Laser Alignment
One of the most common reliability issues suffered by pumps and industrial rotating equipment is misalignment of the drive shaft and the driven shaft at the coupling. This misalignment dramatically increases bearing loads, heat generation, vibration, coupling damage, energy consumption and machine down time.
Excessive vibration caused by shaft misalignment is generally responsible for loosening of foundation bolts, pipe strain, impellers to come loose on the shaft and premature catastrophic failure of the pump or machine.
Traditional methods for shaft alignment including the use of straight edges, taper gauges and dial indicators can be effective if performed by an experienced operator, however notoriously take a long time to achieve adequate alignment.
Precision Pump Systems utilizes the latest technology in laser alignment equipment and precision pre-cut stainless steel shims to achieve perfect shaft alignment every time. The Fixture Laser system stores the final reading and provides a report of the final alignment result for accurate maintenance records. It is very easy to check alignment periodically and compare the results with previous records to ensure that the pump base plate and installation hold the alignment or if some work needs to be done to the installation to maintain the reliability of the shaft alignment.
Accurate and reliable shaft alignment will invariably achieve the following benefits:
- Smooth and reliable operation
- Dramatically reduce bearing wear and premature bearing failure
- Reduce fatigue on shafts and drive couplings
- Reduced heat production
- Dramatically reduces energy consumption
- Reduces issues arising from foundation bolts and pipe work fasteners loosening
- Impellers stay securely fastened to shafts
- Significant reduction in machine down time and maintenance costs