Vibralign Blog

the validity rule| "repeatability"| Precision Shaft Alignment

By Michael Keohane on February 5, 2020

The validity rule is an important concept in precision shaft alignment. It can be used to confirm that your readings are accurate and is why we don’t have to rotate a full 360 degrees in order to get accurate alignment information. Here is a previous blog post with an embedded video that discusses dial indicator […]

machinery diagnostics| condition monitoring| OneProd Nest| machinery health

By Chris Troutt on January 28, 2020

Once you have moved your data back into the Nest, after a Route has been collected, you may want to provide a report or reports to different parts of an organization. The Nest has several ways of generating a couple different types of custom reports. For your discussion we will focus on a global report […]

Wind Turbine Alignment| Verti-Zontal Process| adjustable chocks

By Brad Case on January 15, 2020

  Precision shaft alignment of wind turbine generators mounted on adjustable chocks is as straightforward as when aligning rotating machinery mounted on chocks down at ground level. In the case of a recent NXA Training Class in a Vestas V82 we knew before going up-tower that one revolution of the adjustable chocks equals 1mm. Also, […]

"thermal growth targets"| "compressor alignment"| Dynamic Movement

By VibrAlign Author on January 9, 2020

The two main types of compressors are dynamic and positive displacement. The positive displacement compressor is probably the one you’re most familiar with.  It traps gas in a volume and then decreases that volume.  The decrease in volume causes a rise in pressure. A dynamic compressor uses a rotating element (usually called an impeller) which […]

machine base flatness| compressor frame flatness| geometric measurement| Repeatability

By VibrAlign Author on January 2, 2020

In a previous blog written by Brad Case (Sept 24, 2019), he explained how to perform a repeatability test and why it is good idea to do so. Here are few other items that have contributed to repeatability issues. 1)      The top rails were not sufficiently clean prior to taking readings. Paint was not removed, […]

machinery diagnostics| pump vibration| Smart Machine Checker| bearing defects| bearing installation

By Tom Shelton on December 16, 2019

At a recent Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker (SMC) training class, one particular pump came up during the discussions. This pump has been “a problem child” for years. It had been rebuilt recently by one of the class attendees. The mechanic had rebuilt the pump “just as it had come apart” and was certain the impeller […]

condition monitoring| OneProd Nest| data collection

By Chris Troutt on December 9, 2019

Setting up routes is a very easy process in the ONEPROD NEST software and allows you to move machines into any order to allow for expeditious data collection. However, sometimes points need to be rearranged within the machine. Take the gearbox below for example.  Due to its size you don’t want to have to walk […]

"machine train"| Precision Shaft Alignment| Extruder Alignment

By VibrAlign Author on November 6, 2019

For the field portion of a recent training class, the decision was made to check the alignment on a plastic extruder. At first glance, checking the alignment of the motor shaft to gearbox input shaft is pretty straightforward. However, the output side of the gearbox had two shafts, so maybe this is not so straightforward. […]

Vibration Analysis| bearings| spectrum

By VibrAlign Author on October 30, 2019

How do you know if a bearing is about to fail? Bearings don’t last forever and can be damaged if proper precautions are not taken, so it’s important to know the signs of impending bearing failure. In this blog, we will go over the four stages of bearing failure and how this tends to show […]

Vibration Analysis| mechanical looseness

By VibrAlign Author on October 29, 2019

Mechanical looseness is a common diagnosis in vibration analysis. You will certainly run into it when you are monitoring your machines if you haven’t already. However, did you know that there are three different types of mechanical looseness? Knowing which type of mechanical looseness you are dealing with is essential to providing the correct solution […]

Balancing| OneProd Falcon| rotor unbalance| unbalance| Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker

By Stan Riddle on October 9, 2019

In our last “How To” we talked about the trial run – using a trial weight and location, to calculate the amount and location of a correction weight, which should correct the unbalance.  Most modern-day balancing tools do the math for you.  Even though these tools calculate the correction weight and location, it is good […]

efficiency| reliability program| accuracy

By VibrAlign Author on October 7, 2019

Implementing a reliability program in your facility can have numerous benefits. Just a few of these include: Greater efficiency Reduced costs Better organization Increased understanding of machine trends Less frustration in the workplace Streamlined process The list could go on. Few of us are likely to disagree that a reliability program for your machines and […]

Vibration Analysis| unbalance| spectrum| frequency| vibration program

By VibrAlign Author on September 30, 2019

  Vibration analysis is a useful way to monitor machine health. Many plants have implemented regular vibration analysis plans to ensure the condition of their machines is being checked at regular intervals and so, if an issue comes to light after spectral analysis, a solution can be pursued. When analyzing vibration, it is important to […]

Fixturlaser NXA Ultimate| compressor frame flatness| Repeatability| reciprocating compressors| Ariel ER82

By Brad Case on September 24, 2019

When performing the Ariel ER-82 Top Plane Compressor Frame Measurement, surrounding reciprocating compressors in operation may cause repeatability issues due to excessive vibration. To compensate for high/excessive vibration the Sampling Time (measurement time at each measurement location) in the Fixturlaser NXA Ultimate can be lengthened as needed. The NXA has a built in Repeatability Test […]

Vibration Analysis| unbalance| looseness| spectrum

By Chris Troutt on September 20, 2019

  What is the difference between looseness and unbalance? They have very similar spectrums with different influencers. One can even impact the other in some situations. That similarity can impact your ability to balance a machine expeditiously in the field. For clarity of this discussion we will limit it to Type A and B mechanical […]