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CATEGORIES: SHAFT ALIGNMENT

Coupling or Shaft Runout

"precision alignment" | aligning machinery| Dial Indicators| Pre-Alignment

By Stan Riddle on October 3, 2013

On rotating machinery, runout is defined as the degree to which a shaft or
coupling deviates from true circular rotation. Every shaft or coupling has a
center or rotation, or centerline. Any stray from concentricity is considered
runout. If runout is severe, it can cause many problems with equipment, such
as:

Excess vibration

Seal wear

Bearing damage

Runout can be easily overlooked during the alignment process, regardless of

the tool being used to measure for misalignment. But it is easy to check for
runout before the alignment process begins.

Use a dial indicator and magnetic base. Zero the indicator on the outside
diameter of the coupling hub. Slowly rotate the shaft to look for runout, and
measure the amount. Then move the indicator to the shaft adjoining the
coupling hub. Measure the same way. If the hub and shaft travel by
approximately the same amount, the runout is probably due to a bent shaft.
To confirm, measure the shaft in different places. The bend normally
decreases the closer the indicator is moved toward the bearing. In this case, if
the runout is excessive, the shaft should be replaced.
If runout is measured on the coupling hub, but not the shaft, the runout is
probably due to either a casting or machining error (such as the hub being
bored out of center). In this case, the coupling hub should be replaced, but the
shaft should be OK.

In addition, axial runout of coupling hubs should be checked as well. This can
often indicate either a damaged hub, or one that was not bored concentrically,
but at an angle.

Most engineering manuals recommend no more than 2-3 mils of runout. On

machines rotating at 3600 rpm or faster, this number should be cut in half (1 to
1 1/2 mils).

A quick check for runout can identify machinery problems, increase reliability,
and extend component life.

 Post Views: 1,275

About the Author

Stan Riddle
Stan Riddle joined VibrAlign in 2008. He has over 35 years experience in aligning
industrial machinery. Stan received his AAS Degree in Machinist Technology from Surry
Community College in Dobson, NC, and also holds a diploma in Industrial Systems
Technology from Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, NC, where he
was also an instructor in the program.

Stan began his maintenance career working as a machinist and millwright for companies
such as Weyerhaeuser, R.J. Reynolds, and Tyco Electronics. He also has over 25 years
experience in Predictive Technologies, such as vibration analysis, thermography, oil
analysis, and ultrasonic inspection. He is a certified Level III Vibration Analyst with the
Vibration Institute, and is a Past Chairman and Board Member of the Piedmont Chapter.

Stan and his wife live in Yadkinville, NC.

 Mike Keohane

October 6, 2013 at 8:17 pm

Often overlooked. There is a great video on the VibrAlign youtube channel that
shows exactly how to check for runout.

Reply

Ramesh Kumar.R

October 10, 2013 at 2:32 pm

Rotating equipment alignment procedures for both radial & axial fans of 600 MW
Thermal Power Stations.

Reply

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