Laser Shaft Alignment

The benefits of precision shaft alignment are clear: machines consume less power; operate with inappropriate vibration levels; and there is limited wear on bearings, couplings and mechanical seals thereby extending equipment life.

Results are:

• equipment reliability with predicable up-time,
• no unplanned work stoppages,
• reduced operating costs with minimal degradation of machine components.

Machine misalignment is considered one of the primary reasons for equipment failure and associated down time of in-service equipment. Misaligned machines not only destroy components such as couplings, shafts and bearings, but also increase the amount of energy used to operate a machine.

There are two types of misalignment: parallel and angular misalignment, for both of which the symptoms are obvious:

• short life of bearings, seals, shafts and/or couplings,
• excessive radial and axial vibrations,
• hot spots at or near bearings or machinery casings,
• breaking or cracking shafts, excessive amount of oil leakage at bearing seals,
• rubber residue inside coupling shroud, loose foundation and/or coupling bolts and resonance.