I am not sure what quality of alignment products are, concerning price and performance/stability.

Price range are in one group but am not sure about performance, durability add quality. I am considering those companies with product in range of 3000-5000 Euros.

Damalini
Pruftechniks
SKF

Does anyone has experience using them and what do you think for basic shaft alignment tools from mentioned group?

Enrique,
I have been using a Damalini 450 for three years and have been satisfied with its performance. The attachment is a typical report that I archive in a spread sheet for record keeping. We chose the 450 because we do not need the added features such as surface detection, line bore, and the rest. Not a lot of training is required although training is recommended to better understand the principles alignment, soft foot correction, and thermal growth calculations. I’d give it an 8.5 out of 10 for ease of use and 10 of 10 for reliability of results. I have machines aligned three years ago that remain trouble free (as long as lubrication is maintained).
Fits right in your price range too!

The file is of a 3600 RPM , 60 HP motor coupled to a 1400 lb rotary mill by means of a Faulk flex steel coupling. The darkened coupling halves seen in the image means the machine is sufficiently aligned for a machine of that speed. The user can set various parameters like machine speed, units of measurement, ect....

3_fitz_mill_10-10-07.xls (28 Kb, 81 downloads) Damalini 450 report

You may want to check close home:
http://www.vtab.com in Sweden.

The SKF unit is manufactured by Fixture Laser I believe.

All the companies mentioned are proven reliable. Fixturlaser does private label for SKF and Vibralign. We offer Laser systems from Damalini, SKF, Vibralign, and LaserTools. Many systems are kitted for specific applications. Happy to discuss your application and needs offline.
http://www.reliabilitydirectstore.com/Machine-Alignment-s/20.htm

I recommend Pruftechnik from germany if u want a very accurate and reliable results. I've been using it for quite sometimes now and I'm very satisfied with it.

The Optalign Plus is at the high end of your range, but it's what I use and I can highly recommend it. The basic unit only does shaft alignment, but it uses a "sweep" mode which means you don't have to start and stop your measurements at clock positions. You start anywhere you want and turn the shaft through at least 90 degrees and you get a good reading.

Setup is very fast, brackets are solid, and the unit is very reliable. You have to designate one machine as "fixed" and the other as "moveable" but I have never found that to be a problem. It does not have fancy graphics. But that is one reason I like it so much: it puts the necessary information on the screen but not a lot of extra stuff you don't need. I prefer to plot my shaft centerlines on graph paper, based on the corrections the unit offers. I can instantly see what the best moves are (choosing from all feet, not just the "moveable" machine feet). I think this approach helps you to better understand what is physically going on with the machine.

The Ludeca or German stuff is single beam.
FixtureLaser is dual beam. Most have gone to dual beam or are dual beam. Kind of in a nutshell; dual beam operates like Indicator Reverse while single beam operates like Rim & Face. Both do a good job in the hands of a qualified tech. I have a Ludeca unit but generally perfer dial indicators for speed and accuracy but sometimes laser is better for a particualr application.

I too have used Optalign, Rotalign equipment. I had complete confidence in their ability and new there limitations. There was an issue with temperature ranges for the equipment. We occasionally had alignments outside and found cold temperatures affected the laser. Please be aware of your applications. I have since been unable to perform alignments but know the pruftecknic line of alignment equipment will work for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Sam Pickens:
The Ludeca or German stuff is single beam.
FixtureLaser is dual beam. Most have gone to dual beam or are dual beam. Kind of in a nutshell; dual beam operates like Indicator Reverse while single beam operates like Rim & Face. Both do a good job in the hands of a qualified tech. I have a Ludeca unit but generally perfer dial indicators for speed and accuracy but sometimes laser is better for a particualr application.

So Mr.Sam, which one do you think is the best? using a single laser beam or dual laser beam? why is it so? I plant to buy a laser alignment system but confused between pruftechnik and other products. So what is the different between act as an indicator reverse and rim & face? thanks a bunch

The quality of alignment lies in the hands of a skilled qualified tech or craftman. No system is going to magically bail you out. Read all OEM's specs first. Ludeca, Fixture Laser, Easy Laser & All. Know alignment; I have a book and many are available.

