S H AF T

ALIGNMENT

Contents
Basic terms
What is shaft alignment
Why is shaft alignment so important
Types of alignment
Alignment methods
Alignment Tolerances chart
Causes of misalignment

Basic terms in shaft alignment

Co-linearity
Rotational centers
Misalignment
Stationary and Movable Machines
Horizontal and vertical misalignment

What is shaft alignment?

Shaft alignment is the positioning of the

rotational centers of two shafts such that

they are co-linear when the machines are
under normal operation.

Why is shaft alignment so important?

When shafts are misalign, forces are

generated in the coupling. Energy will be

lost and increased loads will be placed on
any mechanical components which
provide for rotation, seals, bearing
housing, etc
snap

Types of misalignment
Shaft alignment begin by defining two

types of misalignment:
1.Offset misalignment
2.Angular misalignment

Alignment methods
There are a wide variety of methods for

measuring alignment, the most common ones

are:
1.Mechanical method
2.Dial indicator method
a) Rim-Face method
b) Reverse Rim method
3.Laser method

Alignment Tolerances chart

RPM
3600
1800
1200
900

Angular misalinment
Mils/inch
0.001/1
Excellent
Acceptable
0.3
0.5
0.5
0.7
0.7
1
1
1.5

Offset misalignment
Mils
0.001
Excellent
Acceptable
1
2
2
4
3
6
4
8

Causes of misalignment
Increased vibration
Increased energy loss
Increased load on bearings, seals and

other mechanical components

Reduced production capacity
Reduced product quality

Vibration
Misalignment causes vibrations. Vibrations
are measured horizontally, vertically and
axially and there are some rules of thumb in
the analysis of the vibrations.
Horizontal vibrations indicate imbalance (H).
Vertical vibrations indicate a weak or loose
foundation (V).
Axial vibrations indicate misalignment (A)

Vibration

Alignment methods
Straight Edge
Reverse Rim
Rim-Face

Laser

Co-linearity
Two shafts are said to be co-linear when

their respective rotational centers form a

single line.

Rotational centers
All shafts, whether they are straight or bent,

rotate on an axis called the rotational center.

The rotational center forms a straight line.

Misalignment
Shafts are misaligned when their rotational

centerlines are not co-linear, when the

machines are operating.

Stationary and Movable Machines

When aligning any two machines, one is

designated as stationary and one as movable.

Horizontal and vertical misalignment

Horizontal Misalignment

Misalignment conditions viewed from the top and corrected by sliding

the front and back of the machine from side to side are termed
horizontal misalignment.
Vertical Misalignment

Misalignment conditions viewed from the side (elevation) and corrected

by making shim changes at the front and back of the machine are
termed vertical misalignment.

Horizontal Misalignment

Vertical Misalignment

1.Offset misalignment
In shaft alignment, offset misalignment pertains

to the deviation of one shaft centerline from

another shaft centerline at a given point (or
plane) along the length.

2.Angular misalignment
Angular misalignment is most easily defined

as the slope relationship between two

rotational centers.

1.Mechanical Method
Straight edge/feeler gauge method:
Offset misalignment is measured using a

straight edge and set of feeler gauges.

Angular misalignment is measured by using

feeler gauges, taper gauges.

snap

Straight edges
Offset

Angular

2. Dial Indicator Methods

Rim-Face Method:
This was the standard method of alignment.
When using a rim-face method, one
measurement is taken on the rim of the
coupling to determine shaft offset. Another
measurement is taken on the face of the
coupling to determine shaft angularity.

Rim-Face Method:

Why is shaft alignment so important?

Forces generates
on coupling

Damaged seal

T H AN K
YOU
GHULAM MOHIUDDIN