While I'm on the subject of blowers, I wanted to ask how many of you out there use this formula, and have you had good results with it? I've use it for about three years or so now.

Got this info from the Hoffman reps back in 2003. Whats your take on this?

Thanks

I forgot to ask about where you take your temp measurements from, lower down just above the feet, or up near the blower flanges below about a foot or so, or does it matter?

I checked both and there seems to be about a 20-30 degree difference in the temps, which would change the shim value a bit. Not sure what the book says on this if anything.

Thanks,

Please ensure you have the correct coupling type - this is critical especially on 3,600 RPM machines.

With a Thomas coupling you'll want alignment within 1 mil parallel and within a 15 second angle (distance spanned X 0.00015 or tan of angle). Use these as specs for final alignment as a rule on these machines at 3600 RPM and a Thomas coupling.

6.3 X 10E-6 is a little more accurate for steel.

Generally 'hot' specs are given for Hoffman by the OEM and I've seen numbers stamped-in on the feet. A better way especially for a given environment is to do a "Hot Alignment". The Acculign alignment system is excellent for this application but not the only method. And, this is recommended over the temperature estimation by measurements along the foot as you described.
The hot system is affordable or you can get an outside guy who specializes in alignment to do one for you. If all the others are in the same environment they should act accordingly.

However, initial setup should be based on thermal estimations and not just a 2 mil offset and start from there as your procedure indicated above. This makes the machine/coupling operate in a 'more than necessary' out-of-tolerance situation longer than necessary.