Vibralign Blog

base-bound/bolt-bound solutions| "base bound"| "bolt bound"| Fixturlaser NXA Pro| Precision Shaft Alignment| Fixturlaser NXA Ultimate

By Tom Shelton on June 12, 2017

A question often asked during our training classes is how to deal with base bound and/or bolt bound conditions when performing a precision shaft alignment on rotating machinery. Base bound is the vertical condition that occurs when the moveable machine needs to be lowered but is “bound” by the base due to an insufficient number […]

"base bound"| base-bound/bolt-bound solutions| aligning machinery| Fixturlaser NXA Pro

By Mac MacCormack on April 22, 2015

As any of the Vibralign trainers can attest, more often than not, when going out into the field on day two of a training class our clients want to perform a shaft alignment on their biggest challenge. When conducting training at a Waste Water Treatment facility, the decision was made to perform a precision shaft […]

"foot values"| "bolt bound"| Precision Shaft Alignment| "base bound"

By Stan Riddle on February 9, 2015

To the casual observer, precision shaft alignment of large machinery may look like “grunt work” a task that only requires a strong back. But those of us who perform shaft alignment know it is moving big heavy machines to within very small tolerances. As such, small movements can often make big differences in alignment quality. […]

"shaft alignment"| aligning machinery| "precision alignment"| "base bound"| "bolt 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 […]

Fixturlaser NXA| Pre-Alignment| "base bound"| Verti-Zontal| Precision Shaft Alignment

By James Pekarek on August 22, 2014

While assisting a recent Fixturlaser NXA Training Class with a precision shaft alignment we came across an unusual alignment challenge.  When tightening the hold down bolts, after making a Verti-Zontal Compound MoveTM, we were seeing insignificant amounts of horizontal movement at the motor feet but nothing unusual. However, upon rechecking the alignment, we were out of […]

Obvious soft foot| soft foot| aligning machinery| Pre-Alignment| "base bound"

By James Pekarek on June 10, 2014

The belly of your electric motor that is! During the OJT portion of a training class, at an Omaha NE client, I ran into a most extreme case of soft foot. The customer told me they had a motor/pump set that they could not align no matter what.  This was a 100 HP electric motor […]

"Fixturlaser GO Pro"| "shaft alignment"| "precision alignment"| "base bound"| "bolt bound"| Verti-Zontal

By Brad Case on May 10, 2013

Previous blogs have discussed several different solutions for solving Base Bound & Bolt Bound conditions when preforming precision laser shaft alignment (Base/Bound Math and Solving Base/Bound Alignment Alignment Problems). Sometimes though, the solution for a Bolt Bound issue is fairly straight forward and what you need to do is right in front of your eyes […]

base-bound/bolt-bound solutions| "Fixturlaser XA Pro"| "base bound"| "bolt bound"| "Realign America"

By Patrick Lawrence on March 12, 2013

Base-bound and bolt-bound problems do not need to be the end of your machine alignment. It just means the original rotational centerline of the stationary machine we want the movable machine to be co-linear with isn’t a practical solution. Most of the high-end laser alignment systems today have some kind of calculator to show alternate […]

"base bound"| "shaft alignment"| base-bound/bolt-bound solutions| "Fixturlaser XA Pro"| "bolt bound"

By Brad Case on November 12, 2012

If you align machinery for a living then more than likely you have encountered machines that are base-bound or bolt-bound. Base-bound is when the movable machine has to be lowered and there are either too few or no shims under the movable machine feet to accomplish the vertical alignment. Bolt-bound is when the movable machine […]

Dial Indicators| soft foot| "base bound"

By Patrick Lawrence on September 9, 2012

Sometimes we get wrapped up in our work. So much so that we forget to take a step back and get the big picture. Whether using dial indicators or a laser alignment tool for shaft alignment, backing up a few feet and taking in the whole system might give you some insight into how to […]

"bolt bound"| "Fixturlaser Go"| "shaft alignment"| "shaft alignment training"| "base bound"

By Stan Riddle on April 6, 2012

A manufacturing operation in western North Carolina recently purchased a Fixturlaser GO and shaft alignment training. This company is going through a multimillion dollar expansion. We decided, as part of the training, to check some alignments of recently ‘installed and precision aligned’ machinery. Tags like these were placed on the machines that were supposedly precision […]

VibrAlign| "base bound"| "bolt bound"| "cooling tower alignment"| "Fixturlaser XA"

By Stan Riddle on February 7, 2012

Aligning cooling towers with spacer shafts can sometimes present a challenge.  We recently provided alignment training and assistance to the HVAC Group at the Federal Reserve Bank in Richmond, VA. This was a Marley cooling tower, with a 60 HP motor, connected to the gearbox by a 48″ spacer shaft. That’s me, the trainer, inside […]