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Converting Dial Indicator Cold Alignment Targets with the Fixturlaser NXA

Even though laser shaft alignment systems have been in use for over 3 decades some industries have alignment tolerances and cold alignment targets in dial indicator terms or language. Take for instance the gas compression and processing industry. Many OEM’s, packagers, end users, and service companies use laser alignment systems, however their cold alignment targets…

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Using the AlignHot App (Hot Check) to Determine Thermal Growth Targets

A previous blog of mine discussed the benefit of taking a set of hot alignment readings to verify if the offset targets used for a cold alignment, to compensate for thermal growth (dynamic movement), were correct.  http://acoem.us/blog/2015/04/15/benefit-hot-alignment-check/ So what if the actual hot alignment readings you get show a large difference from the anticipated hot…

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Understanding Alignment Target Data from the VibrAlign ThermAlign App

Dynamic Movement, often thought of as thermal growth, is a hot topic among alignment professionals (I’ll be here all week!). Plant Services Magazine in conjunction with VibrAlign recently hosted a webinar on this subject (details below). One of the more popular ways to compensate for thermal growth is through the use of a thermal growth…

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The Benefit of a “Hot” Alignment Check

There have been numerous posts on the Acoem blog dealing with Thermal Growth and Dynamic Movement of rotating machinery. https://acoem.us/blog/?_new_facet=dynamic+movement Thermal Growth continues to be a subject that is discussed and taught in our training classes, though on a daily basis is not always correctly compensated for in industry. Many maintenance personnel performing precision shaft…

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OL2R – The True Measure of a Machine’s Movement

OL2R is the acronym for OffLine 2 Running. OL2R is an optional program and special precision bracket set that is available for the Fixturlaser NXA Pro & Ultimate (also XA Pro & Ultimate). This option allows the shaft aligner to accurately measure vertical AND horizontal changes of machines from a static (OffLine) position to a…

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“Where can I get alignment specifications?”

This is a question that comes up surprisingly often in our training classes. The question is usually regarding Thermal Growth offsets (dynamic movement) and shaft alignment tolerances. There are several ways to obtain the data in question. The easiest and most readily available would be the equipment manufacturer. Most companies will supply specific offset and…

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Calculating Foot Target Values

A couple of weeks ago we calculated cold alignment targets from field data. We ended up with angles and offsets but the class wanted to go through the math involved in calculating the foot values. It was an interesting math exercise so if you’re up for some brain stretching, follow along. Here are our target…

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How Does Calculating Your Own Alignment Targets Work?

A recent training class offered us an opportunity to check both the hot and cold alignment conditions on a blower. It was a great time to calculate our own thermal offset values from field data and compare them to the OEM recommendation. So how do we go about doing this? Why would we even want…

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