery misalignment with today’s tools, particularly computerized laser alignment systems and well-designed bracketing, is no longer as difficult a task as it once was, when all you had were a straight edge, feeler gauges and maybe a set of dial indicators with some make-shift hardware. Why then, is it that aligning the machinery to [...]