Alignment Procedures

Alignment significantly impacts the life expectancy of transmission components. Shaft misalignment produces stress on the couplings, engine or motor and reduction gearbox bearings as well as shafts, leading to damage. Moreover, the higher the rotational speed, the more stringent the alignment accuracy requirement.

In general, radial, angular and in certain cases, axial misalignments occur simultaneously. For misalignments not to induce an unacceptable cumulative fault, alignment adjustment shall not be made based on the values given in the catalogue or technical manuals.

In practice, record each misalignment value, calculate the ratio of this value by the maximum indicated value. The sum of these ratios shall not exceed 1:

dr / Δr + da / Δa + dE / ΔE ≤ 1

where:

dr = recorded radial misalignment value
Δr = maximum radial misalignment value
Da = recorded angular misalignment value
Δa = maximum angular misalignment value
dE = maximum axial misalignment value
ΔE = maximum axial misalignment value

Misalignment measurements shall be made in two perpendicular planes, and verification measurements shall be made at four points located 90 apart.

When the type of coupling so allows, perform alignment without the transmission components (flexible elements, flexible sleeves, bushes).

Check adjustment values with the machine at operating temperature.

Generally due to the cost and possible repercussions of a failure due to misalignment it is suggested that a professional of good repute assists in the set-up.