DYNAMIC ALIGNMENT CHECK

The only true measure of contact is under normal running conditions. This is
necessary because of the effects of shell temperature, change in deflection of the
shell or support structure, pinion shaft motion in the bearing clearance, motion of
the foundation, shell shift in trunnion bearing clearance, etc. The initial alignment
of the gear and pinion with feeler gauges and indicators is important and a good
starting point, but the dynamic contact under normal load determines the load
distribution across the face. The dynamic alignment is checked by using both the
layout dye and the temperature measurement methods.

CHECK THE CONTACT USING LAYOUT DYE

After thoroughly cleaning the gear teeth, paint three teeth at six equally spaced
positions around the gear with layout dye, which should be oil resistant. Install the
gear guard enclosure around the gearing and lubricate the teeth. Run the
equipment for six to eight hours at a minimum of 50% of full load. After the
equipment is stopped, remove the lubricant from the marked teeth without
removing the remaining layout dye. The layout dye should wear off of 95% of the
face width of the gear teeth at each position which will indicate that the gear and
pinion are in good alignment.

If a gear has axial runout, the contact will vary from one side of the gear face to the
other in a sinusoidal pattern with each rotation of the gear. The contact pattern on
the pinion will migrate accordingly. However, inspection of the pinion teeth would
show 100% contact, but in truth, it could be 50% contact on one side of the face
during half of the gear rotation, and 50% contact on the other side during the rest
of the rotation. A better indication of contact can be obtained by checking more gear
locations.

If anything other than 95% face contact at 50% of full load at all locations is found,
realignment is required. When determining which direction to move the pinion or
the shell, it is necessary to evaluate the contact patterns and relate them to the
pinion rotation. Figures below offer some ideas for adjustments based on the
contact patterns.
It will be necessary to repeat the above layout dye test after making any alignment
adjustments.
INTERPRETATION OF LOAD CARRYING / CONTACT RATIO PATTERN