Machine Alignment

Machine alignment is about machine efficiency

Machine Alignment in Industry

In industry after industry, critical machines in the production process require precise alignment to perform to specs. If machine misalignment occurs, valuable operation time can be lost. Machines drive pumps, fans, gearboxes, blenders, transportation systems and more – and, in every installation, are among the most critical of components.

Nearly 50% of all breakdowns in rotating machines occur due to machine misalignment. During these breakdowns, 100% of production is lost. So an investment in machine alignment - whether in machine laser alignment tools or machine alignment services from a reliable provider - can be qualified in uptime minutes. And make payback time short.

Machine Laser Alignment of horizontally mounted machines

The most common kind of shaft alignment occurs in horizontally mounted machines. With machine alignment tools, such as the Fixturlaser XA™ Laser Alignment System from VibrAlign, this alignment can be done quickly, easily and with great precision.

Every precision alignment begins with important pre-alignment tasks to ensure the best possible alignment conditions. To perform these, our Fixturlaser alignment systems include a complete set of built-in software tools that take the user through every measurement required to perform an accurate alignment.

The softfoot program, for example, helps ensure a repeatable machine base from one alignment to the next. Softfoot, which is when machine feet do not rest firmly on base plates, can occur in different forms. The program guides the user through detecting any kind of softfoot problem, which can then be corrected by adding alignment shims, a metal wedge, or by changing the angle of the foot itself.

With pre-alignment tasks complete, the machine misalignment can be corrected. The tri-point method provides three readings to determine the machine position quickly and easily. With all three readings registered, the result displays instantly.

The result-screen shows the motor's current foot positions, angular error and parallel offset - and thus advises the necessary adjustments required for machine alignment.

Machine Laser Alignment of vertically mounted machines

Machine Laser Alignment of offset-mounted machines

The idea that cardan-shaft machines - two machines connected by an angled coupling because they are not in line - do not require alignment is false. They do. A misaligned cardan-shaft rotates with an uneven angular speed over the full circumference of each turn, thereby generating harmful vibrations throughout the drive chain. Misaligned cardan shafts pose risks similar to other misaligned machines, including the real potential of breakage.

The Fixturlaser XA system combined with its Cardan-shaft Extension, Fixturlaser XA and OffsetXA Software make alignment of offset-mounted machines easy, quick and error-free - and a smart investment compared to the costs of replacing a broken cardan shaft.

Benefits of cardan-shaft Alignment:

• Minimized risk for cardan-shaft breakdown
• Reduced wear on gearboxes, bearings and cardan joints
• Complete documentation of measurement results

Machine Tool Alignment

It's a fallacy that accurate linear positioning alone ensures the production of quality parts. Other measurements must come first - surface flatness, straightness, squareness and parallelism - before checking linear positioning and calibrating machine tools. Without the measurements, consistency and production rates of parts pay the price.

Performing all of these machine tool alignment measurements used to take inordinate time and meant lost production. No longer. Whether a machine tool mills, bores, lathes or grinds, the Fixturlaser XA system can align it in a fraction of the time conventional methods would require. What's more, the XA's machine tool alignment is so precise that tools cut better parts, waste less material, and produce more. The Fixturlaser XA system turns regular alignment from something to be avoided into the smart thing to do.

Machine Train Alignment made quicker and easier

A machine train, with its multiple drive units, is among the most critical parts of any production process. It's more costly to production when it goes down and more expensive to get back up. Its three or more units with rotating shafts connected to one another make determining the reference machine for alignment problematic, especially when one or more are affected by thermal growth.

Fixturlaser Machine TrainXA application software on a Fixturlaser XA system shows the way with its express start up and measurement, its compensation for thermal offset, and its express result with total overview, both horizontally and vertically.

Extra benefits of Fixturlaser XA with Machine TrainXA software:

• Same procedure used on standard motor alignment and pump alignment
• Complete documentation of all measurement results

Laser alignment devices and Machine Alignment services to meet every need

Fixturlaser laser alignment systems and services provide a company with multiple ways to ensure machine laser alignment in all of its production processes. A variety of system choices, all with accuracy to within thousandths of an inch, all upgradable and expandable, all featuring icon-based touch-screens that walk the user through the steps of measurement and alignment, make Fixturlaser the easy and smart choice to meet every alignment need. Contact VibrAlign to learn more about the many ways Fixturlaser devices and systems can make a difference in your operation's maintenance and efficiency.

For additional information on Machine Alignment Tools from VibrAlign