News | September 8, 2000

Introducing the Fixturlaser Shaft 100

Source: VibrAlign, Inc.
Introducing the Fixturlaser Shaft 100, the first laser based measuring instrument with touch-screen technology offers simple shaft alignment

September 8, 1996 - Richmond, VA – VibrAlign, Inc., exclusive distributor in the United States of Fixturlaser alignment systems, has introduced the Fixturlaser Shaft 100. Rotating machines can now be quickly and simply aligned with the help of a new laser-based measuring instrument, the Fixturlaser Shaft 100. The equipment is the first to have a user-friendly touch-screen that displays both easier operating instructions and simpler measurement readings than previous instruments. This means that equipment can be used by maintenance personnel without special training.

"Laser-based measuring instruments not only provide faster measurements and align-ments, but also more accurate ones," says Johan HaIling, the president of Fixturlaser AB in Gothenburg. "The Fixturlaser Shaft 100 is the first laser instrument to have a logical touch-screen with simple, graphical symbols. The intuitive user interface means the equipment is easy to learn without almost any training, so that it can be used by any maintenance employee."

Shaft alignment using the new laser instrument is carried out using the same principles as the reversed dial indicator method that employs two dial-test indicators. The instru-ment's visual display unit shows parallel and angle errors, and the necessary correction values both graphically and digitally. All measured values are stored for subsequent transfer to a PC for processing or storage. Readings are shown with a resolution of 0.01 mm. The actual measurement distance can be up to 20 meters.

Important maintenance

The alignment of shafts is an important part of maintenance work in most industries. The purpose is to prevent bearing wear, vibrations, noise and excessive energy con-sumption. By aligning the shafts of an electric motor that runs a pump, for example, it will not only use less electricity, but there is less likelihood of a bearing breakdown causing a shutdown of production.

Some of the types of machines that the measurement equipment can be used on are motors, pumps, transmissions, turbines, fans, propeller and shafts. Typical application areas are found in the pulp and paper industry, the process and petroleum industries, the power and heat-generating industries, the steel and shipbuilding industries, and the graphics sector.