Vibralign Blog

Verti-Zontal| Precision Shaft Alignment

By The VibrAlign Blog on December 16, 2014

Another video in VibrAlign’s “Concepts of Shaft Alignment” video series is titled “Bearing Clearances”   The video illustrates radial and axial bearing clearances which can affect the precision shaft alignment process. The video was based on ideas for visualizing alignment created by David Zdrojewski, CEO of VibrAlign.  According to Zdrojewski, “One of my passions is […]

"shaft alignment"| "thermal offset"| "shaft alignment targets"| "thermal targets"| "alignment targets"| "thermal growth"| Precision Shaft Alignment

By Tom Shelton on December 11, 2014

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 […]

Dial Indicator Kit| Product of the Year| Fixurlaser EVO

By The VibrAlign Blog on December 5, 2014

VibrAlign, Inc., U.S. distributor of Fixturlaser shaft alignment products, is proud to announce that Plant Engineering has nominated both the Fixturlaser Dial Indicator Kit and the Fixturlaser EVO as finalists for the 2014 Product of the Year Award. The new Fixturlaser EVO laser alignment tool is highly compact, durable, and lightweight, making the unit easier […]

training| "shaft alignment"

By The VibrAlign Blog on December 5, 2014

VibrAlign, Inc., American distributor of Fixturlaser Alignment tools, is proud to announce the expansion of their offerings as a shaft alignment training provider. VibrAlign now employs six full-time, professional trainers. Stan Riddle, David Zdrojewski, Tom Shelton, Brad Case, James Pekarek, and Mac MacCormack will be leading training classes at VibrAlign’s Richmond office, their Houston, TX […]

ixturlaser dial indicator kit

By The VibrAlign Blog on December 5, 2014

Fixturlaser has developed a new dial indicator kit specifically designed to perform reverse dial alignments using the Verti-Zontal Compound Moves™ method. The Verti-Zontal method was developed by VibrAlign to make shaft alignments quicker and easier. It achieves this by reducing both the amount of bolt loosening and tightening as well as the number of moves […]

"shaft alignment"| Laser Alignment tools| Laser Shaft Alignment| "precision alignment"

By Stan Riddle on November 13, 2014

For precision shaft alignment, nothing beats a good laser alignment tool. But the best of tools can have errors, or not even work at all, if the Sensors (detectors) can’t “see” the laser beams! We received a customer support call, and the aligner stated that his laser alignment tool wasn’t repeating. This is a rare […]

"bolt bound"| "precision alignment"| "shaft alignment"| aligning machinery| "base bound"| Precision Shaft Alignment

By Tom Shelton on November 6, 2014

Precision shaft alignment of rotating equipment is an essential part of any solid preventative maintenance program. To accommodate aligning any type of machinery you must be able to move one of the elements of the machine to achieve a precision shaft alignment. There are many limiting influences that could cause you to not be able […]

OL2R| "Cardan Shafts"| Precision Shaft Alignment| "alignment targets"| "thermal offset"| "thermal growth"

By Michael Keohane on October 29, 2014

OL2R Measurements (Offline To Running) are used to collect very accurate (and actual) Thermal Growth Values and Targets for critical rotating machinery. Offset Measurements (Cardan Shaft) are critical for offset drives to ensure there is no angular misalignment causing lead/lag issues with the drive shafts resulting in production related quality problems. Both the OL2R and […]

Alignment tolerances| "shaft alignment"| "alignment targets"| "precision alignment"| Verti-Zontal| "Fixturlaser GO Pro"

By Brad Case on October 13, 2014

The night before the OJT portion of a recent Fixturlaser GO Pro Training class, at a Combined Cycle Power Plant, the shim packs of the disc type coupling between a 3300 HP electric motor and fluid drive began to fail. The machine was shut down before any damage could occur and was waiting for our […]

coupling alignment| flexible couplings| "shaft alignment"| "precision alignment"| Alignment tolerances

By Stan Riddle on October 8, 2014

A coupling alignment tolerance and a shaft alignment tolerance are different things – VERY different things! A Coupling Alignment Tolerance is often (but not always) the maximum amount of misalignment the coupling will operate at before premature failure. A Shaft Alignment Tolerance is the maximum amount of misalignment the shafts can tolerate before they begin […]

"jacking bolts"| "precision alignment"| "shaft alignment tools"

By Tom Shelton on October 2, 2014

Many of our classroom discussion topics relate to problems in the field when attempting a precision shaft alignment of rotating equipment. One such topic is how to move a piece of equipment horizontally that does not have jack bolts already mounted on the base. The obvious answer is to mount a set of jack bolts […]

Laser Shaft Alignment| Verti-Zontal| flexible couplings| Pre-Alignment

By James Pekarek on September 23, 2014

During the OJT portion of a Fixturlaser NXA Pro training class, at a power plant, the students asked me to allow them to perform the precision laser shaft alignment of a 75 HP electric motor to pump without interrupting them or offering any advice. I obliged and let them go on their way. The first […]

"Realign America"| Alignment tolerances| mechanical seals

By Mac MacCormack on September 17, 2014

After completing a recent training class, I had opportunity to ask our customer what were some of the highest cost failures they experienced. The answer? Mechanical seal failures. Mechanical seals come in a wide variety of configurations and manufacturers. The cost of these seals can range from $1000 to $3000 per inch of shaft diameter. […]

"shaft alignment"| aligning machinery| "precision alignment"| "bolt bound"

By Stan Riddle on September 10, 2014

Simply stated, a machine train is when three or more machine components are coupled together, acting as one.  Machine train alignment can sometimes be a complicated task. Some laser alignment tools can measure machine trains of up to several machines, simplifying the move options.  Whether you have a machine train program or not, by using […]

Pre-Alignment| aligning machinery| "precision alignment"| Dial Indicators| "shaft alignment"

By The VibrAlign Blog on August 28, 2014

The 4th video in VibrAlign’s Concepts of Shaft Alignment video series is entitled  “Runout”. The video describes what runout is and depicts how to properly measure for runout to determine if coupling eccentricity and/or a bent shaft is the source of the runout. The video series was based on ideas for visualizing alignment created by […]