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Shaft Alignment Math

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Peterson Alignment kits utilize the rim-and-face method of shaft

alignment. A general description of the procedure follows.

If you would like, start out with an outline of what's involved in doing
an alignment.

Two dial indicators are used to obtain numbers from the "moveable"
side of a pump-coupling-motor assembly. By using two dial
indicators, one mounted perpendicular to the shaft (radial), and one
parallel to the shaft (angular), we can correct for both a height
difference (radial) between the two machines, and an angle
difference between them (angularity).

The dials are held in place via a frame and tubing assembly
originating on the "stationary" side of the coupling. For purposes of
continuity and simplicity, the stationary side of the coupling will
always be to the left. (Our Alignment Manager software allows you to
choose which side of the coupling you would like to be the moveable
side, but it will not be covered here).

It is then assumed that we need to calculate correction amounts

(should there be any) to bring the moveable side (to the right of the
coupling) into alignment with the left side. The pivot points (points at
which the moveable side will be raised or lowered to bring it into
alignment with the stationary (reference) side, are simply the motor
bolts located (usually) at the four corners of the base (front and back
"feet").

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If we break down the alignment into (1) the vertical and horizontal
planes and (2) angular and radial dial readings, we can describe each
piece easier than trying to describe the whole process at once, and
then put the pieces together to convey a sound alignment process.

Model #30RA in place

Vertical Plane
Let's first define the vertical plane. If you could take a thin, flat, clear
surface, such as glass, and place this glass from the floor to the
ceiling, running directly through the center of the shaft in the picture
above, this would define the vertical plane with regard to our
application. Movement in the vertical plane simply has to do with
movement that is up and down.

Dial indicator readings for the vertical plane are those taken at 0
and 180. (The 0 reading will always be zero).

Horizontal Plane
Similarly, the horizontal plane would be defined as a thin piece of
glass placed through the center of the shaft and forming a sort of
"table".

Dial indicator readings for the horizontal plane are those taken at 90
and 270.

Radial and Angular Dial Readings

Starting at 0, you rotate the shafts together with the alignment
equipment mounted, and stop at 90, 180 and 270. As mentioned
above, the readings at 0 and 180 are related, as are the readings

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at 90 and 270. This will become apparent when we discuss the

mathematical calculations these readings are used in.

First Stop - 90
Our first stop is at 90. The radial (perpendicular) dial indicator will
register a positive, negative, or zero on its dial face. A positive
number indicates that the plunger of the dial is getting pushed in,
and thus the shaft is closer to us as we look at our equipment from
the side. A negative number would indicate the shaft is farther away
from us. A zero would indicate there is no change in the position from
0 (12 o'clock).

The angular (parallel) dial indicator will also have a positive, negative
or zero on its dial face. A positive number would indicate that the
target on which the dial plunger is resting has pushed in the plunger
the amount shown on the dial face. Analysis then shows that the
misaligned shaft is "cocked" in such a way that the back end of the
shaft is closer to us than the front end nearest the coupling.

After the Readings are Taken

Once we have all of the dial indicator readings (radial and angular
dial readings at 90, 180 and 270), lets look at how the math
calculations will look based on the descriptions given above.

Our goal is to "sum" the misalignment due to the radial misalignment

and the angular misalignment present. In the vertical plane, our
equations will look like this:

VN=(R180-R0)/2 + D(F180-F0/H)
VF=(R180-R0)/2 + E(F180-F0/H)
(N stands for near, F stands for far)

The first portion, [ (R180-R0)/2 ] is the misalignment measured

from the radial dial indictor (and is the same in both equations). The
actual number taken off of the dial indicator is twice the
misalignment, as explained by the following diagram:

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The second portion of the equation is the measurement of the

angular misalignment at front and back feet, given by D x (F180-
F0/H) and E x (F180-F0/H).

The last part of this segment given by F180-F0/H is the tangent of

the angle measured by the dial indicator (tangent =
opposite/hypotenuse). This number simply acts as a multiplier for
any distance we want to measure the misalignment at. For this
example we want to know the misalignment at distance "D" and "E",
the distances to our front and back fee. By adding "D" and "E" to the
equation, we now have the angular portion complete. Combining the
two readings, our equations are complete.

Cleaning Up
Our final step is to apply our equations to the horizontal plane. The
only difference is that our ending values will not be zero. We are
shifting our plane by 90, so our equations now look like this:

HN=(R270-R90)/2 + D(F270-F90/H)
HF=(R270-R90)/2 + E(F270-F90/H)
(N stands for near, F stands for far)

Instead of our ending values being taken from 180, they are now
taken from 270. Instead of our ending values being taken from 0
where they were zero, they are being taken from 90. The concept is
still the same, only shifted 90.

If any of this is confusing, please e-mail me and tell me how this

explanation could be made more understandable.

