Coupling Alignment Fundamentals

Page (1 of 14)

CONTENTS

I. Why Align Rotating Equipment?

II. Defining Shaft Misalignment
III. Alignment Methods — Poor, Fair, Good and Best
IV. Pre-Alignment Considerations
V. Alignment Methods
A. Rim and Face Alignment
B. Reverse Dial Indicator/Laser Alignment
C. Across the Flex Element Alignment

I. Why Align Rotating Equipment?

When%two%pieces%of%rotating%equipment%are%connected%through%a%shaft%coupling,%every%effort%should%be%
made%to%minimize%coupling%and%shaft!misalignment.%Proper%alignment%will%reduce%bearing,%shaft%and%
coupling%failures,%bearing%and%coupling%temperature,%vibration,%and%energy%consumption.%In%addition,%
good%alignment%will%extend%equipment%life%between%planned%maintenance%intervals.%When%considering%
how%precise%the%alignment%needs%to%be,%consider%alignment%limitations%of%all%the%system%components,%
not%just%the%coupling.%A%flexible%coupling%is%no%excuse%for%excessive%misalignment.%

II. Defining Shaft Misalignment

For%two%shafts%to%be%called%“aligned,”%their%shaft%centerlines%need%to%coincide.%If%together%these%
centerlines%do%not%form!one%line,%then%either%parallel%misalignment%(Fig.%1)%And/or%angular%misalignment%
%Exists%(Fig.%2).%%%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

OFFSET

ANGLE

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Fig.%1%Parallel%misalignment% Fig.%2%Angular%misalignment%

In%addition,%as%misalignment%can%exist%in%many%directions,%it%is%conventional%to%describe%both%of%these%
misalignments%in%two%planes,%the%vertical%and%the%horizontal%to%define%the%complete%alignment%condition%
present.%%

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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Another%type%of%alignment%that%is%often%overlooked%is%the%axial%misalignment.%The%coupled%shafts%axial%
position%can%change%as%a%result%of%many%factors%such%as%thermal%growth,%connected%equipment%thrust%
forces,%pump%volute%gap%adjustments%and%sleeve%bearing%motor!end%float.%In%addition%to%this,%some%
couplings%may%generate%thrust%forces%as%a%result%of%applied%torque,%speed%and%misalignment.%Be%sure%the%
proper%type%of%coupling%for%the%application%is%used%and%that%you%are%within%its%published!axial%operating%
limits.%

III. Alignment Methods – Poor, Fair, Good and Best

Below%is%a%table%showing%the%relative%ranking%of%different%alignment%methods.%In%this%publication,%we%will%
cover%the%recommended%methods%3,%4%and%5.%

Method% Rating% Comment%

%
A%straight%edge%is%used%to%check%the%parallel%misalignment%and%a%
Straight%edge%
1% Poor% caliper%is%used%to%check%the%angular%misalignment.%Coupling%and%
and%caliper%
equipment%life%may%be%sacrificed%using%this%method.%%
Not$recommended.$%
Straight%edge%
with%feeler%
2% gauges%and% Fair% Same%as%above%method%with%improved%accuracy.%Not$recommended.$%
inside%
micrometer%
%
Dial%indicator%mounted%on%one%shaft%hub%reading%off%of%the%other%
determines%parallel%misalignment%by%measuring%on%hub%outer!rim%
3% Rim%and%face% Good%
and%angular%misalignment%by%measuring%on%hub%flange!face.%In%
situations%where%only%one%piece%of%equipment%can%be%rotated%this%is%
an%acceptable!option.%%Recommended$
%
Dial%indicator%is%mounted%on%one%hub/!shaft%and%measures%on%Rim%of%
other%hub/!shaft.%Dial%indicator%is%then%reversed%to%other%shaft!and%
Reverse%Dial%
steps%are%repeated.%Graphically,%these%measurements%give%you%the%
4% Indicator%or% Best%
extension%of%one%shaft%centerline%with%respect%to%the%other%shaft%
Laser%Alignment%%
centerline%and%give%you%the%alignment%corrections%graphically%needed%
to%bring%the%equipment%shafts%into%alignment.%Both%shafts%must%be%
rotated%together.%Recommended%
%
Across%the%Flex% Used%for%applications%where%an%indicator%bracket%or%laser%may%not%be%
5% Good%
element% practical%due%to%large%span%or%obstructions.%
Recommended$!
% %

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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IV. Pre-Alignment Considerations

Before%doing%the%equipment%alignment,%there%are%several%items%that%must%be%considered.%

