Laser Alignment System

Since the alignment laser tool was introduced, the measuring and diagnosing of misalignment has become both faster and easier. At BENCHMARK PDM we know that this is extremely important since issues with alignment such as looseness or soft foot will cause adverse and disastrous damage if left untreated. Soft foot specifically will stress and distort the machine’s frame which in turn causes problems. Rotational centerlines on the shafts will not be consistent, which leads to issues such as coupling wear, issues with rotor air gap, issues with the bearing or seal fit and clearance issues.

Using Your Laser Tool For Alignment

The heads are mounted on the shafts at the 12 O’Clock position when using a laser alignment system, far away from the feet of the motor. When the foot is loosened, the laser will measure the movement of the shaft (aka shaft deflection) and calculate the lift at the foot. There are three soft foot conditions, two of which will be measured incorrectly when done, namely if it is twisted base or bent foot. The laser system sees movement but doesn’t know how the foot is lifting.

Various Soft Foot Conditions And How To Address Them

The most accurate way to check for and diagnose soft foot is to use a feeler gauge or various pre-cut shims to determine the exact condition of the soft foot and then be able to correct it. You may find that this issue is short foot in which case you should go ahead and shim exactly the value measured. You may find that your issue is soft bent foot or an angled or twisted base. If you suspect that this is the cause, use a step shim, and ensure that you trim the part of the shim where it does not fit under the foot to make all the thumb tabs line up.

Building Lasting Relationships That Better Service Your Machine Assets

At BENCHMARK PDM, we place a high value on the relationships we have with our clients. We are a family owned and operated business and we extend that commitment to our customers. We ensure that all our staff are highly trained and ready to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to address any queries or to order your alignment laser tool. You can reach us by telephone on +1-800-598-1117, e-mail us on info@benchmarkpdm.com, or fill in our contact form here. Whether you have a product or training related query, or whether you want to address a machine application issue, our friendly team is here to help. We look forward to hearing from you!