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Archive for the ‘Alignment and Measurement Tips’ Category

Wind Turbine Alignment

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Here is a tip for those aligning wind turbines.

In many cases we cannot mount with chains and brackets on the gearbox shaft. This leaves us with the decision of where to mount the measuring (S-Unit) with a magnet. First, decide if you want to mount on the brake disc or the mounting flange for the coupler. Look for a place as close down by the shaft as possible. Check for clearance of the brake caliper.

Once you decide where to mount, check the measurement 2 or 3 times to make sure it repeats. On some turbines we have found that some components will shift when the brake is engaged. Mounting close to the shaft will minimize the effect. If your results are not repeating, look for an alternative spot to mount and re-test. If they do repeat, you have found a good solution.

You can contact us for help in mounting lasers on high speed shafts in wind turbines.

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Soft Foot Tip

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

Here is a recent post about soft foot from the Easy-Laser User’s Group – be sure to join for more great tips!

Originally posted by Sam Pickens-

“One may note that ‘soft-foot’ generally has an acceptable tolerance; usually 0.003″ MAX (I like 2 mils max or none at all). Also; when one encounters a soft foot there is a ‘hard’ diagonal and a ‘soft’ diagonal. If the foot doesn’t deflect it is said to be ‘hard’. Suppose the back left bolt is hard; the front right should also be hard – this is the hard diagonal; else you may have wedge foot. With both hard feet tight and say the back right foot had 9 mils – with the dial indicator in its position, loosen the front left: do you still have 9 mils or did it lessen? IF so split the soft foot shim corrections over both feet on the soft diagonal.

Now that soft foot is eliminated you can proceed with the alignment task. One-shot alignment is common when proper procedures and methods are employed. I started doing machine alignments is 1967.

If a wedge foot is encountered you may consider ‘SofShoe’ shims. They are an elastomer and comforms to shape and sets under pressure. You can write me for more information.”

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Gross horizontal alignment error and softfoot tip

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010

When you discover a gross horizontal misalignment with your laser alignment system, make the horizontal adjustment and re-check for softfoot. The motor is now in its operating position and conditions under the feet (foundation, base plate, etc.) may have changed. After re-checking and correcting the softfoot, tighten the bolts and re-measure for proper shaft alignment positioning. At this point, one compound move – vertical and horizontal should be all that is required for a precision alignment.

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ASI’s Paul Berberian in Windpower Engineering!

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

Hey everyone –

If you are in the Wind Power Industry, you probably already get Windpower Engineering.  If you don’t, you really should check it out – it is truly a great resource and is seen by many as the definitive technical publication for the Wind Industry.

In fact, Windpower Engineering recently published an article by ASI’s own Paul Berberian!  It is in the August, 2010 issue, and the article is titled “Precision Alignment in Wind Turbines.”

If you don’t have a copy handy, just follow the link: Precision Alignment.

Let us know what you think!  As always, we welcome all questions, comments, and feedback.

Cheers!

ASI

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Time

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Time – we all want more of it.  I have seen ads lately for alignment tools that “save time” or have pre-assembled fixtures to “save time”.  But when did shaft alignment become a race?

As Ben Franklin said, “Haste makes waste.”  And when it comes to shaft alignment, I could not agree more. The measurement part of any alignment job, when using lasers, is already the easiest and fastest part of the process, but we should not rush through it.  Taking the prudent time to make sure everything is set-up correctly is important.

If your fixtures are pre-assembled and you need flexibility for a non-standard set-up, then it’s not faster.  If your set-up is wrong and your measurement is wrong, not only is it not faster, but your alignment will be wrong.  The preparations you make prior to alignment are key and rushing through them or skipping steps is, in the end, not faster.

A good plan with good preparation, paying attention to the details and doing it correctly the first time saves time.  Let’s not fall for the “faster” pitch. Let’s do it correctly the first time, every time.  After all, anything worth doing is worth doing right.

ASI

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ASI’s Paul Berberian on SkillTV!

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

Howdy –

Our very own Paul Berberian recently joined Joel Leonard of SkillTV to discuss laser shaft alignment and its benefits regarding rotating equipment.  Have a look!

Of course, Paul was honored to be asked to share his expertise on laser shaft alignment, and enjoyed his converstaion with Joel.  What do you think?  Would you like to see more video discussions / demonstrations about laser alignment and measurement?  Leave a comment below, or email us through the Contact Us page!

All the best,

ASI

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Ask Greg! – Greg Answers Your Questions!

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

Good Afternoon!

Well, the questions keep coming in for our Ask Greg! feature.  Here’s another winner of a FREE D90 Belt Alignment System (a $680 value!) – just for sending in an alignment question! 

Our question today comes from Rob Miller of Cargill in Gainesville, GA.  Rob writes:

When performing a soft foot measurement using your laser system, does the system show the actual measurement at the foot or the amount the shaft deflect due to the soft foot?  We struggle with getting technicians to know the difference between the two using our existing laser/indicator systems.  How does yours differ and what makes for the best solution to this dilemma?  Thanks, Rob

Rob:

Thanks for your email and submission to the Ask Greg! blog on our website.

