Optimal Pumping Through Proper Shaft Alignment

October 26, 2026

Regular maintenance and upkeep of the equipment and ensuring that the machinery is kept greased and correctly aligned are crucial components in ensuring that the equipment continues to operate efficiently.

When rotating equipment's shafts or belts are not appropriately aligned, the unit's chance of expensive, unexpected downtime drastically increases. Seals and couplings are also harmed when there is a misalignment. Problems with lubrication may frequently be traced back to seals damaged due to the shaft or belt not being correctly aligned. Simply replacing a seal will not prevent future seal failure and the attendant loss of lubrication; the issue can only be resolved by adjusting the misalignment of the component.

The unit stress will rise if the shafts or belts are not correctly aligned. This will lead to various possible difficulties, all of which can harm the bottom line of the firm.

Misalignment of the Shaft

A misaligned shaft can be responsible for as much as fifty per cent of the total expenditures associated with spinning machinery malfunctioning. When shafts are not aligned correctly, many machine failures can be avoided, as can a significant portion of the unscheduled downtime that leads to a loss of output. The importance of proper shaft alignment has never been higher than in the current challenging context of lowering costs and increasing the efficiency of assets.

Proper Shaft Alignment

The machine's horizontal and vertical planes must be aligned to function correctly. Misalignment can result from either parallel or angular misalignment, or it might result from a mix of the two. Misalignment may be divided into two primary categories: parallel misalignment (offset misalignment) and angular misalignment. Parallel misalignment occurs when the centre lines of both shafts travel parallel to one another, yet they are not in alignment with one another. Angular misalignment occurs when the shafts are not aligned directly with one another.

How It Is Done

Visual examination and a straightedge or ruler are traditional alignment procedures. The maintenance inspector positions the straightedge on two bearings supporting one or more shafts and visually checks for alignment. Such quick and easy alignment procedures are imprecise and don't achieve the precision demanded by today's precision technology.

Dial indicators measure misalignment. Dial indicators are more accurate, but they have drawbacks. They demand technical talent and patience to utilise successfully. They don't give real-time information to measure and align concurrently. Each alignment adjustment requires removing and reinstalling dial indications. Getting necessary measures like feet and coupling can be time-consuming. Feet readings reflect if the machine's pedestal or footing is loose. Coupling values indicate a coupling's integrity.

Laser-guided tools are rapid, accurate, easy to use, and require only one installation. They are more accurate than dial indicators and don't require particular abilities to be correct. Laser-guided shaft alignment tools have two components: emitting and detecting laser beams and a portable control device.

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