Alignment Measurement

Regular alignment measurement pays regular dividends.

Alignment Measurement in Industry

In industry, alignment measurement means measuring and adjusting alignment of two or more coupled, rotating shafts, as in those of a motor driving a fan or pump for example. The objective: align these shafts on a common centerline so that they operate efficiently.

Any degree of shaft misalignment means the driver (i.e. motor) shaft and driven (i.e. fan, pump, etc.) shaft will vibrate abnormally during rotation - and the more excessive the vibration, the greater the wear on bearings, seals, couplings, mountings and the shafts themselves. Oil temperature goes up. The increased load on the motor forces it draw more power to overcome the additional turning effort imposed on it. Eventually, if misalignment is left uncorrected, something fails and production stops for however long repairs take.

In today's economic climate, with its environmental concerns, every industrial company wants to draw power with as much efficiency as possible while also reducing carbon emissions. This in turn makes an alignment measurement program of vast importance wherever a production line involves rotating shafts.

As the North American distributor for the USA of Fixturlaser laser alignment systems, VibrAlign specializes in high-precision alignment measurement of rotating shafts in motors and plant machinery.

VibrAlign offers a range of products designed specifically for alignment measurement

Fixturlaser GO System for horizontal and vertical alignment

The economical ››Fixturlaser GO shaft alignment system is a full-featured laser system in a compact unit that performs precision alignment measurements of vertically and horizontal-mounted equipment.

Fixturlaser XA System for horizontal and vertical alignment

In feature after feature, the ››Fixturlaser XA system is the ultimate expression of "Express alignment by Fixturlaser." It provides complete on-screen guidance in graphic animation on a backlit touch screen; comes with horizontal and vertical alignment and softfoot compensating capabilities standard; uses CCD-technology and a line laser for fast, exact measurements no matter where the laser beam strikes the detector; comes with wireless data transfer for easy, full documentation; and has an express mode for fast alignments.

Fixturlaser XA upgrade fixture for machine train alignment

A machine train is typically found at the most critical stage of production; is more costly to production when it goes down; and is the most expensive breakdown to fix. Adding the machine train upgrade enables the Fixturlaser XA system to guide a user to the best choice of reference machine and then perform the alignment procedure just as one would for a motor and pump.

Fixturlaser XA upgrade fixture for offset-mounted machines

A cardan shaft not only requires alignment, when misaligned it rotates with uneven angular speed over the full length of its shaft. As such, it poses similar risks as other misaligned shafts to efficiency and uptime. Adding the cardan-shaft upgrade allows the Fixturlaser XA system to align offset-mounted machines to reduce wear on gearboxes, bearings and joints, and likely avoid cardan shaft failure.

Fixturlaser XA OL2R fixture for dynamic measurement

Adding the dynamic measurement upgrade enables the Fixturlaser XA system to compensate correctly for dynamic movements - thermal growth, pipe strain, surrounding cooling effects, load forces - when measuring and aligning high-speed machines from hot to cold or vice versa. The even more precise alignment that results, enables machines to operate at their absolute maximum.

Laser alignment systems for smaller budgets

Shaft Hog

The handheld ››Shaft Hog displays live data on a sharp, monochromatic display and gives instant feedback to eliminate any guesswork in shimming or moving machines for alignment.

Belt Hog

The simple-to-operate ››Belt Hog pulley alignment tool is the only one of its kind with two laser transmitters that also mounts directly in belt or pulley grooves to check and correct alignment.

For further information about alignment measurement

VibrAlign provides a full range of onsite alignment services that identify and correct misalignments, monitor energy consumption, and calculate cost savings. For further information on alignment measurement, to request a product brochure, or to arrange onsite service, please ››contact VibrAlign at 800-394-3279 or info@vibralign.com.