SHAFT ALIGNMENT
Contents
Basic terms
What is shaft alignment Why is shaft alignment so important Types of alignment Alignment methods
Alignment Tolerances chart
Causes of misalignment
Basic terms in shaft alignment
Co-linearity Rotational centers
Misalignment
Stationary and Movable Machines Horizontal and vertical misalignment
What is shaft alignment?
Shaft alignment is the positioning of the
rotational centers of two shafts such that they are co-linear when the machines are under normal operation.
Why is shaft alignment so important?
When shafts are misalign, forces are
generated in the coupling. Energy will be lost and increased loads will be placed on any mechanical components which provide for rotation, seals, bearing housing, etc snap
Types of misalignment
Shaft alignment begin by defining two
types of misalignment: [Link] misalignment [Link] misalignment
Alignment methods
There are a wide variety of methods for
measuring alignment, the most common ones are: [Link] method [Link] indicator method a) Rim-Face method b) Reverse Rim method [Link] method
Alignment Tolerances chart
Angular misalinment Mils/inch 0.001/1 Excellent Acceptable 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.7 0.7 1 1 1.5 Offset misalignment Mils 0.001 Excellent Acceptable 1 2 2 4 3 6 4 8
RPM 3600 1800 1200 900
Causes of misalignment
Increased vibration
Increased energy loss Increased load on bearings, seals and
other mechanical components Reduced production capacity Reduced product quality
Vibration
Misalignment causes vibrations. Vibrations are measured horizontally, vertically and axially and there are some rules of thumb in the analysis of the vibrations. Horizontal vibrations indicate imbalance (H). Vertical vibrations indicate a weak or loose foundation (V). Axial vibrations indicate misalignment (A)
Vibration
Alignment methods
Straight Edge
Reverse Rim
Rim-Face
Laser
Co-linearity
Two shafts are said to be co-linear when
their respective rotational centers form a single line.
Rotational centers
All shafts, whether they are straight or bent,
rotate on an axis called the rotational center. The rotational center forms a straight line.
Misalignment
Shafts are misaligned when their rotational
centerlines are not co-linear, when the machines are operating.
Stationary and Movable Machines
When aligning any two machines, one is
designated as stationary and one as movable.
Horizontal and vertical misalignment
Horizontal Misalignment
Misalignment conditions viewed from the top and corrected by sliding the front and back of the machine from side to side are termed horizontal misalignment.
Vertical Misalignment
Misalignment conditions viewed from the side (elevation) and corrected by making shim changes at the front and back of the machine are termed vertical misalignment.
Horizontal Misalignment
Vertical Misalignment
[Link] misalignment
In shaft alignment, offset misalignment pertains
to the deviation of one shaft centerline from another shaft centerline at a given point (or plane) along the length.
[Link] misalignment
Angular misalignment is most easily defined
as the slope relationship between two rotational centers.
[Link] Method
Straight edge/feeler gauge method:
Offset misalignment is measured using a
straight edge and set of feeler gauges.
Angular misalignment is measured by using
feeler gauges, taper gauges.
snap
Straight edges
Offset
Angular
2. Dial Indicator Methods
Rim-Face Method:
This was the standard method of alignment. When using a rim-face method, one measurement is taken on the rim of the coupling to determine shaft offset. Another measurement is taken on the face of the coupling to determine shaft angularity.
Rim-Face Method:
Why is shaft alignment so important?
Forces generates on coupling
Damaged seal
THANK YOU
GHULAM MOHIUDDIN