We have the Ludeca laser alignment equipment at our facility. What I would like to do is give the managers a better understanding of how efficient our laser alignments are. Also, I would like to convey that there has been some improvement of laser alignments in the various areas in the mill. And... any other related information regarding laser alignments (tolerance specs met or not met, number of sweeps, who performed the alignments, who was the best performer, etc.)

Does anyone have a way of tracking this information? I know that the data can be uploaded through the Pruftechnik software, but I am looking for more of system, or area alignment summaries.

What I want is to have relevant information from laser alignments. Sure, we can check on individual pieces of equipment and their alignments, but what about an area? Novel thought!

I have built a Laser Alignment database outside of Pruftechnik, but it is tedious to have information inputted where it is worth the time. Maybe that's where I'm stuck.

Anything that would help will be appreciated!

Full documentation is always good. A single beam system and a checkbox for type of machine aligned - sleeve brgs, etc, w/axial float. And for a final record, I like a plot and basically demand a plot for permanent record of multiple machines especially with thermal growth. My alignment programs allow naming of the machine and storage plus operators and coupling type/condition. Also I have an engineering section for machine files to include engineering data, machine specs, photos, etc... So, all have a name to accompany the date work was performed. I perfer the term alignment over single beam laser alignment or dual beam laser alignment. And, don't forget the several methods for 'hot' alignment. I think Fixture Laser prints and/or off-loads readings, dial indicator (what ifs') and plots - or I could be wrong. I have a Ludeca system but normally use dial indicators as well as the laser. If I were only wanting to toot the Ludeca system to management probably Ludeca has a good pitch they'd give you.

This attachment (1.54MB) is my adaptation of a MS Access database (version 2000) for alignments. The reporting function is very generic to copy it into Excel for you to manipulate data there for charts, etc.

If someone wants to play with this and repost an update to it, you are more than welcome. The data has been manipulated to not reveal any real world data, or company.

Have fun!

Laser_Alignment_Database.mdb (1,580 Kb, 45 downloads) Laser Alignment Database.mdb

I'm not getting access to open it?

Sam:

Sorry I wasn't able to get back to you until today. I have been off on vacation for a week since my wife gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I could go on and on bragging...

Anyway, what error message comes up when you try to open the database?

Again, the information I am looking at gathering is data to summarize the number of alignments in a specific area of the plant. Say we have 5 main areas, I want to summarize how efficient our laser alignments are without having to go into the gory details of looking at each one. The attached database has the need to look at the data only once for input, then the data can be summarized in reports either externally or internally to MS Access. Again, if someone is a guru in Access, and can help develop the database, it is "open source" and feel free to update the file for the members here...

Why use the term 'laser' alignments? Are not all alignment worthy of tracking? If you are using a laser alignment method on a long spacer coupling type job, it may take much longer to do the job. Now if you are tracking time and comparing it, why not use a WO system that logs time to see how many manhours were allotted to each job.