 Laser Alignment Equipment
Laser alignment equipment takes the measure of whatever industry needs lined up.
Laser Alignment Systems
Laser alignment equipment refers to laser-based systems that measure alignment of machines, rotating shafts, pulleys and belts, and other industrial devices. Laser alignment equipment can achieve a much higher level of alignment precision than such traditional methods of alignment as straight edges, feeler gauges, and dial gauges. Depending on the model, it's also very versatile equipment that can pay for itself in multiple ways by meeting all sorts of installation and maintenance needs.
Laser equipment keeps things as straight as they can be
To measure straightness, the laser transmits a beam that strikes a receiver placed on the surface to be measured. The transmitter unit's display instantly shows the height from the receiver's bottom to the beam's center. Taking several measurements in this manner provides a surface profile. Some common applications of straightness measurement are these.
- Lathe and spindle alignment
- Long-run bearing and shaft-support positioning
- Rail and track alignment
- Ram, actuator, and extrusion press deflections
- Roll flatness and profiles
- Shaft and drive alignment
- Slide, table and stage runout
- Surface deflection and bending in long structures
- Track and guide-rail bend and profiles
A laser alignment system measures a base in no time flat
A twisted or warped foundation, or one affected by ground settings, makes it difficult if not impossible to align machines with precision. Most of today's ››laser alignment systems include flatness measurement in their software that can quickly tell the operator if a base fulfills requirements for accuracy and repeatability over a number of measurement points. Adjustments can then be made at each point with live values, with results stored for filing and later reference if need be. Typical flatness measurements include:
- Assembling large fixtures
- Flanges and circular planes
- Foundations, base and sole plates
- Gantry and machine tool runout
- Machine beds
- Machinery and equipment positioning
- Roller and web system alignment
- Surface and assembly profiling
- Track, rail, and guide placement
Is it square? Perpendicular? Laser alignment equipment reveals the most certain answers
To measure squareness or perpendicularity, the laser beam is aligned to a machine axis or similar reference path and then redirected 90 degrees. Components and assemblies can then be aligned squarely to the original path of the laser. Some examples of checking squareness and perpendicularity include the following.
- Actuator and drilling system adjustment
- Belt, gear and sheave alignment
- Crosscutting system and guide adjustments
- Gantry rail and cross bridge alignment
- Machine tool Z-axis alignment
- Machinery and equipment squareness
- Sitter, idler and roller adjustment
- Squaring machine guides and pallet loaders
- Stacked linear stage squareness
- Track and assembly parallelism
- Variety of other geometric alignments
Laser alignment equipment helps keep relationships parallel
To measure and align for parallelism, laser alignment equipment establishes accurate parallel reference lines to use for comparison measurements. This function is ideal for checking machinery, web and roll systems, and all sorts of production equipment that has to operate in parallel with other equipment. Common applications cross many industries.
- Gantry slide and router assembly installation
- Injection molding machine columns
- Pallet loaders
- Parallel edges
- Roller and web handling alignment
- Sprocket and drive system alignment
- Track and guide rail alignment
- Unwind and take-up roll sections
Name an industry and it uses laser alignment equipment.
- Chemical and Pharmaceutical
- Construction
- General industry
- Manufacturing and processing
- Marine Craft and Shipbuilding
- Oil and Gas
- Paper and Pulp
- Water and Wastewater Pumping
- Wind turbines
Whatever has to operate on a common axis, a laser system can keep it there.
- Compressors
- Conveyors
- Couplings
- Direct-drive Fans
- Gearboxes
- Generators
- Mixers
- Motor-driven Pumps
- Propeller shafts
- Steam, gas and hydro turbines
- Transfer boxes
Laser shaft alignment tools
A number of respected companies design and engineer today's modern laser alignment equipment. Swedish manufacturer Fixturlaser is known around the world for systems with a unique combination of sophistication and ease of learning and use, especially in its ››Fixturlaser GO and ››Fixturlaser XA systems currently in use worldwide.
For further information on Fixturlaser systems from VibrAlign
VibrAlign is the North American distributor for the USA of Fixturlaser alignment systems and provides a variety of alignment field services, including comprehensive training. To discuss laser alignment equipment further or request a product brochure or onsite visit, please ››contact VibrAlign at 800-394-3279 or info@vibralign.com.
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