I think that it is important to understand that, when using any laser system to diagnose a softfoot condition, you are making some assumptions.  First of all, most machine bases and/or motor feet are not flat or parallel to each other.  If you have a “bent foot” or a tapered base (which is usually the case,) laser systems will not detect it.  The best way is the tried and true feeler gage or precut shim to sense the taper and shim correction thickness.

It is also important for technicians to understand what is going on when using a laser system and what information are you getting when you loosen the hold-down bolts on a motor.  The Easy-Laser program shows the relationship of all 4 feet; this gives you a picture of the “plane” that is created instead of simply creating a correction value.  Getting a number is handy, but can actually be misleading if the technician doesn’t understand what the value means, or what conditions may be present.  A dial indicator positioned on the machine foot will record a value when the foot is loosened; the laser mounted on the shaft will record shaft deflection.  Assuming the feet and base are parallel, both methods will give you a set of 4 values that you can work with to correct the softfoot.  Look for the “plane” (3 values that are within .002” of each other) and subtract that average from the high number. That’s the correction or shim pack to place under the foot.

Example: 
F1 = 3
F2 = 4
F3 = 5
F4 = 14 

The average of the 3 similar feet is 4 (3+4+5 = 12; 12 / 3 = 4).  Therefore, the correction value is 10 to be at the same plane (14 – 4 = 10).

Now, with dial indicators, you are getting the same results, but usually through different values.

Example: 
F1 = 7
F2 = 8
F3 = 9
F4 = 18

The average of the 3 similar feet is 8 (7+8+9 = 24; 24/3 = 8).  Similarly, the correction value is 10 to be at the same plane (18 – 8 = 10).

We find that when it comes to addressing soft foot, making sure your technicians understand the dynamics of what’s going on can make all the difference towards beginning a successful alignment.
 
Thanks for your question and please feel free to visit our site for more resources, or call us with any questions.

Regards,

Greg Knitz

Thanks for your question, Rob – you can expect to see your FREE D90 in the next couple of weeks! 

Keep sending your questions in to Ask Greg! for your chance to win a FREE D90!  Simply use the form on our Contact Us page and submit your question today! Your question could be next!

Cheers!

ASI

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Ask Greg! – Greg Answers Your Questions!

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

Greetings!

Well, we were definitely impressed with the amount of submissions for our very first Ask Greg! – thank you to everyone who sent in their questions! Our hope is that this feature will give us yet another way to discuss all types of alignments and measurements.

Our first winner is Ron Rapa of Rapa Electric in Allegan, MI. Ron writes:

On large ‘V’ belt applications I have seen and understand how the belt alignment system works, but how about a “cogged” flat belt setup? We have chased the belt side to side for hours and left it “good enough,” but not fully satisfied with the results. How can a Belt system be put to use in this case?

Ron:

Thanks for your email and submission to the Ask Greg! blog on our website.

The Easy-Laser BTA (belt transmission alignment) tools work great on cogged belts, timing belts, v-belts, etc., as we mount magnetically on the sheave face.  This allows our laser to see across the entire sheave surface giving us a better view of the angular and parallel misalignment as opposed to the “in the groove” method. We position our targets at the 12 & 6 o’clock position for the vertical and then 9 & 3 o’clock for the horizontal. Our Digital D160 shows the offset and angular values and will communicate with our D480 & higher shaft systems for documentation and reports. It comes with its own hand-held display unit making it easy to monitor the values while you make adjustments.

Thanks for your question and please feel free to visit our site for more resources, or call us with any questions.

Regards,

Greg Knitz

Well, that’s one question down, and one FREE D90 Belt Alignment System given away as well! Thanks for your question, Ron – you can expect to see your FREE D90 in the next couple of weeks! Of course, we want to hear your feedback – anyone who would like to comment on this question and answer, or even if you have a related question, please feel free to comment below!

We know there are other alignment questions out there… so keep sending them in to Ask Greg! Use the form on our Contact Us page and submit your question today! You never know – Greg could answer your question and give you a FREE D90 Belt Alignment System (a $680 value) too!

Until next time,

ASI

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Here’s your chance to Ask Greg! (and win a FREE D90 Belt Alignment System!)

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

Hello –

Do you have a question about shaft alignment that you’ve always wondered about?  Maybe you’re curious about the best way to address a soft foot condition.  Or, perhaps you want to know how to set up for a cardan shaft alignment.  Perhaps you’ve always wondered how laser alignment systems can be accurate even in poor environmental conditions.  Well, here’s your chance to Ask Greg!

ASI President Greg Knitz will be answering someone’s alignment question in an upcoming Blog post… and it could be yours!  If we select your question and use it in our Blog, we will send you a FREE Easy-Laser D90 Belt Alignment System (a $680 value)!

It couldn’t be any easier.  Simply visit our Contact Us page here, complete the entry form, and in the Question area, enter “Re: Ask Greg” and your question.  Not only could your alignment question show up here in our Blog, but you could win a totally free D90 for just submitting an alignment question!

Enter today!

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