What is laser alignment?
When you connect a motor shaft to a pump shaft they need to be properly aligned. The alignment usually involves placing shims (small metal plates of various thicknesses) under one or more of the motor feet. Often this is accomplished using a straight-edge or reverse dial indicator placed along the shaft coupling to determine where to place the shims. This is a time consuming process and is often less accurate due to the fact that the shafts can be out of alignment in more than one dimension.
Using a laser unit to align the shafts and place the shims is less time consuming and a much more accurate method; the laser unit accounts for all dimensions, and it is accurate to within 0.05 mils (0.001 millimeters)
The laser units are attached to each shaft or coupling half and then connected to the display unit. The technician then uses the laser to determine how to adjust the motor to align the two shafts. The display unit tells the technician the measured offset in both the vertical and horizontal positions, what size of shims are required and where they need to be placed. After the shims are placed, the alignment is checked again and further adjustments can be made. The pump and motor are then tested to make sure that there is no vibration.
What are some typical problems that arise from poor alignment?
- Higher energy consumption
- Leaking mechanical seals
- Increased vibration
- Bearing failure
- Shaft breakage
- Coupling wear
What equipment would benefit from laser alignment?
Laser alignment is for all long-coupled pumps - pumps where the motor shaft and the pump shaft need to be connected by a coupler.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Fire pumps
- Chiller pumps
- Flange-mounted pumps
- Cardan-shaft-coupled
- Machine trains
What is the difference between a long-coupled and close-coupled pump?
A long-coupled pump is any pump and motor combination where each part (pump and motor) has a separate shaft and the shafts are connected by some sort of coupling device.
Long-coupled pump
A close-coupled pump is any pump and motor combination where the pump shares the same shaft as the motor. No coupling device is used.
Close-coupled pump
What do I get when I have my pumps laser aligned by Gustavo Preston Service Company?
- A soft foot check, which makes sure the motor is resting evenly on all its feet
- Offset measurement of the pump and motor shafts
- Angular measurement of the pump and motor shafts
- A tolerance check of both the shafts
- Thermal growth compensation adjustment (if required)
- Adjustment of the motor feet as required
- A printed report of the alignment mailed to you with your invoice
How often do I need to align my pumps?
- If you notice increased energy usage from the pump
- Every time you change or move the motor
- Whenever you change the mechanical seal or any part of the rotating assembly
- If you notice vibrations in your pump equipment
What are the benefits of laser alignment?
- Save money on repairs
- Save money on energy
- Increase equipment uptime
- Increase the usable life of the pump
- Reduce equipment vibrations
What is Mean Time Before Failure?
Often abreviated as MTBF, it is the average time a pump or other piece of equipment works without failing. To get MTBF, take the number of failures and divide it by the hours the pump runs. The basic idea is that less failure means less down time and fewer repair costs.
If you have any other questions, please contact us by phone or email
Contact us for more information or to schedule a visit
10 Kidder Road, Suite 8 • Chelmsford, MA 01824
email: service@gustavopreston.com
Tel. 978-250-3333 • Fax 978-256-9611
