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8
What is certainly important is that you understand the principles about connecting two
rotating machines together via their shafts. We generally refer to this feat as "alignment", so
let's spend some time in this subject, because much of your time spent on plant or
equipment maintenance will be spent on such tasks.
THE PRINCIPLES OF ALIGNMENT
As a general rule most plant operating equipment is run, or powered, by an electric or diesel
motor. For purposes of maintenance it is convenient to be able to separate the motor from
the equipment being driven. Several methods are used to "connect" a motor to a piece of
machinery (e.g. V-belts, roller-chains, gears or in-line couplings).
This programme deals only with "in-line" or "linear" couplings, whereby two shafts are
connected on their common axis.
In an ideal or perfect situation two units coupled together at their shafts would be
absolutely coincident, meaning that the two shafts would lie perfectly upon a common
centre, whether rotating or at rest.
This situation seldom occurs in practice. There are many reasons why; some obvious, others
less obvious. Draughtsmen and engineers strive for the "perfect-alignment" situation, but so
far it has been an impossible dream. Why is this? Well, for instance, as you know, a shaft is
supported by a pair of bearings. Bearings must have a certain amount of "clearance"
otherwise no rolling action could occur. As bearing clearances vary slightly, there will be a
certain amount of "free-play" either up and down (radial) or in and out (axial) at the shaft
end.
Further, machinery is usually mounted upon a concrete base, or at least the metal - plate is
secured into concrete. "Settling" of the base is commonly encountered whereby slight
movement causes one machine to move "off-line" with the other. We are not talking large
amounts, but a 1 mm movement of the bed plate can impose an angular deflection of shaft
centres of several degrees. Let's study these concepts in diagram form.
Fig. 14
Perfect alignment exists only when shaft centres are absolutely coincident, at rest and
rotating. Any deviation from the coincident centre line is considered as miss.-alignment.
Certain tolerances of miss-alignment are "allowed" and these are usually evident and
measured at the coupling area.