SOFT%FOOT%
Soft%foot%occurs%when%a%piece%of%equipment,%such%as%a%motor,%is%not%sitting%flat%on%its%base%or%it%rocks.%%
The%rocking%can%be%eliminated%by%tightening%down%the%hold%down%bolts;%however,%this%puts%the%motor%
bearings%under%undue%strain%and%may%cause%an%increase%in%vibration.%A%soft%foot%condition%may%also%
result%in%erroneous%alignment%readings.%

Checking%and%correcting%Soft%Foot:%
With%all%of%the%hold%down%bolts%tightened,%place%a%dial%indicator%on%one%of%the%foot%pads%as%close%to%a%bolt%
head%as%possible,%loosen%the%bolt%and%read%the%deflection%as%shown%in%Fig.%3%[%a%measured%deflection%
greater%than%.002”%should%be%shimmed.%After%shimming,%tighten%the%bolt%and%move%onto%the%next%foot%
pad%and%repeat%the%procedure.%Alternatively,%many%laser%alignment%systems%have%a%soft%foot%mode%that%
can%be%used.%%

Fig.%3%
% Soft%Foot%Check%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% %

%
THERMAL%GROWTH%
Always%consider%if%your%equipment%will%move%in%any%direction%from%the%“cold”%condition%to%the%“hot”%
running%condition%when%it%reaches%operating%speed%and%temperature.%If%the%growth%is%significant,%you%
must%deliberately%misalign%your%equipment%in%the%cold%condition%so%that%alignment%is%achieved!when%it%is%
operating%and%up%to%temperature.%As%you%can%see%from%the%below%example%the%amount%of%vertical%growth%
can%be%significant:%

Thermal%growth%example:%
A%steam%turbine%with%an%operating%casing%temperature%of%450°%F%is%coupled%to%a%pump%that%operates%at%
an%ambient%temperature%of%80°%F.%The%distance%from%base%to%the%shaft%centerlines%is%20”.%If%both%pieces%of%
equipment%are%aligned%cold%(80°%F),%at%operating%temperature%the%turbine%will%rise%with%respect%to%the%
pump%.048”%[(.0000065in/in°%F)%x%(20%in)%x%(450°%F%[%80°%F)].%%

To%properly%align%this%equipment%vertically,%in%the%cold%condition%you%would%shim%the%pump%shaft%.048”%
high%with%respect%to%the%turbine%shaft.%

% %

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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INDICATOR%SAG%
If%using%a%dial%indicator%for%alignment,%you%need%to%determine%the%difference%in%the%dial%indicator%reading%
when%it%is%at%the%12:00%o’clock%position%on%top%compared%to%when%it%is%on%the%6:00%o’clock%position%on%the%
bottom.%The%difference%in%these%readings%is%a%result%of%gravity%deflecting%the%indicator%bracket%away%from%
the%shaft%it%is%reading%in%the%bottom%position.%It%is%not%necessary%to%eliminate%sag%but%rather%to%know%
what%it%is%and%adjust%for%it%in%your%final%alignment%readings.%
%%
Determining%Indicator%Sag:%
Indicator%sag%is%determined%by%rigidly%mounting%the%indicator%bracket%on%a%rigid%piece%of%pipe%with%the%
dial%indicator%stem%resting%on%top%in%the%12:00%o’clock%position!as%seen%in%Fig.%4.%In%this%position,%set%the%
indicator%at%“0”%(zero)%and%roll%the%pipe%until%the%indicator%is%at%the%bottom%6:00%o’clock%position%on%the%
pipe.%%In%the%example%shown%in%Fig.%5,%the%indicator%sag%was%measured%at%negative![.005%inch.%%

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Reading=[.005%
%
Fig.%4% %
Fig.%5%
Comments%Regarding%Indicator%Sag:%
1. The%indicator%sag%reading%will%always%be%a%negative%number.%
2. It%is%used%only%to%correct%the%vertical%top%to%bottom!readings%(for%the%horizontal%or%side[to[side%
readings%it%is%ignored%as%they%cancel).%
3. The%indicator%bracket%should%be%as%light%and%as%rigid%as%possible.%It%is%general%practice%to%try%and%
limit%the%amount%of%indictor%sag%to%not%greater%than!10%%of%your%largest%indicator%reading.%%
%

