TOPIC

MACHINERY ALIGNMENT

Prepared By: UA
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METHODS OF ALIGNMENT

THERE ARE THREE METHODS

1. Rim and Face.

2. Reverse Indicator Method.

3. Laser Indicator Method.

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DEFINITION OF MISALIGNMENT.
Misalignment is the deviation of relative shaft
from collinear axis of rotation when equipment is
running at normal operating conditions.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF MACHINERY
ALIGNMENT.

Misaligned rotating machinery has caused, and will

continue to cause, a tremendous financial loss to
every industry worldwide.

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Misaligned your Machinery mean

Is a risk to your business.

Lead to unplanned production stops.
Consume more power.
Can affect the quality of the product you are manufacturing.
Financial loss.

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Aligning your Machinery mean

Increase operating time.

Increase productivity.
Increase production quality.
Cost saving.

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 HOW IS MISALIGNMENT RECOGNIZED.
There are several symptoms indicating misalignment. By keeping your eyes
open you can find them without any special equipment
Premature bearing, seal, shaft and coupling failure.
Excessive radial and axial vibrations.
High casing / Bearings/ Oil temperature.
Excessive amount of oil leakage at the bearing seals.
The coupling is hot while it is running and immediately after unit shut down. Look for
rubber powder inside the coupling shroud.
Loose foundation bolts.
Loose or broken coupling bolts.
Excessive amount of grease on the inside of coupling guard.
Similar pieces of equipment are vibrating less or seem to have longer operating life.
The shafts are breaking (or cracking) at or close to the inboard bearings or coupling hubs.

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 EFFECT OF MISALIGNMENT.
Others

Misalignment
Lubrication

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 TYPES OF MISALIGNMENT
1) PARALLEL DISPLACEMENT OR OD DISPLACEMENT

2) FACE DISPLACEMENT OR ANGULAR DISPLACEMENT

3) COMBINATION ANGULAR & PARALLEL OR

COMBINATION FACE & OD.

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 BRACKET SAG
DEFINITION:
The Inclination towards downwards in alignment Bracket due to
gravitational force is called Bracket Sag.

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 SOFT FOOT
All drivers supports feet must be on the same place.
Maximum soft foot allowable limit is 0.003

Dial Indicator

Fix Unit Moveable Unit

Soft Foot

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 RIM & FACE METHOD
Detailed Tips:

1. Lock out 2. Use proper Tools & Fixtures

3. Clean Feet & Pads 4. Determine Indicator Sag & Record.

5. Rough Alignment 6. Eliminate Soft Foot.

7. Complete Record sheet 8. Take Readings

9. Correct for Sag. 10. Calculate Reading

11. Confirm Shim change

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 Correct & Collect Readings & Calculation in
Rim & Face.
Since any alignment readings taken by this method will include not
only misalignment but also bracket sag, sag must be removed from the
reading to yield only misalignment.
Calculation shims for Angular Alignment using the formula given below:
C Shims Required = Angular Displacement X C / A
B Shims Required = Angular Displacement X B / A
Calculation shims for Parallel Alignment using the formula given below:
Shims Required = Parallel Displacement
2

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 REVERSE INDICATOR METHOD
Detail Tips of Procedure;
1. Lock out.
3. Clean feet & Pads.
Record.
5. Provide for Coupling Gap.
7. Eliminate Soft Foot.
9. Take Driver to Driven Readings.
11. Plot Displacement.
2. Use proper Tools & Fixtures.
4. Determine Indicator Sag &
6. Rough Align.
8. Complete Record Sheet.
10.Correct for Sag.
12. Confirm Shim change.
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Critical distances for Rim & Face.
Dial to dial or D to C.
Dial to First Foot or C to A.
First foot to Rear Foot or A to B.

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Plot Displacement for Reverse Alignment

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Plot Displacement for Reverse Alignment

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 ALIGNMENT TOLERANCES
Most Manufacturers of machines specify the amount of
misalignment accepted by their machine. Use the tables
below as a guide if no other specifications are available.
Note that the figures in the table are the most common
used tolerance on standard machinery. Tolerances of
0.0039 cannot be achieved without using special tools.
High speed machinery and turbines require alignment
within thousands of millimeters per meter.

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 HOT ALIGNMENT

CALCULATION OF THERMAL GROWTH

Rise in Inches = Temperature Differences F X Centerline in Inches X 6 X 10-6

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 Alignment Record Sheet
Date ___________ Time__________ Unit______________________________.
Coupling Form___________ To___________Mechanics Name_______________.
Condition of Coupling___________________ Type of coupling_______________.
Distance from Bracket to Post_____________ TIR of Bracket SAG OD_________.
Comments concerning Machines Condition_______________________________.
Change that resulted in these readings___________________________________.

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