SKF Shaft Alignment Tool

Soft foot app

Instructions for use

Table of contents
1. Using the Soft foot app ............................................................................................................. 2
1.1 How to change the app language ..............................................................................................................2
1.2 Soft foot overview ........................................................................................................................................3
1.3 Principle of operation...................................................................................................................................3
1.4 Main menu ....................................................................................................................................................4
1.5 Settings .........................................................................................................................................................5
1.6 Select units ....................................................................................................................................................6
1.7 Machine information ....................................................................................................................................7
1.8 Sensor status ................................................................................................................................................8
1.9 Measuring procedure ...................................................................................................................................9
1.10 “As Found” measuring results ................................................................................................................. 10
1.11 Correction ................................................................................................................................................... 10
1.12 “As Corrected” measuring results ........................................................................................................... 11
1.13 Report ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.14 Machine library .......................................................................................................................................... 13

Original instructions

EN 1
1. Using the 1.1 How to change the app language
Soft foot app The app will adapt to the language and date format
currently used by the operating device.
“SKF Shaft alignment”
• To change the language of an iOS device, tap:
Settings --> General --> Language & Region

• To change the language of an Android device:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Under Controls tab, select Language and input.
3. Tap on Language English.
4. Select your preferred language.
5. The tablet switches immediately to the new
language.
SKF Shaft Alignment Tool
Soft foot app N O T E : The alignment apps are available in
8 languages. The app uses the same language
that is used as the system language of the
TKSA DISPLAY.
If the app does not support the selected language,
English is used as the default alternative.

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1.2 Soft foot overview 1.3 Principle of operation
Soft foot is the common term used for the improper The TKSA 51 and TKSA 71 are both
contact between a machine housing, and the Line Laser Shaft Alignment Systems.
baseplate used to support it. This type of system has two measuring units that
It is a major cause of repeatability problems in are mounted on each shaft, or on each side of the
shaft alignment measurements. coupling.
While loosening and tightening each of the four
Causes of Soft foot conditions: bolts, the movements will be registered and shown
• Twisted machinery foundations or baseplates. in the displaying device.
• Twisted or damaged machinery feet. Corrections of the machine feet can be made
• Improper amount of shims under machine feet instantly and by performing a Remeasure it is
or bent or deformed shim. straightforward to conirm the adjustments.
• Dirt or other unwanted materials under Movement information from the measuring units
machine feet. is wirelessly communicated through Bluetooth Low
Energy to the displaying device, which calculates and
advises corrective adjustments of the machine feet.

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1.4 Main menu
Start the app by tapping on the Soft foot app icon,
found on the home screen of the device. This will
take you to the main menu.

I M P O R TA N T: Make sure you have read the

instructions for use for your TKSA hardware.

a. Resume
If you have an ongoing alignment you will ind it to
the left in the main menu, with the possibility to
resume it.

b. New Measurement
Tap on the plus sign (“+”) to start a new
measurement . If a current measurement is in
progress you will be asked if you want to start a new
measurement or resume the current one.

c. Settings
Access the editable settings.

d. Machine library
Access the library for machines and reports.

e Help
Access help videos and the Instructions For Use
document.

f. Edit
The reports can be deleted via Edit, which is located
in the upper right corner of the view. Delete reports
by tapping on Edit, then tap the reports to be
deleted and inish by tapping the trash can symbol in
the upper left corner of the view.

g. Reports
Previously created reports are shown as miniatures
below the main menu buttons. Tapping a report will
open it for viewing, editing, printing and e-mailing.

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1.5 Settings

a. Report template
Company, Operator and Logo is additional
information that is included in generated reports.

b. Sensor values
Sensor values is an option to display the detector
readings and rotational angles during the
measurement.

c. Extended filter length

Measurement values are iltered over time, allowing
accurate measurements in the presence of external
disturbances, or instance laser beam delection due
to air disturbances. The Extended ilter length option
enables the sample time to be increased up to
20 seconds.

d. Hardware
The connected measuring units. Tap
Select Hardware if you want to select other units.

e. Unit
For the ability to change between metric and
imperial measuring units. The displayed unit is
normally based on the system unit, but you can
override this and change between metric and
imperial units.

f. Done
Complete any changes in Settings by tapping Done.