V. Alignment Methods
To%explain%the%3%recommended%alignment%methods%from%Section%III,%we%will%use%a%motor%connected%to%a%
pump%as%our%example.%Regardless%of%the%method%used%you%must%correct%the%alignment%in%the%vertical%and%
the%horizontal%plane.%%%
! First,%correct%the%vertical%misalignment%by%shimming%under%the%equipment%feet.%
! Second,%correct%the%horizontal%misalignment%by%moving%the%equipment%side%to%side.%
% %

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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A. Rim and Face Alignment

!
Step%1:% Refer%to%section%IV%for%Pre[Alignment%considerations%
%
Step%2:% Determine%which%piece%of%equipment%is%“fixed”%and%which%piece%of%equipment%is%“moveable”.%In%
general,%you%will%only%be%moving%one%piece%of%equipment%and%it%is%typically,%but%not%limited%to,%the%drive%
motor.%%
%
Step%3:%Equipment%layout%
%On%a%piece%of%graph%paper,%lay%out%the%piece%of%equipment%being%aligned%as%seen%in%Fig.%6.%The%distances%
that%you%will%need%to%measure%and%plot%are:%
1. Distance%from%where%the%indicator%rides%radially%on%the%pump%hub,%to%the%center%of%the%motor%
front%feet.%%In%this%example,%this%is%15”.%
2. Diameter%of%the%pump%hub%flange,%at%the%location%the%face%indicator%rides.%In%the%example%this%is%
10”%(shown%in%the%graph%plot).%
3. Distance%from%the%center%of%the%motor%front%feet%to%the%center%of%the%motor%back%feet.%%In%this%
example%this%is%25”.%

MOTOR

PUMP

15! 25!

FRONT BACK
FOOT FOOT
10!
PUMP MOTOR

15! 25!
DISTANCE TO FRONT FOOT DISTANCE BETWEEN
OF MOTOR MOTOR FEET

%
% Fig.%6%

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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The$horizontal$scale$on$the$graph$used$here$is$one$small$division$equals$one$inch.$$$

Step%4:%Mount%bracket%and%sweep%readings%(Vertical%solution)%
With%the%indicator%bracket%attached%to%the%motor%and%the%indicator%reading%off%the%pump%hub%face,%
rotate%the%shaft%in%90°%increments%and%take%readings%as%shown%in%Fig.%7.%Make$sure$that$both$shafts$being$
aligned$are$axially$restrained,$as$any$endplay$will$distort$the$face$readings!$
%
TOP
0
PUMP MOTOR
NEAR FACE FAR
+ .001 + .004

BOTTOM
+ .005

PUMP MOTOR

.005
.005!
A

10!
B

ANGULAR SOLUTION

%
Fig.%7%
%
Step%5:%%Interpret%Face%reading%(Vertical%Solution):%
Reading%on%the%face%at%a%10[inch%diameter%you%measure%+.005%at%the%bottom,%which%means%the%indicator%
stem%was%compressed%.005%inches%for%every%10%inches%of%length.%This%can%only%happen%when%the%motor%
shaft%centerline%extension%is%low%with%respect%to%the%pump%shaft%centerline%extension.%
%
Step%6:%Plot%face%reading%(Vertical%solution)%
Extend%the%10[inch%face[measuring%diameter%along%the%dashed%pump%centerline.%Using%a%vertical%scale%of%
one%small%square%equals%.001%inch,%plot%the%.005%inches%below%the%pump%centerline.%As%seen%in%Fig.%7,%the%
line%drawn%between%the%pump%flange%center%and%through%the%plotted%point,%extended%past%the%plane%of%
the%motor%feet.%This%line%represents%the%angular$only%orientation%of%the%motor%shaft%centerline%with%
respect%to%the%pump%shaft%centerline.%
%
Step%7:%Shim%to%Correct%Angular%Misalignment%(Vertical%solution)%
At%the%location%on%figure%7%of%the%front%motor%feet%(A)%and%the%back%motor%feet%(B)%count%the%number%of%
squares%below%the%shaft%centerline%to%the%motor%shaft%centerline%extension.%To%bring%the%motor%shaft%
into%angular%alignment%in%the%vertical%plane%you%would%shim%the%front%motor%feet%.0075%inch%and%shim%
the%back%feet%.0020%inch.%

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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Step%8:%Move%indicator%from%face%to%rim%position%%%
With%the%motor%bracket%still%attached%to%the%motor%hub,%set%the%indicator%stem!on%the%outside%rim%of%the%
pump%hub.%%%
%
Step%9:%%Sweep%rim%readings%
Zero%the%dial%indicator%on%top,%rotate%it%in%90[degree%increments%and%take%readings%as%shown%in%Fig.%8.%
%

