Shaft Alignment of a Vertically-Oriented Motor with Feet

Vertically-mounted motors that are coupled may need alignment, whether they are C-faced or not. In cases where the motors are not C-faced, the shaft alignment is treated as a horizontally-mounted motor, with a couple exceptions. Here’s a quick walk-through on a Fixturlaser GO Pro.

1. Inclinometers cannot be used, since they cannot detect changes in the shafts as they are rotated (they work against gravity). In this configuration, they are always horizontal.
2. The Live Mode function should not be used when making corrections in what would normally be thought of as the vertical correction. This is due to the fact that as the motor bolts are loosened, the motor tends to lean away from the baseplate.

Step 1 – Mount your laser tool to the shafts. Choose horizontal alignment. Select the proper speed and insert your dimensions as you would normally.

Step 2 – Select the Toolbox and select the icon to turn inclinometers off (see image right). After this alignment is completed and saved and you have returned to the Main Screen, the inclinometers will go back to normal operation.
Since your inclinometers have been disabled, you must find another point of reference. The easiest way to picture this is that in the case of this shaft alignment, “vertical” is in the direction of the feet bolts, and “horizontal” is parallel to the base plate. An easy way to use this reference is by using a square to sight vertical and horizontal directions.

Step 3 – Measurements will be taken in Clock Mode. The first measurement will be taken at the 9 o’clock position. To orient yourself, picture yourself above the motor, leaning over the top. 9 o’clock would be on your left. Take the first measurement here.

Step 4 – Rotate the shafts 180° to the 3 o’clock position and take the second measurement.

Step 5 – The final reading will be taken with the shafts rotated to the 12 o’clock position.

Measurements are now complete.

Step 6 – Add or remove shims to correct the vertical as given on the results screen.

Gently snug the feet bolts and rotate the shafts to the 9 o’clock position. Live Mode can be used to monitor the horizontal moves.

Re-measure.

Facing an alignment problem that is out of the ordinary? Know of any other applications where this same method will work? Send us a message!