 Belt Alignment
Sheave alignment pulls efficiency in the right direction.
V-belt Drive Alignment
Conventional wisdom has long had it that v-belt drives, which transmit power with 90 to 98% efficiency, are very forgiving of loose tolerances. But when belts, pulleys and bearings wear out prematurely, it becomes clear just how wrong this notion is; and how important correct alignment and belt tension are to efficiency and mean time between repairs. Poor alignment is misalignment; and misalignment is the main cause of excessive vibration in flexible drives and ››bearings.
Belt pulley alignment problems can be easy to spot
- High motor-drive end-bearing operating temperature
- Abnormally high noise levels, often with thumping or squealing
- High vibration (high 1x axial vibration; high 1x and 2x radial)
- High motor-current readings
- Noticeably increased belt/sheave wear before anticipated replacement date
- Un-even belt tension on a multi-belt sheave
Replacing belts should always come first
Replacing belts should always include aligning the drive. If the belt or sheave failed, finding out why can prevent a reoccurrence. Incorrect belt tension and sheave misalignment may be likely causes, but so can using the wrong belts, installing belts improperly by forcing them on, an overload condition, or an environmental factor such as hours of harsh, direct sunlight every day. Inspect the belts, sheave, grooves - everything - for damage, including if the shaft is bent. After performing sheave rim (radial) and face (axial) runouts to tolerance, replace all belts with new ones that have been properly stored, come from the same manufacturer, and preferably are packaged in a matched set. Be sure to tighten all bolts and setscrews to their correct torques.
Using a laser belt alignment tool aligns the drive fast
Sheave misalignment can involve any combination of axial offset and vertical and horizontal angularities. The time-and-labor intensive straightedge-and-string method is problematic at best, unable to differentiate horizontal and offset angles, or detect twist angle in every instance.
The Belt Hog from VibrAlign
The ››Belt Hog offers a better solution for belt and pulley alignment. Unlike other belt alignment tools based on a single laser, the Belt Hog uses two transmitters to produce two laser beams. Also unlike other models, it mounts directly in pulley grooves to check and correct angular, parallel and twist deviations. It checks all three simultaneously, giving live feedback as pulleys are repositioned. Proper tensioning of the belts, with the Belt Hog in place to monitor alignment, completes the maintenance. Running the machine for a few hours seats the belts.
For belt-drive fans and mixers to pulpers and more, proper sheave alignment has genuine benefits
Fans, mixers and pulpers are driven by coupled shafts or belts. They all need to be aligned for cost effective and trouble-free operations.
Benefits of proper belt pulley alignment:
- Increases lifetime of belts, bearings, seals and couplings
- Reduces vibrations and noise
- Minimizes scheduled downtime
- Lessens risk of unplanned stops
- Extends operating time between services
- Saves on energy costs
For further information on belt alignment systems from VibrAlign
VibrAlign engineers and technicians can assist your company on its belt alignment needs as well as any and all shaft alignment needs. For further information, product brochures, or to arrange onsite alignment of plant machinery, please ››contact VibrAlign at 800-394-3279 or info@vibralign.com.
|
