At our plant we have alwyas used Permalign for thermal growth measurements. I haven't been directly involved, but from a distance, it seems to me that there are hassles involved in mounting those large prisms sensors, getting a machine availabilities to mount and remove the sensors, waiting until the equipment is done collecting on one machine so that the equipment can be used on another machine, and interpretting the data seems kind of complex.

Someone told me about Acculign. Seems to be a lot easier. The "targets" (or whatever you call them) are very cheap and smaller (easier to mount) and you can mount them once on each machine and simply leave them there. Then you are ready to measure that machine whenver you want. Perhaps if vib jumps up you can go out and double-check position. Additionally, the guy who was telling me about it mentioned that it gives more of an absolute measurement for each machine monitoring point (the outboard and inboard end of each machine) rather than a relative measurement between the two machines, making it easier to visualize the machine movement. Also, it was suggested that it is easier to use/interpret... could be an advantage when we have a lot of different people that might be involved.

The advantage of Permalign I guess is it continuously monitors position while installed. Perhaps in some cases there might be an unusual jump at a certain period of time that would catch your attention and prompt investigation as to what changed at that time (although I haven't heard of that happening). In contraxt, the Acculign gives you a snapshot of position whenever you measure it.

Any thoughts on comparing the benefits of these two products?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: electricpete,

I think you just did and a good job at that and justifying Acculign; plus, the guy you talked to stired you right.

The Acculign is great and can be handled by Millwrights and simply plotted or Jack also had the software to make all the calculations. Outside machinery can even be check with seasonal changes quickly and easily. It is also good for monitoring the pipling and axial positions, skids, bases, etc...

E-pete,

I find "Acculign" (which I mentioned previously in this forum) and found these results:

http://maintenanceforums.com/eve/forums?a=search&reqWor...rum_scope=3751089011

E-pete

I find using "Acculign" in this forum (which I mentioned previously but not much response) and found these results:

http://maintenanceforums.com/eve/forums?a=search&reqWor...rum_scope=3751089011