TOP
0
PUMP MOTOR
NEAR RIM FAR
+ .001 + .016

BOTTOM (CORRECTED)
+ .010 + .015

VERTICAL SOLUTION

.007
.0075! C = .000!
.000
.000!
PUMP MOTOR

TOTAL SOLUTION
D = .0125!
.0125

ANGULAR SOLUTION

%
% Fig.%8%
%
Step%10:%Correct%bottom%rim%reading%(Vertical%solution)%%
The%bottom%dial%indicator%reading%measured%+.010%inches,%but%this%reading%must%be%corrected%for%the%
indicator%sag%discussed%in%section%IV.%%To%correct%the%reading%you%subtract%the%indicator%sag%reading%([
.005)%from%the%bottom%dial%indicator%reading%(+.010)%to%give%you%an%actual%reading%of%+.015%%%[(.010%–%([
.005)%=%+.015%].%%%%
%
Step%11:%Plot%rim%reading%(Vertical%solution)%
As%this%is%a%T.I.R.%(Total%Indicator%Reading)%it%is%two%times%the%actual%shaft%to%shaft%relation.%%+.015%÷%2%=%
+.0075.%%.0075%is%where%the%motor%shaft%centerline%extension%is%relative%to%the%pump%shaft%centerline%at%
the%pump%hub.%With%the%pump%established%as%the%fixed%piece%of%equipment,%a%corrected%plus%reading%at%
the%bottom%means%the%dial%indicator%stem!was%compressed%which%can%only%occur%if%the%motor%shaft%
centerline%is%high%with%respect%to%the%pump%shaft%centerline.%Using%a%scale%of%one%small%division%on%the%
graph%equal%to%.001%inches,%plot%this%point%as%shown%in%Fig.%8.%The%parallel%offset%or%rim%misalignment%
alone%could%be%corrected%by%removing%.0075%inches%of%shims%from%under%both%the%front%and%back%motor%
feet.%

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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%
ALTERNATIVE%
By%drawing%a%line%parallel%to%the%angular%(face)%solution%and%thru%the%parallel%offset%point%the%total%
solution%can%be%read%off%the%graph%at%“C”%and%“D”.%In%this%example%C=0%and%D=.0125%inch.%%The%complete%
vertical%alignment%solution%(angular%and%parallel)%is%to%add%.00125[inch%shims%to%the%back%motor%feet.%In%
this%way,%you%shim%the%equipment%only%once%for%the%full%vertical%solution.%Vertically%the%equipment%is%
now%aligned;%let’s%move%to%the%horizontal%solution.%
%
Step%12:%%Angular%or%Face%Solution%(Horizontal):%
For%the%horizontal%(side[to[side)%results,%the%same%procedure%is%used.%%Zero%one%of%the%side%readings%by%
subtracting%this%reading%from%the%“near”%and%“far”%measurements.%Indicator%sag%can%be%ignored%as%it%
cancels%out.%%Plot%these%readings%and%the%results%can%be%read%off%of%the%graph%as%shown%in%Fig.%9.%
%
TOP TOP
0 0

NEAR FACE FAR NEAR RIM FAR

+ .001 + .004 + .001 + .016

BOTTOM BOTTOM (CORRECTED)

+ .005 + .010 + .015

HORIZONTAL SOLUTION

(FAR) ANGULAR SOLUTION

PUMP .003!
.00 MOTOR
.004!
.00 .0035!
.0035!
.0035
.0085!
.008
TOTAL SOLUTION

(NEAR)
%
Fig.%9%
!!
! !

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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B. Reverse Dial Indication/ Laser Alignment

!
In%principle,%Reverse%Dial%Indication%(RDI)%and%Laser%Alignment%are%identical%alignment%methods%each%
capable%of%similar%accuracy.%%Below%we%will%cover%Reverse%Dial%Indication%method%in%detail%as%it%explains%
all%the%concepts%of%these%two%methods%in%a%more%understandable%graphical%sense.%If%you%understand%RDI%
alignment,%Laser%Alignment%method%is%easy%to%understand.%%%
%

Reverse Dial Indication Alignment

Step%1:% Refer%to%section%IV%for%Pre[Alignment%considerations%
%
Step%2:% Determine%which%piece%of%equipment%is%“fixed”%and%which%piece%of%equipment%is%“moveable”.%In%
general,%you%will%only%be%moving%one%piece%of%equipment%and%it%is%typically,%but%not%limited%to,%the%drive%
motor.%%

