Laser shaft alignment is a process of adjusting the position of two rotating machines' shafts so that they are in perfect alignment. This procedure is essential to reduce vibration, increase machine performance, and prevent premature bearing and seal failures. Here's a general procedure for laser shaft alignment:
- Preparation: Before starting the alignment process, make sure the machines are turned off, and any potential safety hazards are addressed. Remove any obstructions or debris from the coupling faces and check for wear, damage, or corrosion.
- Mounting the laser and sensors: Attach the laser to one shaft and the sensors to the other shaft, ensuring they are aligned correctly. The laser should be mounted parallel to the shaft axis and at a fixed distance from the sensors.
- Taking measurements: Rotate the shafts until they are at their closest position and take initial measurements. The laser will emit a beam, which the sensors will detect, allowing you to determine the degree of misalignment.
- Making adjustments: Based on the initial readings, make adjustments to the machine's position, such as shimming or adjusting the motor or pump mount. Re-measure the alignment, and continue adjusting until you achieve the desired tolerance level.
- Final check: Once you have achieved the desired alignment, double-check the readings to ensure the shafts are still in the proper position. Perform a final check after the machines have been in operation for a while to ensure the alignment remains stable.
It's essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines when performing laser shaft alignment, as the process may vary slightly depending on the type of equipment. It's also important to use a high-quality laser alignment tool and properly train the personnel involved in the alignment process to ensure accurate results.
Mechanical Design Engineer
2 年There is one item that is not discussed. Before you even start doing an alignment you need to correct soft foot. Some laser aligning tools/equipment have a soft foot mode but it is not good at correcting angular soft feet. The laser align tools ask you to put in a full thickness shim along the entire foot. This can still lead to soft foot when there is an angular foot issues. For angular foot you need to install stacked shims of different thicknesses under different locations of a single foot. The only way I've found that works for angular soft foot is using a feeler gage method.
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Researcher
2 年Valuable