Thermal Growth - Shaft Alignment

In shaft alignment, machines that run hot often have In shaft alignment, machines that run hot often have thermal growth targets. Thermal targeting simply means that the shafts may be misaligned while at room temperature, but as they heat up to operating temperature, they will “grow” into alignment.

But where does the thermal growth target come from?

Many times, the machine manufacturer will specify the hot alignment target. It may be listed on the installation drawings, on a machine nameplate or in an installation and maintenance manual. And while these may be fairly accurate, they often are calculated without knowing certain things such as the real ambient temperature, the amount of air circulating around the machine, additional heat sources near the machine, etc. targets. Thermal targeting simply means that the shafts may be misaligned while at room temperature, but as they heat up to operating temperature, they will “grow” into alignment.

But where does the thermal growth target come from?

Many times, the machine manufacturer will specify the hot alignment target. It may be listed on the installation drawings, on a machine nameplate or in an installation and maintenance manual. And while these may be fairly accurate, they often are calculated without knowing certain things such as the real ambient temperature, the amount of air circulating around the machine, additional heat sources near the machine, etc.

See the video here!