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Vertical Alignment

What is Vertical Alignment? Vertical alignment typically means one of the following, which those new to alignment often find confusing:

  1. Shimming feet to correct angular or offset misalignment in the vertical plane of horizontally mounted machines.
  2. Aligning rotating shafts in vertically mounted machines
  3. Alignment of machine tables, machine guides, rollers and other structures that require precise geometrical, vertical positioning due to high-performance applications We'll focus on #2 for purposes of this discussion.

Some Vertical Alignment industrial applications include:

  • Pumps
  • Motors
  • Generators
  • Fans
  • Gearboxes
  • Turbines
  • Refiners
  • Debarking drums
  • Digesters
  • Filters
  • High and low pressure feeders
  • Vacuum pumps
  • Conveyers
  • Chipper drives
  • Chemical recovery
  • Aerator drives

Recognizing Vertical Misalignment

Vertical misalignment can occur due to any of the following:

  • Premature bearing, seal and coupling failure
  • Excessive radial and axial vibrations
  • High casing temperature at or near bearings, or high oil temperature
  • High coupling temperature
  • Oil leakage at the bearing seals
  • Loose or broken foundation bolts or coupling bolts

Vertical misalignment causes repair costs to soar and production to plummet every year, but preventive maintenance can greatly minimize unplanned stoppages due to machine breakdown.

Precision Vertical Alignment has numerous benefits:

  • Reduces vibration levels
  • Increases meantime between failures
  • Reduces maintenance costs
  • Reduces energy consumption
  • Increases production quantity as well as quality

Important considerations for vertically mounted machines

Since vertical machines are typically mounted using bolted flanges and not feet, calculating correction values is different from horizontal machines. Bolts may differ in number and thus in their locations around the flange. Measurement and alignment of such vertical, flange-mounted machines is best accomplished with a vertical laser alignment system, such as a Fixturlaser's shaft series system. Results are presented with positions for each bolt. Three readings determine the machine position. This tri-point method provides a quick and easy way to register readings. The motor's current position displays instantly on the screen, so the user has a clear understanding of needed adjustments and just how to shim.

VibrAlign's powerful, yet easy-to-use, vertical alignment systems

Fixturlaser GO System

Value-priced for most engineering and maintenance budgets, the Fixturlaser GO systems makes alignment checks and corrections of vertically mounted machine shafts quickly, easily and with great precision. It comes with all the basic shaft alignment equipment and performs both horizontal and vertical shaft alignment. The horizontal application includes functions includes SoftCheck™ for softfoot conditions and target values, i.e., pre-defined values that compensate for thermal expansion.

Fixturlaser XA System

With its 6.4-inch backlit LCD color touchscreen, the Fixturlaser XA system displays easy-to-comprehend animated graphics and symbols to precisely align shafts in vertically mounted machines. This vertical laser alignment system is self-guiding, reducing the risk of misunderstanding. Application programs for horizontal and vertical shaft alignment and built-in target values and SoftCheck™ are all standard. Expansion kits make upgrades easy for aligning machine trains, offset-mounted machines and measuring dynamic movements. The Fixturlaser XA uses CCD-technology for maximum speed and highly accurate measurements, regardless of where the laser beam strikes the detector.

Fixturlaser Services from VibrAlign in the USA

As Fixturlaser's North American distributor for the USA, VibrAlign provides the full range of Fixturlaser systems for vertical, horizontal, offset and machine train alignments and measuring dynamic movements - known the world over for being easy and quick to learn and use. All VibrAlign engineers and measurement technicians are carefully selected and certified by Fixturlaser's training institute.

For further information on Vertical Alignment Systems

VibrAlign can assist your company in all its vertical shaft alignment needs. For further information, product brochures, or to arrange onsite alignment of plant machinery, please contact VibrAlign at 800-394-3279 or by email.
 
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