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Math Explanations

Figure 1

FIGURE 1: The stationary equipment will be to the left of the

coupling. This will generally be a pump or any similar assembly which
has outside connections attached to it, making it difficult or
impossible to move.

Figure 2

FIGURE 2: Radial offset is the amount of misalignment strictly from

a standpoint of a height dimension.

Figure 3

FIGURE 3: Angular offset is the amount of misalignment due to the

perceived angle the shaft to be aligned is in relation to the stationary

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shaft. When the shaft has angularity, the misalignment will depend
where the measurement is taken. Hence, shim requirements will be
different at the front feet compared to the back feet.

Figure 4

FIGURE 4: Front and back feet. The front feet are both motor bolts
nearest the coupling assembly. Conversely, the back feet are both
bolts farthest from the coupling assembly.

Figure 5

FIGURE 5: Vertical and horizontal plane notations.

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Figure 6

FIGURE 6: Rotation of the radial dial indicator and path for a

positive dial movement

Figure 7

FIGURE 7: We see how angularity is measured. A right triangle is

formed, of which we know two of the dimensions. (1) The dial
indicator reading is the base of the triangle (Adjacent) and is
measured in thousandths. (2) The hypotenuse of the triangle is the
"swing" of the dial indicator, defined as the diameter of the circle of
revolution (see Figure 8, below), and is measured in inches. Simply
put, these two numbers allow us to figure the misalignment per inch
traveled away from the plunger point of the angular dial indicator.

We now have all of the math we need to figure misalignment in both

the vertical and horizontal planes, as well as with respect to the
angular and radial directions.

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Figure 8

FIGURE 8: This picture shows the outline of the diameter of circle of

revolution, or the circle the angular indicator will scribe as it is
rotated about the shaft centerline.

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Alignment Outline
Overview
Your motivation to perform an "alignment" on your power
transmission equipment may fall into one of three general
categories: (1) A New Installation; (2) Re-alignment after
coupling/bearing replacement; (3) Preventive maintenance.

Your goal is to accurately bring equipment on one side of the

coupling (say the right side) into precise alignment with equipment
on the opposite side (the left side, or reference).

To visualize what you need to do, imagine holding two pencil erasers
(that are on the end of a new pencil) close together, but not touching
each other. The reference pencil will be in your left hand, and the
pencil you would like aligned with it is in your right hand. How can
you accurately measure where the right hand pencil is in relation to
the reference pencil on the left? That's where shaft alignment
equipment comes into the picture.

Preliminary Inspection

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If your equipment has been previously installed and is displaying

obvious warning signs that something is wrong, such as excessive
heat or vibration, or you've performed more than one replacement on
this particular equipment, misalignment is definitely a candidate as
the culprit. There could be more too it than that, however, and it's a
good idea to check for what's known as "Soft Foot". Soft foot is the
term commonly applied to that condition which exists when all four
(4) of the machine feet are not supporting the weight of the machine.
This condition is one of the major causes of frustration and lost
productivity.

First Step
Careful measurements and technique play a critical role when
preparing to do an alignment. Reference points and dial indicator
readings are all part of package.

Once you are ready to perform the alignment procedure, as many as

five (5) physical measurements must be taken from the equipment.
This includes the (1) SWING DIAMETER, the distance to the (2)
FRONT and (3) BACK feet of the moveable machine (to the right of
the coupling), and the distance to the (4) FRONT and (5) BACK
feet of the stationary machine (to the left of the coupling).

These measurements are generally done with a tape measure.

Although you should be as accurate as possible when measuring from
stated reference points, these initial physical measurements are not
as critical as the dial indicator readings themselves.

Second Step
Once the initial physical measurements are taken and the alignment
equipment is mounted and secured, you are then ready to "rotate"
the alignment equipment on the shaft and coupling assembly. By
doing this, you will obtain the three pairs of dial indicator numbers,
which then describe the position of the moveable side of the coupling
with respect to the stationary (or "reference") side.

Last Steps Involved

Once the physical dimensions and the dial indicator readings are
collected, the last step is to plug these numbers into the formulae
provided to determine the shims needed in the vertical direction, and
any adjustment from side-to-side in the horizontal direction.

Summary
It is rare that your equipment will be in precise alignment after
shimming for the first time. It may take at least two or three times to
bring your equipment into alignment within an accepted tolerance

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range.

With the right maintenance equipment and a positive mental attitude,

shaft alignment doesn't need to invoke the terror and agony once
associated with the process.

Back to Top of Page

link to Peterson alignment index page

Newman Tools Inc.

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Stittsville, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2S 1E7
Phone: 1-613-836- 6776 or 1-800-465-1384
Fax: 1-613 -836 -9070 or 1-800-605-2442

Newman Tools Inc.

151 New Park Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106, USA
Phone: 1-800-465-1384
Fax: 1-800-605-2442

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