Vibralign Blog

Leveling| flatness| machine base flatness| Machinery Bases

By Michael Keohane on September 16, 2020

The Fixturlaser level is calibrated to earth level out of the box. If the level is used without a fixture it reads level directly. If a fixture is used, however, you must first qualify the level with the fixture. This is a very simple procedure when using the Fixturlaser NXA. Level measured with no fixture […]

flatness| machine base flatness| Machinery Bases| Leveling

By Michael Keohane on August 31, 2020

The Fixturlaser Level is a high precision two axis digital machinist level. The primary application is base leveling. The Fixturlaser Level offers the following advantages: Two axis live measurement Calibrated to earth level out of the box No line of sight required Immediate feedback with live values Documentation of results Simple to qualify to other […]

geometric measurement| Leveling| level| Pump Bases| Machinery Bases

By Tom Shelton on May 20, 2020

The Fixturlaser Level is a two-axis level sensor that can be used wherever precision level measurements are required. It can be used to level machine bases or beds, bearings and journals, or for measuring “twist” on linear guide ways. The accuracy is very precise with resolution down to 0.01 mm/m (.1mil/1”) with a range of […]

By Stan Riddle on March 31, 2020

Like many people worldwide, the ACOEM VibrAlign Training Team is grounded while we wait this virus out.  It is the right thing to do-for ourselves, our families, neighbors, co-workers, and nation. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t help YOU!  If you have questions about alignment, vibration, or reliability of your equipment, WE CAN HELP!  How? […]

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

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, […]

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

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 […]

measurements| alignment| efficiency| CNC

By VibrAlign Author on September 20, 2019

  What is your facility’s standard method for taking measurements of your CNC machines? What tools do you utilize to complete these measurements? In order for your machine shop or plant to run efficiency, it is important to take regular measurements of your machines. These measurements include: Levelness Squareness Spindle alignment Coaxility Spindle parallelism Taking […]

Laser Shaft Alignment| roughing in| Long Span Shaft Alignment| Leveling

By Steve Matthews on August 7, 2019

Recently, VibrAlign was called to consult with a customer to recommend a procedure and alignment tools for a very long-distance vertical pump alignment.  First, we will describe the machine and then how we aligned it.  This large raw sewage pump machine train begins at the driver level.  In this plant, floor levels are described by […]

cutting tools| machine shops| cnc machines

By VibrAlign Author on August 6, 2019

Do you work in the machine tool industry? What kind of tools do you use on a daily basis? There are a lot of industry-specific terms and tools that it can seem daunting to be familiar with all the necessary tools and their functions. That’s why in this blog we wanted to lay out for […]

runout| machine tools| measurement| cnc machines| coaxiality

By VibrAlign Author on August 5, 2019

If you’ve worked with machine tools before, you’ve likely heard the terms coaxiality, runout, cylindricity, roundness, and total runout, but do you know what each means? In this post we will lay out each of these terms so that you know what each means and so you are able to grasp the difference between them, […]

alignment| CNC| MEAX| measurement| machine tools

By VibrAlign Author on August 2, 2019

Are you having trouble holding tolerances on your precision machined customer parts? There can be many causes for this, but one reason could be that your machine may not be in alignment. How often do you verify that you turning center or multi-axis milling machine is within factory standards? A number of variables can cause […]

level| CNC| machine tools| measurements

By VibrAlign Author on July 31, 2019

Leveling your CNC machine is a very important function that you can perform on it. A level machine is critical to optimizing its capability and essential to producing the highest quality of machined parts for a myriad of applications. If you work with CNC machines, you undoubtedly know the importance of keeping your machine level–it […]

alignment| predictive maintenance| machine tools| alignment checks| wrecks| crashes| level

By VibrAlign Author on July 24, 2019

This is not an easy question to answer. We all know that machines can move and don’t stay level forever. Do you ever have a crash on your machine that could throw off the alignment? While we hope this doesn’t happen often, the reality is, crashes and wrecks do happen.  However, there are some things […]

cost per part| machine shops| costs| MEAX| machine tools

By VibrAlign Author on July 23, 2019

Knowing your cost per part is critical to ensuring your machine shop is operating efficiently. But how do you calculate this? Here is a simple equation to calculate cost per part: Total fixed costs + Total variable costs ÷ Total units produced Fixed costs include things like building rent, insurance for employees, and other overhead […]

machinery diagnostics| condition monitoring| Vibration Analysis| Precision Shaft Alignment

By VibrAlign Author on July 16, 2019

I read that Albert Einstein once said, “I don’t need to know everything, I just need to know where to find it when I need it.” If one did some research, that may not necessarily be true. However, if a question comes up, it’s always helpful to have resources to refer to. When it comes […]