What You Should Know About Laser Alignment
Laser alignment is among the most powerful tools for condition monitoring and you’ll agree that nothing can be as straight as a beam of lights. The fact that machines must ab alight accordingly to ensure their efficient operation and prolong their lifespan. High end alignment tools have the ability to detect even the slightest component misalignments thus avoiding catastrophic breakdown. A machine is supposed to be running in a perfect alignment and any deviation may result in excessive pressure on shafts, drives, bearings or seals that can lead to machine failure.
Laser alignment tools are fast and easy to use compared to traditional dial gauges that will stop normally and are less capable of compensating for thermal growth to indicate a good alignment. In fact, when you work with these machines you want to waste all your days traveling with the alignment. The lesser alignment will do it faster than you can ever imagine.
Fixtures of dial gauge have small scales that can be different to read under poor light conditions. When mounting you may also be affected with clay and clearance. Many people admit that dial gauge and rulers are never as accurate as laser machines can be. No matter your experience level you’ll always get the same value when working with laser alignment tools.
Types of motor misalignment
Angular misalignment: laser alignment is used to correct different types of misalignments Angular misalignment included. However, this type of misalignment occurs when the motor and your driven equipment are set at an angle.
So, whenever the centerline of driven equipment and motor shaft are extended, they’ll cross one another and won’t superimpose. The difference between coupling faces appears in the vertical direction, horizontal direction or both. This type of misalignment damages the motor and the driven equipment.
Parallel misalignment: this error arises when the centerlines of two shafts are parallel even if not in the same line. Since the shaft may be displaced horizontally (right or left) or vertically (different elevation) you are likely to deal with two types of parallel misalignment.
Combination misalignment: this type of misalignment is caused by both parallel and angular misalignment on the mortar shaft simultaneously. It’s a very common misalignment in the field that’s why using a laser alignment tool is very important to avoid any damages to your machine parts.
Benefits of laser alignment tools
Produced by vibration. One of the main indicators of misalignment error in machine components is increased vibration from the shaft. When vibration is checked it will have catastrophic damage on the machine components. In fact, it can loosen the balls binding the components together and cause accidents.
Reduced noise level. Excessive noise during machining operation is another sign of misaligned machine components. Is not only a threat to our environment but also to our health. It denies you the peace of mind and diverges attention.
Improved output. A machine functions efficiently guarantees better output but a malfunctioning machine will require maintenance meaning time and resources will be wasted. But if you align your machine components with a laser alignment tool at the initial setup stage nothing ever worries you as the machine won’t break easily.
Improved safety. So many accidents have been reported in the past, especially those resulting from misalignment errors. The pulley components can break when the tension is too much on the belt and if one is found on the scene there may be injuries or loss of lives.
Increase machine life. One of the main reasons why you should install your pulley system without any misalignment error has been to keep your machine functioning normally. This implies that the bearings shafts and components will stay intact, prolonging the machine lifespan.
Conclusion
It is therefore important to use the best alignment tool whenever you are installing your machine but there is no better alignment tool other than laser alignment tool as its capabilities have not only told lies but also machines lifespan and expenses.
