What are you guys using for motor shaft/coupling alignment?

[Shockwave]

We have 2 almost 30yr old 75hp motors we are replacing in our building. I am wondering what recommendations you have for the motor/coupling alignment?

Any links to what you may purchase or recommend would be appreciated.

[acjourneyman]

I do it the old fashioned way with dial indicators but electronic is the way to go.

[John Culpepper]

If it's close I use a credit card if it's long I use a yard stick. It works.

[springer ray]

dial indicators here.

[chillerguy81]

Indicators here also. The laser equipment is nice but espensive. Here is a link to a manual that might help y'all out.

http://cbs.grundfos.com/export/sites/dk.grundfos.cbs/USA/whitepaper/Download_Files/L-CBS-WP-01_Alignment_FINAL_0409_Low_Res.pdf

[y7turbo]

We hire an alignment company to come in and do it for us.

[flange]

use zero flex couplings, if they shed rubber, you got isues. also if your bearings start to cry, big problems on the horizon. for two motors, dial indicators, electronic isnt a good investment for two units.

[turbomaster]

Ludeca shaftalign.

[ispip]

Shaft hog by vibrAlign and the belt hog is very good too.

[amickracing]

Go laser! Well that is if you need a good excuse to buy a cool new toy.

Depends on what kind of connector you're using, for some a good straight edge, a good flashlight and perhaps some feeler gauges or pieces of paper will do the trick. For others, dial indicators are the way to go (aside from laser of course lol).

I use dial indicators on almost anything provided I have the time. I typically try to get within .005" on everything, or closer if it needs it. That might sound tight, and it is the 1st few times you do it. Once you get a feel for it and have some practice .005" is pretty easy to get.

[Octopus]

I use a set of parallels a 123 block and a dial indicator.

[ga1279]

A place I used to work,state college, if the pump got to the right room it was considered lined up. I would hazard to guess we are talking pumps here. If you are going with a Thomas style coupling then definitely use dial indicators with reverse reading practice. If you are going with a Woods Flex Coupling, then a machinist level. good set of calipers will work. You can use a dial indicator set if you want a professional job. The laser equipment is quite costly and unless you are doing critical equipment alignment day in day out it won't pay for itself. I did a job for a major oil company here and they paid, for me to go to school and learn how to use there laser alignment equipment. It was an outstanding class all paid for including meals and entertainment. When I returned to the plant they had about 50 pumps from 25hp to 100hp all fitted with Woods couplings. Kinda like shoveling s%$t with an eyedropper IMHO. Another plant we do work in has their millwrights laser align all pumps and compressors. On there best day they can't get shafts aligned to within 1/16" on any plane. As long as the green indicator is on it's good. Anytime we change pumps or compressors we let them go at it, then do a vibrational test, redo the alignment ourselves and take another set of vibe readings. That way we are not back there in two weeks changing bearings, seals and or couplings. I still did like that Laser equipment, just not cost effective in our work-GEO

[John Culpepper]

I must be pretty darn good cuz I haven't had to change belts on my 60hp blowers in 3years.