Vibralign Blog

Precision Shaft Alignment| "shaft alignment"| Laser Shaft Alignment

By Brad Case on April 16, 2020

During several recent technical support calls, regarding the Fixturlaser Laser Kit, the clients asked the same questions about the LEDs on the sensors and several warnings that pop-up on the display. Others may have the same questions, so I thought it worthwhile to discuss here. S & M Sensor LEDs: The amber LEDs illuminate when […]

Fixturlaser NXA| "shaft alignment"| Documentation| alignment data| information

By VibrAlign Author on July 9, 2019

Documenting and saving alignment data is critical to being able to achieve repeatable shaft alignments. It also helps you maintain an effective predictive maintenance plan that will ensure your plant runs smoothly.  When a machine is experiencing a problem, it will save a lot of time if you can look back on recorded data from […]

data centers| "shaft alignment"| Pre-Alignment| soft foot

By VibrAlign Author on June 21, 2019

  Knowing how to perform a precision shaft alignment is important when it comes to maintenance skills. Whether you are using dial indicators or a laser alignment tool (if you are in the market for either, we have several options here), being able to achieve an accurate, repeatable alignment is key. A few reminders: The […]

"shaft alignment"| Machinery maintenance| data centers| condition monitoring

By VibrAlign Author on May 3, 2019

  The emergence of portable computers, the internet, and the ubiquity of portable smart devices has given rise to a new type of industry–the data center. A data center is simply a building used to house computer servers. While these servers may be used for many different types of data storage, their requirements for in-house […]

Couplings| "shaft alignment"

By VibrAlign Author on November 9, 2018

Couplings connect a driving shaft to a driven shaft. There are essentially two families of couplings: Rigid couplings Flexible couplings There are, of course, differentiations within these two types. Rigid couplings connect shafts so that the two shafts are essentially one continuous unit. Be advised that runout can be an issue when this kind of […]

"shaft alignment"| "thermal growth"| apps| Laser-Dials| technology

By VibrAlign Author on September 12, 2018

  Technology has made so many of our jobs easier, and this certainly includes the maintenance industry. One aspect of technology you should be taking advantage of if you are a maintenance foreman, team member, or technician is the many smartphone apps that exist to make your job easier and your plant more efficient. Below […]

runout| "shaft alignment"| unbalance

By VibrAlign Author on September 5, 2018

Unbalance and runout are two terms that we hear frequently in the predictive maintenance community. Both unbalance and runout can be serious issues and need to be addressed to prevent inefficient functioning and damage to machines. Unbalance occurs due to corrosion, erosion of the fan wheel, or if a correction weight is removed. Runout occurs […]

"shaft alignment"| soft foot| backlash| looseness

By VibrAlign Author on September 4, 2018

Achieving a perfect alignment can seem daunting at times, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right tools and if you know to look out for three common reasons for shaft alignment frustrations. Once you know these three factors, you can take the necessary steps to avoid them and/or correct them. The […]

"shaft alignment"| Pre-Alignment| Alignment tolerances| 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 […]

Laser Shaft Alignment| "shaft alignment"| Laser Alignment tools| "shaft alignment tools"| "jacking bolts"| Alignment tolerances| soft foot| troubleshooting

By Stan Riddle on May 11, 2018

Alan Garbers with Johnson Controls International contacted me regarding an alignment problem, and asked for my advice.  Here is a condensed version of his email. A client rents portable chillers, and related equipment. They built a 125HP portable pump skid with a Bell & Gossett pump on a VFD. I was there to commission the […]

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

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, […]

"shaft alignment"| ONEPROD Hawk| Balancing| misalignment| bearing failures

By Mac MacCormack on August 24, 2016

Past maintenance & production issues found in the industrial or manufacturing environment are still prevalent even in today’s equipment reliability focus. The major contributors to equipment failure remain the same, misalignment, unbalance and assembly errors. Another is lubrication, Mr. Stan Riddle addressed this in one his blogs “Machinery Vibration Problems part 3 – Lubrication”. Let’s […]

"shaft alignment"| Laser Alignment tools| realigning America| troubleshooting| Precision Shaft Alignment

By James Pekarek on April 6, 2016

As technical trainers, we travel all over the country visiting factories, mills, power plants and refineries.  Just to mention a few.  We see and work on equipment of every type and size. From small 10 HP electric motors and pumps moving cooling water, to house sized engines turning generators that power our cities. Out of […]

"shaft alignment"| realigning America scholarship

By Jim on November 18, 2015

VibrAlign awarded three scholarships this quarter to industrial technology students from Texas State Technical College, Chattanooga State Community College and Southwestern Illinois College. Below are excerpts from the winning essays. “The Army is where I learned that machine maintenance is key to everyday life. One of my favorite sayings has always been “If you don’t […]

aligning machinery| spindle alignment| "shaft alignment"

By Stan Riddle on September 10, 2015

Precision shaft alignment of general industrial equipment, such as pumps and compressors, requires precision. But alignment of machine tool spindles and components requires an even greater level of accuracy. Precision alignment of machine tool spindles can improve product quality & finish, reduce scrap, re-work, broken tooling, and improve cutting tool life. There are numerous configurations […]