Dial indicator bar sag describes a bending of the hardware used to support a dial indicator or other part which spans the coupling. The bending action occurs as a result of gravity and cannot be totally eliminated in almost all cases of alignment.
Fixturlaser have done what we will to form the exactness shaft alignment method faster and easier for the user of our tools. To help maintenance personnel throughout alignment a tolerance table “pops up” on the unit screen (of our tools) once getting into dimensions for the machines being aligned. The tolerances square measure supported industry standards.
The Runout Probe provides a digital linear displacement measurement, much like a dial indicator, but with the added benefit of electronic documentation through the Bluetooth connection with the NXA Display Unit.
Hold down bolts are designed to keep the machine in position after a precision alignment is performed. Jacking bolts are designed to help position a machine during the alignment. Jacking bolts are not designed nor should be used to maintain the position of a machine, that is the job of the hold down bolts. Let’s look at the design intent of each type.
So what is bar/rod sag? Simply put, it is how much the dial indicator mounting bar deflects when the rim dial indicator is install. How much the bar/rod deflects depends upon the type of bar (solid or tube), the length of the bar and weight of the dial indicator.
Unbalance and runout are two terms that we hear frequently in the predictive maintenance community. Both unbalance and runout can be serious issues and need to be addressed to prevent inefficient functioning and damage to machines.
OmniView is a unique function available only in the Fixturlaser NXA Pro and Fixturlaser NXA Ultimate. OmniView incorporates gyroscopes that aid in the alignment process for both horizontally and vertically mounted machines.
OMNIVIEW - Changes the on-screen orientation to match what the user is actually seeing, tracking the user’s position relative to the machine being aligned.
As the resurgence of manufacturing and processing in continues, the requirements on all of us to do more with less will only grow more important in order to reach the needed profitability goals. Combine this downward pressure with the diversity of today’s plants and their mechanical components, and the overwhelming gap of skilled workers entering our industries is a recipe for disaster.
Establishing good habits with sensor placement will get you one step closer to determining the health of any machine.
The first most common reason for unpredictable alignment results is looseness of some kind.
Even though laser shaft alignment systems have been in use for over 3 decades some industries have alignment tolerances and cold alignment targets in dial indicator terms or language. Take for instance the gas compression and processing industry.
Fixturlaser ECO is an entry-level system for shaft alignment. Wireless sensor units, 4” colour display, rechargeable batteries and an IP65 design that withstands harsh environments. Fixturlaser ECO is a high-quality system that is very easy to use.
I have always tried for a minimum of 50% contact, while making sure the shim is equal around the periphery of the bolt. In other words, there should be an equal amount of shim all the way around the bolt, except for the slot.
Now Fixturlaser NXA generates PDF reports that are clearly simple and excellent to share. Here's how to do it!
Alan Garbers with Johnson Controls International contacted me regarding an alignment problem, and asked for my advice. Here is a condensed version of his email.
A client rents portable chillers, and related equipment. They built a 125HP portable pump skid with a Bell & Gossett pump on a VFD. I was there to commission the machines and noticed they used size A shims under the corner of each
The spacer shaft function is used when the alignment is performed on machinery using a membrane coupling. The membrane coupling is a typical high-performance coupling, with no backlash, used for maintenance free operation. It is also suitable for high speeds or high temperature applications.
Before we had the Fixturlaser SMC machine we would basically send an engineer out to site to go and investigate the pump problem, he would then return to office and write a recommendation report to the client. It use to take about two days.
At first thought it may sound like a good idea as the specialized fasteners in the channel make it easy to tighten the motor hold down bolts, however in reality it’s a cause for precision shaft alignment issues. Here’s why.
