Vibralign Blog

"jacking bolts"| hold down bolts| jack bolts| Precision Maintenance| Precision Shaft Alignment| push bolts

By Tom Shelton on September 20, 2018

Correct fastener torque is important for proper assembly of rotating machinery components to machine bases. Proper torque insures that the fastener will perform as designed. This will in turn help your machine to perform as designed. Hold down bolts and jacking bolts are typically manipulated while performing a precision shaft alignment. These are often the […]

"torque wrench"| aligning machinery| bolt torque| hold down bolts| maintenance reliability| Precision Shaft Alignment

By Tom Shelton on June 27, 2018

One of the most under-rated procedures of the precision shaft alignment process is the TIGHTENING SEQUENCE of the hold down bolts on the movable machine. Also, tightening the bolts to proper torque specifications is many times considered unnecessary and is just not typically done. Tightening sequence and proper bolt torque are critical to the performance […]

Documentation| Fixturlaser NXA Pro| Fixturlaser NXA Ultimate| Precision Shaft Alignment

By Stan Riddle on May 23, 2018

When a machine is checked, and found to be out of alignment, the “as found” alignment data can be saved.  Soft foot checks and corrections can also be saved. Continue with the alignment, and when in tolerance save the “as left” alignment. Exit to the Main Menu of the NXA, then press the File Cabinet […]

"shaft alignment"| Alignment tolerances| Pre-Alignment| Precision Shaft Alignment| soft foot| troubleshooting

By Mac MacCormack on May 15, 2018

One of the many things I love about my job is the numerous challenges we face during the field alignment portion of our Precision Shaft Alignment Training. Prior to the training, there were some repeatability issues when attempting to perform a precision alignment on this piece of equipment. One of the main causes of non-repeatability […]

Machinery Installation| Machinery Installation and Best Practices| Machinery maintenance| Precision Maintenance| Precision Shaft Alignment| precut shims| shims

By Tom Shelton on May 3, 2018

The difference between luck and success is this; Luck is when you achieve a desired result despite mistakes made along the way. Success is when you follow a known process to achieve the expected result. When attempting a precision shaft alignment, precise practices must be followed. One thing for certain in precision alignment is the […]

"cooling tower alignment"| Alignment tolerances| Cooling Towers| offset and angularity| Precision Shaft Alignment| spacer shaft| spacer shaft alignment

By Michael Keohane on April 25, 2018

The majority of precision shaft alignments are relatively close coupled where there are only a couple of inches between the shaft ends of the driver and driven elements. Close coupled alignment quality is traditionally displayed as angle (driver to driven) and offset (at the center of the coupling). The question is what do you do […]

bar sag| dial indicator alignment| Precision Shaft Alignment| Repeatability| rim and face| rod sag

By Steve Gordon on April 17, 2018

And it just may be a lot more than you would think. While visiting a customer site to do an alignment check using the EVO laser alignment tool on a 1750 HP Electric Motor / Boiler Feed Water Pump / 3574 rpm, measurements were taken several times (x3) to make sure the values were repeatable.  […]

angular soft foot| machine base flatness| Pre-Alignment| Precision Shaft Alignment| Pump Bases| soft foot

By Brad Case on April 12, 2018

At first thought it may sound like a good idea as the specialized fasteners in the channel make it easy to tighten the motor hold down bolts, however in reality it’s a cause for precision shaft alignment issues. Here’s why. A good pump/motor base is engineered to meet specific standards (IE: ANSI, API, etc.) with […]

Laser Shaft Alignment| Obvious soft foot| Pre-Alignment| Precision Shaft Alignment| shims| soft foot

By Mac MacCormack on April 3, 2018

As we trainers travel around the country conducting precision shaft alignment training, we often run into some fairly harsh work environments during the field portion of the training. At times the equipment that needs to be aligned is caked in product from spills or leaks. This can create a significant challenge when attempting a precision […]

"coupling gap"| aligning machinery| coupling failure| coupling insert| flexible couplings| Precision Shaft Alignment

By Tom Shelton on March 28, 2018

Observing a training class of new mechanics can sometimes be a stressful proposition for a former field Millwright. Especially when said millwright has control issues.  As part of our Precision Shaft Alignment Training, the trainees move from the classroom setting into the field to practice what they have learned. Transferring the knowledge gained in a […]

angled soft foot| Obvious soft foot| Pre-Alignment| Precision Shaft Alignment| shim stack| soft foot

By Stan Riddle on March 4, 2018

It is both possible, and desirable, to minimize the negative effects of soft foot.  While it may be difficult to completely get rid of soft foot, it can typically be reduced to a few mils, if the following techniques are used. PREPARATION AND CLEANLINESS CLEAN! If you remove the motor, wipe the feet clean, before […]

angled soft foot| machinery diagnostics| Obvious soft foot| Precision Shaft Alignment| soft foot| Vibration Analysis

By Stan Riddle on February 26, 2018

Most industrial maintenance mechanics who are involved with precision shaft alignment are familiar with the phenomenon of soft foot.  From an alignment standpoint, soft foot causes: Changes in alignment values, between when the hold down bolts are loose, and when they are tight. Non-repeatability in alignment measurements, especially if the bolts are not tightened in […]

"coupling tolerance"| "foot tolerance"| "shaft alignment"| Alignment tolerances| machinery diagnostics| Precision Shaft Alignment

By Mac MacCormack on February 8, 2018

While on the road conducting precision shaft alignment training I run across a wide range of skill level. It is not uncommon to have a lot of questions. I like it when there are questions, that is usually an indication that the trainees are engaged. It is also not uncommon that a question starts with, […]

accelerometer| axis of rotation| Fixturlaser Smart Machine Checker| machinery diagnostics| machinery vibration| Precision Shaft Alignment| rotational axis

By Tom Shelton on February 1, 2018

Everything must have perspective, a point of view, to be communicated. To communicate the three spatial dimensions, we use the X,Y, Z coordinates. These denote height, width and depth. In referring to machinery we use the same X,Y, Z denotations, but we give them different values or meanings. To make it even more interesting, there […]

"bolt bound"| aligning machinery| cupped washers| hold down bolts| Precision Shaft Alignment| undercut bolts

By Stan Riddle on January 24, 2018

Fasteners are a critical component of the precision shaft alignment process, yet the importance of fasteners is many times overlooked.  If bolting is not selected, assembled, and torqued correctly, it can make the precision shaft alignment process less accurate, more difficult to achieve, and potentially harmful to the machines. While there are always unusual circumstances, […]