Blog

When setting up your laser alignment system to align machine shafts, it is very convenient to have the right brackets for the job-ready. The ROTALIGN ULTRA and OPTALIGN SMART feature fully assembled Compact Chain Brackets in the carrying case that are ready to go when you are. These can be used on a vast array of shaft or coupling diameters, from ½” to 20″ requiring no optional accessories, except for using a longer chain for the largest diameters.

Chain Brackets
Chain Brackets
Magnetic Brackets
Magnetic Brackets

On the rare occasions when the chain brackets won’t fit on the shaft of a particular machine, (such as when there is too little axial clearance between the coupling hub and the bearing housing of the machine, or radial obstructions to rotation interfere), it is perfectly acceptable to mount the fully assembled bracket on the coupling hub, provided that the coupling hub is rigidly attached to the shaft of the machine (i.e., avoid mounting on the floating cover of a gear coupling, say.)

When a suitable radial surface on the rigid coupling hub is not available, or the hub is cone-shaped, it may be better to use the compact Magnetic Bracket System, which mounts to the axial face of the rigid coupling hub, or the Narrow Bracket System which requires only 5/16″ inch axial clearance on the shaft or hub.

For very large couplings, or where radial obstructions to rotation or to line-of-sight exist, consider using Magnetic Coupling Bolt Hole Brackets. These extremely versatile brackets are also useful for mounting to the faces of uncoupled shafts, flywheels, and gearboxes for aligning to bearing bores or stern tubes.

Filed under:
by Mario Rostran CRL