Before we start learning alignment this is very important to know the types of misalignment planes and types of misalignment.
Generally there are two misalignment planes that we have to correct:
1) Vertical and
2) Horizontal.
In general there are two types of misalignment.
1) Parallel (also known as Offset)
2) Angular (also known as Gap).
Therefore, in the case of making a machine-train by using at least two machines, four types of misalignment can occur:
a) Vertical Offset
b) Vertical Angularity
c) Horizontal Offset, and
d) Horizontal Angularity.
These can occur in any combination and in many cases, all four are present.
Vertical:
Vertical misalignment means that the misalignment of the shafts in the vertical plane. In vertical misalignment both angular and offset misalignment can occur.
Offset (Parallel) vertical misalignment happens when the motor shafts is moved vertically away from the pump shaft, but both shafts still operate in the same vertical plane and parallel.
Gap (Angular) vertical misalignment occurs when the motor shaft is at an angle with the pump shaft, However, both shafts still operate within the same vertical plane.
Vertical misalignment, which is corrected by the employment of Shims.
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| MIS-ALIGNMENT PLANES-- VIEW |
Horizontal:
Horizontal misalignment means that the misalignment of the shaft in the horizontal plane. Just like vertical misalignment, in horizontal misalignment also both angular and offset misalignment can occur.
Offset (Parallel) horizontal misalignment happens when the motor shaft is moved horizontally away from the pump shaft, but both shafts still operate in the same horizontal plane and parallel.
Gap (Anhular) horizontal misalignment occurs when the motor shaft is at an angle with the pump shaft. However both shafts operate within the same horizontal plane.
Horizontal misalignment, which is not corrected by employing Shims. This type of misalignment is corrected by physically moving the MTBM.
Alignment Tolerances:
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| ALIGNMENT TOLERANCES |