Many applications will dictate that dial indicators are the best method for a given application. Others will may perfer laser systems.

I'll site an example: A group (no names) that installs cooling towers around the world contacted me saying that most of their customers demand laser alignment. "It is so slow; do you have a faster and/or better method?" I suggested they use 'Long Spacer Coupling' method with dial indicators. I sent them my book and programs. A few months later I got a mail from AU stating that they like the dial indicator method of Long Spacer Coupling so much better that they can now do the alignment and then setup the laser on the machines and get the print-out quicker than they could do the job before with laser. They reported that the dial indicators put the machines within tolerance and there was not need to make further adjustments.

So, no one shoe fits all feet. Sometimes Indicator Reverse is better and sometimes the laser is the easiest way to go for a specific job.

"So what is the different between act as an indicator reverse and rim & face?"

Mr. Kuantan sir,

I would humbly submit that you need to really KNOW the difference between these two dial indicator methods of alignment before you try a laser, single beam or dual.

Dave

Thanks Dave -- that's really good and sound advise.

Hi Sam,

Is it possible to share your book?

Have a nice day!!

Please see the 'For Sale' items below. It is available. Basically $30 USD (337 pages w/software). See details in the for sale items.

Thanks for your interest.

quote:

"So what is the different between act as an indicator reverse and rim & face?"

I think what he means is, "what is the difference in a laser system" that acts as these two methods.

One of the problems with any "rim and face" method is sensitivity to axial float of the shafts when taking the "face" reading: you can't tolerate axial movement of the shafts when doing rim and face alignment.

To my knowledge, none of the laser systems on the market are affected by axial float of the shafts. So I am not sure what Sam means when says some systems work like rim and face.

From a practical standpoint, there is absolutely no difference in the "alignment" using any available methods (laser, indicator, rim and face, reverse indicator, etc.). Alignment is just math and geometry. Different methods simply do the math and geometry differently.

There's nothing inherently wrong in using a laser to do long-spacer shaft alignment (cooling towers, etc). If the "detector" was big enough to handle the large off-axis movement of the laser beam, the laser system would be as easy as any other method. But with the present systems, it's just not practical because the laser moves off the detector with small amount of shaft rotation.

That said, if you are going to do alignment, you MUST learn to use indicators because there are many instances where it is impossible to rotate both shafts.

quote:

you MUST learn to use indicators because there are many instances where it is impossible to rotate both shafts.

Not if you are using Rotalign with a magnetic bracket

D

"Sliding" a magnetic bracket is not my idea of precision alignment.... I could do as well with a straightedge and a taper gauge.

Get you some indicators and brackets so you can be a real alignment guru.

You haven't used one have you
Don't knock it if you haven't tried it.

D

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

Dave, wouldn't the accuracy of the readings be dependent on the condition of the surfaces the magnetic bracket is sliding on? Does the laser have to have a "pass" mode (like the Rotalign) for the sliding bracket to work?

Rotalign? You're not spending your money are you?

Rusty,

Yes, The accuracy is dependant on the condition of the coupling half. I tried it twice on machines that I could turn but that had just had their couplings replaced. It was zip zip. I was impressed. I haven't ran into any other machines that I couldn't turn, but if the couplings are in good shape for at least 45 deg., I wouldn't hesitate to use it.
We took the output coupling grid off one gearbox to a dryer and used regular method.
Yes, I was using the pass mode. I don't know how else you would do it. I cover up the receiver and move the mag bracket. Then uncover the receiver and pass the laser through it (turning the receiver). Worked well, took some time (or I was too fussy, one or the tuther).

I also used the multi point method and reset my zero each time on a car shredder with a 1" vertical offset in the U-joint shaft. We got it in spec horizontally but it took 6 hours to do it. The shredder had a bow in the shaft. It was all three of us could do to turn the thing, and then hold it when the laser went out of range and I had to move my zero. Lucky I only needed 40 or 50 points each turn.
Two other companies told the guy it couldn't be done. They had the regular 3,6,9 o'clock lasers, and didn't have the cardan u-joint brackets.
I told him I would try, and if I couldn't, he didn't owe me anything.

That job paid well. And it gave me another customer that calls once in a while.

Yes, it is a rotalign PRO.
God is good.

Dave

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