Step%3:%Equipment%layout%
On%a%piece%of%graph%paper,%lay%out%the%piece%of%equipment%being%aligned%as%shown%in%Fig.%10.%%The%
distances%needed%are:%

1. Distance%from%where%the%first%indicator%rides%on%the%pump%hub%to%where%the%second%indicator%
rides%on%the%motor%hub.%In%the%example%shown%below,%this%is%10[1/2%inches.%%
%
2. Distance%from%where%the%second%indicator%rides%on%the%motor%hub%to%the%center%of%the%front%
motor%feet.%In%the%example%shown%below,%this%is%2[1/2%inches.%
%
3. Distance%from%the%center%of%the%motor%front%feet%to%the%center%of%the%motor%back%feet.%%In%the%
example%shown%below,%this%is%5[1/4%inches.%
%

%%
%
Fig.%10%

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Step%4:%Sweep%pump%hub%readings%%
With%the%indicator%bracket%attached%to%the%motor%hub%reading%off%the%rim%of%the%pump%hub,%zero%the%
indicator%on%the%top%and%rotate%shafts%together%in%90°%increments%and%take%readings.%%%

Step%5:%Correct%bottom%pump%hub%reading%(Vertical%solution)%%
The%bottom%reading%must%be%corrected%for%indicator%sag,%which%from%section%IV%we%determined%this%to%be%
negative%%[.005%inch.%To%correct%the!bottom%reading%you%subtract%the%indicator%sag%from%the%bottom%
indicator%reading.%The%bottom%indicator%reading%was%[.025%[%([.005)%give%us%the%corrected%reading%of%[.020%
as%shown%in%Fig.%11.%

Pump% Motor%

%
(Corrected)% %
%
Fig.%11%
% From%Motor%to%Pump%

Step%6:%%Plot%the%first%point%(vertical%solution)%
The%[.020%value%is%a%TIR%(Total%Indicator%Reading)%and%is%two%times%the%actual%shaft%to%shaft%distance%%(%[
.020%÷%2%=%[.010%).%Negative%[.010%is%the%distance%between%the%motor%shaft%extension%centerline%and%the%
pump%shaft%centerline%in%the%plane%of%the%pump%hub.%A%negative%sign%indicates%the%dial%indicator%stem%
extended%at%the%bottom.%With%the%pump%being%fixed,%the%only%way%this%can%occur%is%if%the%motor%shaft%is%
low%with%respect%to%the%pump%shaft.%%On%your%graph%paper%using%a%scale%of%small%division%equal%to%.001,%
plot%this%point%as%shown%in%Fig.%12.%

%
Fig.%12%
%

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
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Step%7:%Reverse%the%indicator%to%read%the%motor%hub%and%sweep%readings%
Now%reverse%the%indicator%setup%so%the%bracket%is%attached%to%the%pump%hub%and%is%reading%off%the%rim%of%
the%motor%hub.!As%before,%zero%the%indicator%on%the%top%and%rotate%shafts%together%in%90°%increments%and%
take%readings.%%%

Step%8:%Correct%bottom%pump%hub%reading%(Vertical%solution)%%
The%bottom%reading%must%again%be%corrected%for%indicator%sag.%Subtract%the%negative%[.005%indicator%sag%
from%the%bottom%indicator%reading%of%+.005%gives%you%a%corrected%bottom%reading%of%+.010.%%[%+.005%[%([
.005)%=%+.010%]%as%shown%in%Fig.%13.%

%
Fig.%13%
% From%Pump%to%Motor%

Step%9:%%Plot%the%second%point%(vertical%solution)%
The%+.010%value%is%a%TIR%number%that%we%divide%by%2%to%give%us%+.005,%which%is%the%distance%between%the%
motor%shaft%extension%centerline%and%the%pump%shaft%centerline%in%the%plane%of%the%motor%hub.%

A%positive%sign%indicates%the%dial%indicator%stem%was%compressed%at%the%bottom.%With%the%pump%being%
fixed,%the%only%way%this%can%occur%is%if%the%motor%shaft%is%low%with%respect%to%the%pump%shaft.%Plot%this%
point%as%shown%in%Fig.%14.%
%

Fig.%14% %

Step%10:%%Determine%vertical%shimming%required%at%front%and%back%motor%feet%
With%the%pump%shaft%fixed,%these%two%points%represent%the%location%of%the%motor%shaft%with%respect%to%
the%pump%shaft.%Draw%a%line%thru%these%two%points%extending%past%the%plane%of%the%front%and%back%motor%

