Equipment Alignment – How Important Is It?
At PTL, we know the importance of correct equipment alignment and what it means to your project installation
We know that poor installation can cause early failure of your equipment. Wear and tear on any moving part can cause failure, but 65% of failures can be traced back to improper installation. Of these failures, 36% can be traced back to misalignment and soft foot* conditions.
Soft foot occurs when all supporting members of the asset do not equally support the asset. Soft foot can be caused by poor machine supports, dirt or paint under the asset or the anchor bolts incorrectly torqued during grouting.
Misalignment is the condition when the centerlines of two co-axial shafts don’t form a straight line. Misalignment can reduce bearing life, coupling life, increase vibration and reduce seal life. There are two types of misalignment:
- Horizontal
- Vertical
And within each of these planes, there are two types of misalignment:
- Angular
- Offset
Angular misalignment indicates that the face of the shafts or couplings is not at right angles or parallel to each other.
Offset misalignment indicates that the centerlines are parallel, but not in line.
Horizontal angular misalignment is best corrected with jack screws or alignment screws to push the asset into alignment.
Vertical angular misalignment is corrected with the use of shims to lift and level the asset.
At PTL, we know about equipment installation and the importance of proper machine alignment. We utilize more than 30 years of industrial experience to tackle our industry’s toughest challenges with innovative solutions. Our reputation for customer satisfaction and quality, as well as competitive pricing, and experience make PTL a trusted source for businesses of all sizes. If you have any questions, give us a call at (931) 647-0675 or contact us today.