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7. Horizontal machine alignment
Preparing for the alignment procedure
Before using the Product, prepare the machine for alignment as described below.
Warning
Make sure machines are locked out and tagged out and cannot be
started accidentally or deliberately while you are working on them!
Solid, at foundation
A solid, rigid foundation is required to obtain correct, lasting shaft alignment that
allows long-term uninterrupted machine service.
Machine mobility
If the machine to be moved stands directly on the foundations, it cannot be
lowered for alignment correction. It is therefore advisable to start with about
2 mm (50 mils) of shims beneath the feet of both machines. Hydraulic or
screw-type positioning aids are recommended for horizontal movement.
Rigid couplings
Rigid couplings must be loosened before measurement so that they do not distort
the alignment condition.
Shaft play and coupling backlash
Axial shaft play of up to 3 mm (1/8”) has no adverse effect on the machine
diagnosis (but not necessarily for machine operation).
Turning the shaft or coupling end where the prism is mounted, engages the
mating parts of the coupling hence reducing the effects of coupling backlash. The
sensor measurement principle is also less susceptible to coupling backlash.
Soft foot
Soft foot causes the machine frame distortion every time the anchor bolts are
tightened, making proper alignment difcult or impossible.
Tolerances, thermal growth, alignment targets
These values can be obtained from the individual machine specications, and
used to specify a position on a shaft centerline and the alignment condition at
that position. If a machine set is aligned ‘cold’, the growth factor at operation
must be considered. A misalignment value must be introduced when performing
cold alignment.
Horizontal shaft alignment
Job preparation
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