The correct sequence for alignment involves a specific set of steps crucial for accurate machinery setup.
Alignment Sequence Explained
The process for proper alignment is designed to ensure the safety of personnel and the longevity and efficiency of machinery. Here's a breakdown of the steps, as provided in the reference:
Step 1: Safety and Preparation
- Safety First: Before beginning any alignment work, it is crucial to prioritize safety.
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO): Implement LOTO procedures to disable equipment and prevent accidental startup, which helps to protect those working with and around the machinery. This is a critical safety measure and should never be overlooked.
- Clean Up: Thoroughly clean the area around the machinery. Removing debris, dirt, or other obstructions improves both the safety and precision of alignment process.
Step 2: Rough Alignment
- Initial Positioning: Perform a rough alignment of the machinery components. This step aims to get the machinery into an approximate position, making the precision work in later steps easier.
- Pre-alignment Checks: This step helps make fine-tuning easier.
Step 3: Soft Foot Diagnosis and Correction
- Identifying Soft Foot: Soft foot occurs when one or more of a machine's feet do not make good contact with the mounting surface. It can cause instability and poor alignment results.
- Diagnosis: Soft foot is typically diagnosed by using feeler gauges or dial indicators to measure the gap between the machine feet and the base.
- Elimination: Shims are used under the feet to remove soft foot. The objective is to create a solid and level base for alignment. Soft foot can have a big impact on machine running reliability if ignored.
- Impact: Correcting soft foot reduces stress on machinery components and improves alignment accuracy.
In Summary: The correct sequence is a methodical and crucial process that ensures accurate and safe machinery alignment, starting with safety measures and cleanup, roughing in alignment, and then addressing the importance of detecting and eliminating soft foot issues to complete the alignment process.
