SHAFT ALIGNMENT

Definition
Shaft alignment is the process whereby two or more machine (typically a motor and
pump) are positioned such that s the point of the power transfer from one shaft
another, the axes of rotation of both shafts should be collinear when the machine is
running under normal conditions. Shaft Alignment Concepts- The Basics.mp4
 SHAFT ALIGNMENT
Benefits of good machinery alignment

 The primary objective of accurate alignment is to increase the

operating life span of rotating machinery.
 Reduce excessive axial and radial forces on the bearings,
seals, coupling, and shafts.
 Reduce the possibility of shaft failure from cyclic fatigue.
 Minimize the amount of wear in the coupling components,
alleviate the amount of shaft bending from the point of power
transmission in the coupling to the coupling end bearing, and it
will maintain proper internal rotor clearances.
 SHAFT ALIGNMENT
CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECTIVE ALIGNMENT

What consequences
will occur if the
alignment is not
acceptable?
 SHAFT ALIGNMENT

Question: Why bother to align the machine when

it is fitted with a flexible coupling designed to take
misalignment?
 SHAFT ALIGNMENT

Answer:
It is true that flexible coupling
are designed to take
misalignment, typically up to 1-
2 mm or more radial offset of
the shafts. But the load
imposed on shafts, and thus
the bearing and seal increase
dramatically due to the
reaction forces created within
the coupling when
misalignment.
 SHAFT ALIGNMENT

Answer:
Experience and coupling
manufacturer’s maximum
misalignment recommendations
would suggest otherwise.
Anecdotal evidence suggests
that as much as 50% of machine
breakdown can be directly
attributed to incorrect shaft
alignment
 SHAFT ALIGNMENT
Alignment parameters

A more modern and easily

understandable approach is
to describe machine
alignment condition in term
of angularity and offset in
the horizontal (top view)
and vertical (side view).
Using this method four
values can then be used to
express alignment condition
as show in the following
diagram
 ALIGNMENT
Alignment Tolerances

Suggested tolerances
shown in the bedside
table are general values
based shaft alignment
experience and should
not be exceeded. They
should be used only if
no other tolerances are
prescribe by existing in-
house standards or by
the machine
manufacturer.
 ALIGNMENT
Alignment methods
 ALIGNMENT
Alignment methods

Alignment by dial indicator

 Trial and error method
 Rim and face method
 Reverse indicator method
 Indicator bracket sag
measurement
 ALIGNMENT
Alignment methods
Alignment by Laser
 ALIGNMENT
Alignment methods
Alignment by Laser
 ALIGNMENT
Alignment tools
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Reverse Rim
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
What is Reverse alignment?
Reverse Alignment is the measurement
of the axis, or the centerline of one shaft
to the relative position of the axis of an
opposing shaft centerline. The
measurement also shows the position of
the shaft centerlines at the coupling flex
planes, for the purpose of selecting an
allowable tolerance. The centerline
measurements are taken in both
horizontal and vertical planes
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 1:Prepare the machine.
a. Remove all existing shims from under
the feet
- If old shims are to be used, clean them
thoroughly.
- Always use minimum amount of shims.
b. Clean the base thoroughly.
- Scrape and file away all rust, nicks, and
burrs
c. Examine the base bolts and holes.
- Retap if necessary
- replace bolts if necessary
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 1:Prepare the machine.
You need to know how to read
dial indicator!
http://www.yesyen.com/swf/s
wfloader.php?filename=Dial_
gauge_working
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 2: Measurement
- Measure distance between
the two indicators (A)
- Measure distance between
indicator and front feet (B)
- Measure distance between
front and back feet (C)
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 3: Layout graph paper
- Mark indicator position
- Mark feet position.
- Remember to mark + and -
signs (this eliminates confusion)
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 4: Preliminary Horizontal Move
The horizontal move is the part of the
alignment process that aligns the shaft's
centerlines from side to side. View the
machine from the pump end, zero the
indicators on the left, and then rotate and
read on the right. Make sure that you
always view the pump from the same
direction in order for you to keep the left and
right directions correct. There is no sag
compensation on the horizontal move.
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 4: Preliminary Horizontal Move
The horizontal move is the part of the
alignment process that aligns the shaft's
centerlines from side to side. View the
machine from the pump end, zero the
indicators on the left, and then rotate and
read on the right. Make sure that you
always view the pump from the same
direction in order for you to keep the left and
right directions correct. There is no sag
compensation on the horizontal move.
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 4: Preliminary Horizontal
Move
For Example:
- The indicator on the pump reads
-8
- The indicator on the motor reads
+10
The shafts are collinear at 1/2 the
Total Indicator Reading.
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 4: Preliminary Horizontal
Move
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 5: Check for Soft Foot
Soft foot is a condition in
which one of the feet does
not sit flat on the base.
The foot or the base may
have been warped. When
you tighten the bolt on the
foot, the machinery will
distort.
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 5: Check for Soft Foot
How to check for Soft Foot
1. Move indicators to 12 o'clock position,
depress indicators and then zero.
2. Loosen one base bolt. If indicator
moves away from zero, place the amount
of shims that will slide under that foot.
Retighten bolt and make sure the dial
indicator needle does not move.
3. Repeat this procedure for the remaining
feet.
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 5: Check for Soft Foot
How to check for Soft Foot
1. Move indicators to 12
o'clock position, depress
indicators and then zero.
2. Loosen one base bolt.
3. Repeat this procedure for
the remaining feet.
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 6: Perform vertical move
The vertical move is the part of the
alignment process that aligns the two
shaft's centerlines into their proper up
and down position. Usually you will
have to add or remove shims in this
step. The indicators are zeroed on the
top and read at the bottom.
Example:
- The indicator on the pump reads -12
- The indicator on the motor reads +8
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 6: Perform vertical move
The vertical move is the part of the
alignment process that aligns the two
shaft's centerlines into their proper up
and down position. Usually you will
have to add or remove shims in this
step. The indicators are zeroed on the
top and read at the bottom.
Example:
- The indicator on the pump reads -12
- The indicator on the motor reads +8
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 6: Perform vertical move
The vertical move is the part of the
alignment process that aligns the two
shaft's centerlines into their proper up
and down position. Usually you will
have to add or remove shims in this
step. The indicators are zeroed on the
top and read at the bottom.
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Procedure
Step 7: Tighten all bolts and recheck
indicator readings.

Step 8: Remove alignment brackets.

The more you become familiar with

these steps the faster you will be able
to align your machinery.
 ALIGNMENT
Reverse indicator method
Shaft alignment assistant by
Fixturlaser Dials Application.
Shaft Alignment Training-
Fixturlaser Dials App.mp4
 ALIGNMENT
Alignment methods
Alignment by Laser
Shaft Alignment by
Laser - TKSA
80.mp4
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