What are the reference standards for aligning couplings in rotating equipment?
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Question: For rotating equipment equipped with couplings, alignment is required using a dial indicator – what are the reference standards? What is the maximum number of copper or stainless steel sheets that can be used? Thank you!
Get it aligned first, ignore that standard. With standards in place, what’s the use of not being able to find the right one?
Experience is the most important; alignment is handled in the same way, using about three layers of shims.
In principle, the fewer shims there are, the better – they should not exceed three layers. However, in practice, there are cases where more than three layers are used. This is because as the number of layers increases, errors between the shims arise, leading to inaccuracies in the readings taken with a gauge; these inaccuracies can be significant, giving an illusion that misleads one in trying to determine the true values. So try to minimize the number of shims; for example, if a thickness of 0.60 mm is required, use a shim with a thickness of 0.60 mm, or two shims of 0.30 mm each. Avoid using six shims of 0.10 mm or three shims of 0.20 mm each.
1. Different equipment manufacturers require different alignment data; it is recommended to follow the requirements specified in the accompanying documents! 2. The number of alignment shims allowed cannot exceed three.