Vibralign Blog

Job Safety| Precision Shaft Alignment

By James Pekarek on April 9, 2019

Over the past few years I have had training classes for the maintenance personnel at several ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains. These are some of the most memorable training trips I have had.  But apart from the beauty of these areas, there is one downside for some: the high altitude.  These resorts are typically […]

condition monitoring| Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker| machinery diagnostics| machinery vibration| SMC

By James Pekarek on March 13, 2018

When using the Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker (SMC) or any of VibrAlign’s Condition Monitoring Tools, there are typically only two variables you need to know for an accurate diagnosis of your machine.  You need the horsepower of the motor and the correct rotating speed.  This information will usually be stamped on the motor data plate.  […]

Alignment Troubleshooting| Precision Shaft Alignment| soft foot| Verti-Zontal Process

By James Pekarek on August 9, 2017

In the precision shaft alignment business, we encounter all types of electric motors.  One type we come across are “Rolled Steel Frame” (RSF) motors.  These motors have a frame housing and feet that are made from mild, rolled steel.  They range from very small up to about 25hp.  They are common in many industries; however, […]

bearing failures| maintenance reliability| troubleshooting

By James Pekarek on April 13, 2017

Everyone knows that keeping rotating equipment clean and free of debris and dirt will prolong the operational life allowing for maximum efficiency and performance.  Bearings, seals and other components will last longer and perform better plus repairs and alignments will be faster and easier. Motors, pumps and machinery with excessive dirt build-up will fail more often […]

machinery diagnostics| machinery vibration| maintenance reliability| ONEPROD Hawk

By James Pekarek on February 15, 2017

So you received your new OneProd HAWK Supervisor or HAWK Supervisor with Balancing.  There are some steps to follow to insure your instrument is configured correctly. Nest Set-up:  You will need to make sure you are using only Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 (or higher) for the first connection and you will need to download MS […]

coupling failure| coupling wear| elastomer couplings| Precision Shaft Alignment| realigning America

By James Pekarek on January 12, 2017

A common misbelief that occasionally comes up in our precision shaft alignment training classes is that, elastomer insert flexible couplings are designed to allow misalignment between rotating machinery shafts.  This is not the case.  Although this type of coupling may be more forgiving to the effects of misalignment, they are definitely not intended to be […]

bearing failures| machinery vibration| Precision Shaft Alignment| seal failures

By James Pekarek on December 21, 2016

As a Millwright, Service Technician or any type of field or in-house Mechanic, we understand there is one main goal that we have in common, which is to keep the equipment running.  This includes repairing and minimizing downtime in the event of an unpredicted failure or breakdown.  Although it’s important to make repairs and perform […]

angular misalignment| offset and angularity| offset misalignment| Precision Shaft Alignment| shaft alignment tolerances| soft foot

By James Pekarek on September 22, 2016

When performing a precision laser shaft alignment, it is best to add or remove shims exactly as the display unit indicates.  There are circumstances when this may not be possible due to your assortment of shims, or when you want to “fudge” your shims slightly to keep the total number of shims low. (Clink for […]

bearing failures| coupling alignment| coupling wear| flexible couplings| misalignment| Precision Shaft Alignment

By James Pekarek on July 21, 2016

This is a common misconception in some industries surrounding flexible couplings. Some maintenance and production individuals believe that flexible couplings are designed to allow for a few degrees of misalignment.  This is not quite the case.  While flexible couplings do tolerate some amount of misalignment, this is not their intended purpose.  The greater the misalignment, […]

"bolt bound"| "thermal growth"| hold down bolts| Precision Shaft Alignment| Preventive maintance| troubleshooting

By James Pekarek on July 6, 2016

We work with clients in many types of harsh climates, from cold with rain, sleet, snow & ice to hot humid and hot & dry and everything in between. Whatever the climate, the need for equipment maintenance intensifies with the severity of the climate.  Harsh climate conditions will create situations where precision shaft alignment of […]

"shaft alignment"| Laser Alignment tools| Precision Shaft Alignment| realigning America| troubleshooting

By James Pekarek on April 6, 2016

As technical trainers, we travel all over the country visiting factories, mills, power plants and refineries.  Just to mention a few.  We see and work on equipment of every type and size. From small 10 HP electric motors and pumps moving cooling water, to house sized engines turning generators that power our cities. Out of […]

GO Wind| Laser Shaft Alignment| Wind Turbine Alignment

By James Pekarek on February 18, 2016

Precision alignment of the generator to the gearbox in a wind turbine (the high speed shaft) is critical to proper operation. 60 percent of wind turbine downtime is related to drive train failure: gearbox, generator, main shaft, and their associated bearings. We also know from industry studies that misalignment of rotating machinery is responsible for […]

Machinery Bases| Precision Shaft Alignment| Pump Bases| Pump Skids

By James Pekarek on November 4, 2015

One of the biggest problems facing maintenance personnel in the shaft alignment business is the quality of the equipment base. Poor mounting base or platform construction will almost always result in machine movement. If the moveable machine (or the stationary) is not mounted to a solid platform capable of withstanding the weight of the equipment […]

Fixturlaser NXA Pro| flexible couplings| Precision Shaft Alignment| Preventive maintance

By James Pekarek on August 26, 2015

A systematic preventive maintenance plan is crucial to the operation and reliability of rotating equipment in factories and power plants. In addition any building or company that has HVAC equipment, water and sewer systems or hydraulic systems requires people with good mechanical skills to keep the rotating machinery running. Most preventive maintenance programs include pump […]

"shaft alignment"| alignment| Laser Shaft Alignment| Precision Shaft Alignment

By James Pekarek on May 26, 2015

During a precision laser shaft alignment, we measure the setup dimensions and input these into the Fixturlaser Laser System Display Unit. The requisite dimensions are Stationary Sensor to Movable Sensor, coupling center to M Sensor, M Sensor to movable inboard foot, and foot to foot on the moveable machine. One dimension that shaft aligners occasionally […]