EN 5
1.6 Select units
The Bluetooth wireless communication will establish
a connection between the device and the two
measuring units. You will be informed if there is a
need to turn on Bluetooth on the device.

N O T E : That the irst time, you have to select the

measuring units that you want to use in the system.
Connect to the measuring units by tapping one
S (stationary) unit and one M (movable) unit in the
lists. The app will remember your chosen measuring
units and will attempt to connect to these units at
your next alignment.

The app features a Demo Mode which allows most

functionalities to be tested without having physical
measuring units available. The Demo Mode option is
found at the bottom of the Select Units view.

6 EN
1.7 Machine information
The Machine Information view is displayed when a
new measurement has been initiated. The view is
also reachable from the upper right corner of the
screen.

a. Search
Tap the magnifying glass to search for machines in
the library.

b. QR code scan
Tap the QR code icon to scan for codes that are
associated with machines in the library. If found, the
machine info will be illed out for that machine.

c. Machine ID f. Report Information

Enter a machine name that will be the identiication Enter a report name that will be the identiication of
of the machine. the report.
The Machine ID can be associated to a QR code. Add up to four Report Photos that will be added to
Tap Add QR code and scan the label with the the last page of the report.
camera. For a machine ID that is associated with
a QR code you have the possibility to remove the g. Done
QR code. Complete any changes in Machine Information by
tapping Done.
d. Distances
Enter the four distances for the machine to be
measured. Tap on the distance to select and specify
a new value. The distances entered from the
previous measurement will be the default values.

1. Measure and enter the distance between the

center of the rods on the stationary side and the
center of the coupling.
2. Measure and enter the distance between the
center of the coupling and the center of the rods
on the movable side.
3. Measure and enter the distance between the
rods of the movable side and the front feet
(center of feet).
4. Measure and enter the distance between the
front and back feet (center of feet).

e. Machine photo
Add a photo to be associated with the machine
(optional).

EN 7
1.8 Sensor status
The Sensor Status appears if you have a warning
or stop issue during the setup. It also appears if you
tap the warning / stop sign or the Sensor Status
button in the lower left corner of the screen during
a measurement.
If a warning appears, Setup Assistance at the bottom
of the view provides help to correct any issues.
Warning signs can be ignored, but a stop sign is
shown when it is not possible to read essential
sensor values.

Warnings are shown when:

• Battery level is below 10% of full charge.
• Laser beam is more than 2 mm [80 mils] from
the center target during the setup.
• Laser beam is too close to the edge of the
detector.
• Rotational angle difference is more than 2°
between measuring units.

Stops signs are shown when:

• There is no Bluetooth connection.
• No laser beam is detected.

T I P : The Sensor Status can be used to review

temporary data, on the detector values and the
rotation angles, during the measurement.
When the results are shown, lasers are turned off
and no detector values are available in this view.

a. Serial number and connected status

Serial number and connected status indicate if any
measuring units are connected.

b. Battery level
Indicates the charge levels for the internal batteries.

c. Detector
The detector values show the distances between the
center of the detectors and where the laser beams
hit the detectors.

d. Rotational angle and angle difference

The rotational angles and angle differences can
be used for precise positioning of the two facing
measuring units.

e. Select hardware
Lists the connected measuring units. Tap Select
Hardware if you want to select other units.

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f. Done
When no warnings are displayed tap Done to
proceed to the measurement.

1.9 Measuring procedure

Place the Measuring Units in the upright position
(0° ±5°).

If a red arrow is shown, between the measuring

units, this means that the axes have not been
rotated to an optimal position, where the soft foot
data will be recorded.
Turn the shaft until the arrow disappears.

