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.
  
  Misalignment often appears alongside imbalance and structural resonance, so laser shaft alignment works best combined with our dynamic field balancing and rotating equipment vibration analysis services. Based in Calgary, DVA serves facilities across Alberta.