Shaft Coupling and Alignment

SHAFT COUPLING AND
ALIGNMENT
Prepared By
Gulam Murtaja
CONTENTS:-
• Introduction / Definition
• What are the symptoms of misalignment
• Pre alignment checks
• Type of Alignment
• Alignment Method
• Effect of Misalignment
• Benefit of Shaft Alignment
INTRODUCTION/ DEFINITION
Shaft alignment is the act of measuring the relative position
of two machines that are coupled and repositioning them so
that the rotational axes of the two shafts form a straight line
(collinear) when the machines are at normal operating
temperatures.
What are the symptoms of misalignment:-
 Premature bearing, seal, shaft, or coupling failures.
 Excessive radial and axial vibration.
 High casing temperatures at or near the bearings.
 Excessive amount of oil leakage at the bearing seals.
 Loose foundation bolts or broken coupling bolts.
 The Shaft are breaking (or checking) at or close to the
inboard bearing or coupling hubs.
Pre Alignment Checks Soft Foot-
 This condition occurs most frequently

well known as table leg condition. Soft
foot cause frame distortion.
 Two methods are commonly used for
soft foot correction.
 Tighten the all hold down bolts then
loosen one bolt at a time and note the
deflection.
 Soft Foot Checks
• Dial Gage
• Feeler Gage
Pre Alignment Check Bracket Sag:-
The Inclination towards downwards in alignment Bracket
due to gravitational force is called Bracket Sag.
 Corrected Indicator Readings.
 True Indicator Readings = Measured Readings – Sag
Readings.
Pre Alignment Checks Run out:-
 Check for run out before the

alignment process begins. Use a
dial indicator and magnetic base.
Zero the indicator on the outside
diameter of the coupling hub.
Slowly rotate the shaft to look
for run out, and measure the
amount
Types of Alignment:-
Before we start learning about the procedure
for alignment it is very important that we
first know the types of misalignments.
Generally there are three main types of
misalignments.
 Parallel (also known as offset)
 Angular (also known as gap)
 Combination - In Parallel or offset
misalignment, two shaft to be aligned have
centerlines the are parallel to each other but
are in offset condition.
Alignment Method:-
 Straightedge alignment.
 Dial Indicators.
 Laser shaft.
Straightedge alignment:-
Straight Edge.
This method involves placing
the straight edge on the pump
and coupling, then visually
checking to see if the
components are aligned.
Dial Indicators :-
 Dial indicators are measuring
devices designed expressly to
measure relative position. The
primary parts of a dial indicator are
the face or dial, the case, and the
plunger. The plunger is a spring
loaded part that can be depressed
into the case causing the dial to
move clockwise.
Laser Alignment:-
Laser shaft alignment is a method of
achieving shaft co-linearity—
horizontal and vertical straightness—
with a laser. Achieving shaft
alignment is a perennial task in
machinery maintenance: roughly half
of all machinery fails due to some
degree of misalignment and requires
connecting shafts to be tested and re-
aligned.
Effects of Misalignment:-
 Excessive Vibration – Misalignment is one of the leading causes of
equipment vibration. In spite of self-aligning bearings and flexible
couplings,
 Noise – Like vibration, noise can be detected simply by noticing a
change in the equipment sounds during operation. All running
equipment produces a certain normal amount of noise. Only if an
operator is familiar with normal equipment noise will they be able to
detect abnormal sounds.
 Lost Production – Misalignment can directly affect the lifetime of
equipment. With a shortened service life, equipment will require
unplanned maintenance, thereby reducing the time available for
production.
 Poor Quality of Products – Product quality can suffer directly from
equipment misalignment. Misalignment can cause both the
manufacturing process to produce defects and directly damage product.
 Higher than Normal Repair Orders – Misalignment-induced
failures will increase the amount of unplanned maintenance, causing
more repair orders to be generated.
 Increased Inventory of Spare Parts - As the amount of
maintenance increases due to misalignment-induced failures, more
spare parts will need to be ordered. This results in increased spending
and a larger spare parts inventory.
 Reduced Profits – As machines fail early and unexpectedly, more
money must be spent for maintenance and spare parts. Coupled with
lower production, misalignments can rapidly reduce profitability.
Benefit of Shaft Alignment:-
 Friction, resulting in excessive wear,

excessive energy consumption.
 The possibility of premature breakdown
of equipment.
Reduce  Wear on bearings and seals, leading to
premature failure.
 Premature shaft and coupling failure.
 Excessive seal lubricant leakage.
 Failure of coupling and foundation bolts.
 Vibration and noise.
Conclusion:-
Shaft alignment increases reliability of machines as well as it is

cost saving method in industries.
So,
Shaft alignment is must performed after motor, pump, and

coupling replacement.
Thank You

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SHAFT COUPLING AND

 This condition occurs most frequently

 Check for run out before the

 Friction, resulting in excessive wear,

Shaft alignment increases reliability of machines as well as it is

Shaft alignment is must performed after motor, pump, and

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