Laser Alignment

Summary

This video explains the importance of precise shaft alignment in industrial equipment and how laser alignment technology offers a more efficient, accurate, and faster alternative to traditional methods. It covers the eight-step laser alignment process, highlighting its benefits such as reduced energy consumption, longer equipment life, and minimal downtime. The video also emphasizes safety precautions when using laser equipment and provides practical tips for preparing and adjusting machinery to ensure optimal alignment. Overall, laser alignment simplifies maintenance tasks, reduces human error, and enhances equipment reliability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Proper shaft alignment is essential for efficient and reliable long-term operation of industrial equipment, reducing energy consumption and preventing damage to bearings, seals, and shafts.
• 😀 Misalignment can occur in three ways: parallel misalignment (offset shafts), angular misalignment (crossed shafts), and combination misalignment (both parallel and angular).
• 😀 Laser alignment technology is becoming more popular because it provides more precision and faster results compared to traditional mechanical methods, saving time and improving overall equipment longevity.
• 😀 Laser alignment is typically faster than traditional methods, with tasks that could take hours now completed in a fraction of the time, often within an hour or less.
• 😀 The three main components of laser alignment equipment include a handheld computer, mounting brackets, and two laser optical devices (optic heads).
• 😀 Laser alignment equipment works with shafts that are either coupled or uncoupled, and alignment can even be checked while equipment is running at operating temperatures.
• 😀 The laser alignment system uses small changes in the laser beam's position to calculate misalignment values and required corrections, making it highly accurate and easy to use.
• 😀 Safety is a top priority when using laser alignment equipment, with specific precautions needed to protect against the hazards of laser light, such as avoiding direct eye contact and limiting exposure to reflections.
• 😀 The laser alignment procedure involves an eight-step process: mounting brackets, installing optic heads, entering machine dimensions, adjusting optic heads, taking measurements, displaying alignment conditions, calculating necessary corrections, and adjusting the driver unit.
• 😀 Laser alignment reduces the need for complex manual measurements and calculations, and it improves precision by allowing alignment checks with less physical strain and in less time.
• 😀 If misalignment cannot be corrected within tolerance after several attempts, it is important to inspect the machine for mechanical issues like soft foot, worn bearings, or unstable foundations, which could be the root cause of the misalignment.

Q & A

Why is precise shaft alignment important in industrial equipment?

Precise shaft alignment ensures efficient operation, reduces energy consumption, prevents excessive wear on bearings, seals, and couplings, and extends the overall life of the machinery.

What are the main types of shaft misalignment described in the script?

The three main types of shaft misalignment are parallel misalignment, angular misalignment, and combination misalignment, which includes elements of both parallel and angular misalignment.

How does laser alignment differ from traditional alignment methods like the straightedge or dial indicator?

Laser alignment is more precise, faster, and easier to perform. It reduces measurement errors caused by sagging or difficult readings, automates calculations, and provides step-by-step digital guidance.

What are the three primary components of laser alignment equipment?

The three primary components are the handheld computer, the mounting brackets, and the optic heads that contain lasers and detectors.

What safety precautions should be taken when working with laser alignment systems?

Never look directly into the laser beam, avoid reflective surfaces that can redirect the beam, limit the beam’s path during rotation, and always read the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.

What are the differences between Class 1 and Class 2 lasers used in alignment equipment?

Class 1 lasers produce no known hazard and can emit visible or invisible beams, while Class 2 lasers produce visible beams that are generally safe due to the natural aversion reaction to bright light.

What is 'soft foot,' and why must it be corrected before alignment?

Soft foot occurs when one or more feet of a machine do not rest evenly on the base, causing movement or shifting when bolts are tightened. It must be corrected to ensure accurate alignment results.

What are the eight main steps in a typical laser shaft alignment procedure?

The steps are: 1) Mount the brackets, 2) Install the optic heads, 3) Enter machine dimensions, 4) Adjust optic heads, 5) Take alignment measurements, 6) Display alignment conditions, 7) Display correction values, and 8) Adjust the driver unit.

What benefits do technicians gain by switching from mechanical to laser alignment methods?

Technicians benefit from improved precision, reduced alignment time, easier setup, automated calculations, and the ability to check alignment during preventive maintenance or while equipment is operating.

What should technicians do if the alignment measurements remain outside tolerances after several adjustments?

They should inspect for underlying mechanical problems such as soft foot, worn bearings, a damaged coupling, or unstable foundations, as these issues may prevent accurate alignment.

How does the computer assist in the laser alignment process?

The computer records laser readings, calculates misalignment values, displays alignment conditions, and provides step-by-step correction instructions to guide the technician during adjustments.

Why is it recommended to perform laser alignment while the equipment is at operating temperature?

Performing alignment at operating temperature accounts for thermal expansion, ensuring that the shafts remain properly aligned during normal operation when heat affects their dimensions.