Maintenance Minders

Tips to Achieve
an Accurate and
Efficient Alignment
Deron Jozokos, Ludeca, Inc.

ne of the first steps in shaft alignment preparation

is to make sure that the machines are locked out
and tagged out. If equipment is accidentally started
while an alignment is being performed, serious injuries could
occur.
Listed below are other issues, in no particular order,
which could prevent the attainment and retention of good
alignment.

Some laser alignment systems on the market offer special

brackets to measure machine movement in order to establish
good alignment targets.

Foundations

Coupling Play

A solid, rigid foundation is essential for a successful alignment. Look over the entire base and be on the lookout for
possible effects of elastic deformation of the foundation
or machine frame. If the base has any defects, it should be
replaced or repaired prior to any attempts at aligning the
machinery. Any grout should be of suitable material, in good
condition, with no voids beneath the baseplate. The baseplate
must be rigid so that no part of any machine foot moves
more than 0.001-in out of plane with the other feet of the
same machine.

Rigid Couplings
The bolts must be loosened to achieve accurate readings.
Another optionif your alignment tool permitsis to take
readings uncoupled.

This can be avoided by turning the shafts a few degrees before

starting measurements and then taking readings in the same
direction (see Figure 1). Some of the more advanced laser
alignment systems on the market automatically compensate
for any coupling play. Whenever possible, rotate from the
bottom to the top to let gravity take care of the backlash.

Machine Mobility

It is advisable to set both machines with about 0.050-in

of shims underneath the feet in case one machine needs to
be lowered. When installing shims, be sure to measure the
actual thickness of each shim. Some shims may not be the
exact thickness stamped on the shim (i.e., a 0.050-in may
measure 0.046-in). Jacking bolts provide a safer and more
accurate way to make horizontal moves.

Positional Change
After start-up, machines grow warmer or colder, undergo
thermal gradients and may suffer dynamic load shifts. This
may cause their shaft centerlines to move from the position
they were in when stopped. A good shaft alignment done
when the machine is cold and stopped may result in a poor
alignment when the machines are running and under load.
58

FEBRUARY 2008

Figure 1. Coupling Play

Bearing Play
Check for excessive bearing play in your machines. Excessive
radial play of the shaft within the bearing will lead to poor
alignment results (see Figure 2). Measure with a dial indicator or with the actual coordinate values function of your laser
alignment tool.

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PUMPS & SYSTEMS

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this was just a
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Machinery
Eliminate rust, dirt
and any other contamination from the
contact surfaces of the
machine feet, shims
and frame or foundation. Never insert
more than four shims
at a time beneath a
single machine foot.
More than three
shims may cause a
spring effect, or a
squishy soft foot.

?
Figure 2. Bearing Play

Soft Foot

Housekeeping
Always keep the area around your
machinery neat and clean. Any dirt,
rust, loose paint, etc., will eventually
get knocked onto the shimming area
by wrenches, jacks and other tools.
Likewise, clean any jacking or lifting
devices that would be a source of dirt
to find its way under the foot.

Think about itt.

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Rough Alignment
Though not exactly necessary with
todays advanced laser alignment
systems, a quick rough alignment
can usually expedite the alignment Figure 4. Measuring misalignment with an
advanced laser alignment system
process.
P&S
Deron Jozokos is an applications and sales engineer for Ludeca, Inc., 1425 N.W.
88th Avenue, Doral, FL 33172, 305-591-8935, Fax: 305-591-1537, Deron.
Jozokos@ludeca.com, www.ludeca.com.
PUMPS & SYSTEMS

www.pump-zone.com

FEBRUARY 2008

59

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Soft foot (see Figure 3) can

severely affect the operating
condition of a machine, which
will undoubtedly shorten its
life expectancy. Here are a few
simple tips to help avoid soft
Figure 3. Types of soft foot: (l.) Parallel soft foot (r.)
foot in your machines:
Angled soft foot
When taking individual soft
foot readings on a four-footed machine, always do so one foot at a time, with the
other three feet tight.
Eliminate external forces on the machine such as those from connected piping,
conduit, auxiliary supports, etc. The piping should be well-fitted, supported and
sufficiently flexible, so that no more than 0.002-in soft foot movement occurs
when the pipe flanges are tightened.
Use high quality, clean and uniform shims when shimming is necessary.
The shims should be free from burrs, bumps, nicks and dents of any kind.