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Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
Page (12 of 14)

feet%as%seen%in%Fig.%15.%The%vertical%shim%adjustments%required%to%bring%the%two%shafts%into%alignment%can%
be%read%directly%from%the%graph.%In%this%example,%.004%should%be%added%to%the%front%motor%feet%and%.001%
should%be%added%to%the%back%motor%feet.%

%
Fig.%15%
%

Step%11:%%Horizontal%(side%to%side)%solution%
Use%the%same%procedure%used%for%the%vertical%solution%only%you%do%not%need%to%correct%for%sag%as%the%side%
readings%cancel.%In%the%vertical%solution%you%zeroed%the%top%and%read%the%bottom.%For%the%horizontal,%you%
can%zero%the%“near”%and%read%the%“far”%or%vice%versa.%To%zero%a%reading,%simply%subtract%that%reading%from%
both%side%readings.%

In%our%example,%the%side%readings%from%the%motor%to%the%pump%in%Fig.%11%were%negative%[.005%(“near”%or%
9:00%o’clock)%and%negative%[.015%(“far”%or%3:00%o’clock).%If%you%choose%to%zero%the%near%and%plot%the%far%
readings,%subtract%negative%[.005%from%both%sides%and%your%“near”%reading%is%now%zero%and%your%“far”%
reading%becomes%[%.010%%[[015%[%([.005)%=%[.010.]%%

C. Across the Flex Element Alignment

When%the%distance%between%coupling%flex%elements%is%long,%making%use%of%indicator%brackets%impractical%
or%where%lasers%cannot%be%targeted%due%to%obstructions%or%beam%interference,%Across%the%Flex%Element%
Alignment%method%can%be%used.%%%

% %

Rexnord, 5555 S. Moorland Rd., New Berlin, WI 53151-7953 538-214

Telephone: 262-796-4060 Fax: 262-796-4064 February 2014
www.rexnord.com
Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
Page (13 of 14)

In%this%method,%angular%and%axial%misalignment%will%be%checked%as%described%below%respectively:!

Angular alignment

Step%1:%Squarely%and%firmly%attach%a%dial%indicator%to%the%center%member%shaft%and%read%across%the%flex%
element%to%the%driver%hub%surface%facing%away%from%the%indicator%mounting%as%seen%in%Fig.%16.%
%

%% % %

% Fig.%16%

Step%2:%With%the%dial%indicator%set%to%zero,%rotate%the%shaft%one%revolution%and%record%the%maximum%and%
minimum%dial%indicator%readings.%

Step%3:%If%the%range%between%the%maximum%and%minimum%reading%is%at%or%below%.010%inch,%the%angular%
alignment%is%acceptable.%If%the%range%is%greater%than%.010%inch,%the%equipment%should%be%realigned.%

Step%4:%Repeat%steps%1[4%on%the%driven%side%flex%element.%

%
Axial Alignment
%
To%establish%the%axial%misalignment,%you%will%measure%the%gap%between%the%spacer%flange%and%connected%
equipment%hubs,%on%both%flex%points%of%the%coupling,%and%compare%with%published%coupling%limits.%%

Step%1:%Without%rotating%the%coupling,%take%four%gap%readings%at%3:00,%6:00,%9:00%and%12:00%o’clock%
between%the%driver%and%center%member%flanges%as%seen%in%Fig.%17.%
%
%
%
%

Rexnord, 5555 S. Moorland Rd., New Berlin, WI 53151-7953 538-214

Telephone: 262-796-4060 Fax: 262-796-4064 February 2014
www.rexnord.com
Coupling Alignment Fundamentals
Page (14 of 14)

%
%

%
% Fig.%17%

Step%2:%Average%these%four%readings.%

Step%3:%Consult%the%coupling%installation%instructions%for%the%coupling%size%and%style%being%installed%to%be%
sure%the%average%reading%are%within%acceptable%axial%installation%limits.%If%the%coupling%being%aligned%is%an%
Addax®%coupling,%the%nominal%gap%for%all%sizes%is%.540%inches%and%should%be%between%.530%and%.550%
inches.%

Step%4:%%Repeat%steps%1[3%on%the%driven%side%flex%element.%

Rexnord, 5555 S. Moorland Rd., New Berlin, WI 53151-7953 538-214

Telephone: 262-796-4060 Fax: 262-796-4064 February 2014
www.rexnord.com