The software will automatically position the

3-dimensional view of the machine to focus on
the current task at hand, but the user also has the
possibility to rotate the modeled machine manually
if preferred.

Record loose and tightened values for each foot.

Tighten each bolt, using a bolt torque pattern
like this one. This will minimize the effect of any
remaining soft foot. The app will follow this order
and the screen will guide you to the correct foot.

The record button collects measurement data for

the current foot. These are the colors of the record
button during a measurement:

• Green: The button is green when the

measuring units are positioned within 0° ± 5°
and the bolt animation is complete.

• Red: The button is red when the measuring

units are positioned outside the acceptable
range (0° ± 5°) or when the bolt animation has
not completed yet. It is not possible to record
any measurement values in this state.

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1.10 “As Found” measuring results
The movement that occurs when a loose machine is
tightened will be registered by the measuring units.
The app calculates how big this movement is at the
each foot and displays the result.

a. Correction
If needed, performe vertical corrections by tapping
Corrections.

b. Done
Accept the “As Found” results by tapping Done.
This creates a report wich is placed below the main
menu.

N O T E : That it is possible to resume the

measurement after Done has been selected.

1.11 Correction
In the example, two of the feet values are
signiicantly larger than the other two.
This is a common soft foot issue, where two of
the feet have better contact with the machine
foundation than the other two.
Shim the feet with the highest values.

a. Assistance
Shows suggestions for correction.

The lasers are turned of during the correction so

perform a Remeasurement to update the values.

b. Remeasure
After the corrections: Tap Remeasure and perform a
new measurement, which will record new soft foot
values.

c. Done
Accept the “As Found” results by tapping Done.
This creates a report wich is placed below the main
menu.

N O T E : That it is possible to resume the

measurement after Done has been selected.

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1.12 “As Corrected” measuring results

a. Remeasure
Performe a remeasurement to display the current
values after the correction.

b. Done
Accept the “As Corrected” results by tapping
Done. This completes the report, which previously
contained only the “As Found” results.

EN 11
1.13 Report
The reports are automatically generated as PDF
iles and they are displayed on the main menu, with
the most recent alignment in the upper left corner.
A report automatically contains measuring data
for both the “As Found” and “As Corrected” results
when a complete alignment has been performed.

Shaft Alignment Report

a. Edit report Soft Foot
The report contains information from the Report Name

measurement and can be completed with additional Machine ID Date

04/05/17 13:18
information. Tap anywhere in the report to edit. Company Operator

Notes

100 100 200 300

Stationary Unit (S): Demo 1

Movable Unit (M): Demo 2

Result
As Found As Corrected

b. Signature
Tap the Signature field and write your signature in
the opening Sign Report view. If a signed report is
to be edited then the editor will be informed of a
Signature
signature removal. The user will have to conirm this
...............................................................
before editing is possible.

c. Share report
While viewing a report it is possible to share it
through for instance email or by printing it.
The sharing functionality is available in the upper
right corner of the view.

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1.14 Machine library
The Machine library is a convenient way to search
and select previously measured machines and
reports.

a. Machine library
Displays a list with Machine ID and the Reports from
previously measured machines.

b. Search
Tap the search field to sort out the Machine ID’s in
the list.

c. Machine info
Select a Machine ID to view the corresponding
machine info.

d. New alignment
Tap to use the shown machine info as a template for
a new measurement.

e. List of reports
Tap the number of reports to display a list with
corresponding reports with the date for each report.

f. Report
Select a report to view it.

g. Share report
While viewing a report it is possible to share it
through for instance email or by printing it.
The sharing functionality is available in the upper
right corner of the view.

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© SKF Group 2018
The contents of this publication are the copyright of the publisher and may not be reproduced (even
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of the information contained in this publication but no liability can be accepted for any loss or damage
whether direct, indirect or consequential arising out of the use of the information contained herein.
MP5468 EN · 2018/02