LESSON

4
LECTURE

REVERSE DIAL INDICATOR

ALIGNMENT METHOD
SUB-OBJECTIVE

At the end of this lesson the trainee will be able to performed coupling alignment by
the dial indicator reverse method.

1.0

INTRODUCTION
The dial indicator reverse method of shaft alignment is the most accurate
procedure. By using conventional tools and instrument, achieve a great
amount of accuracy in minimum time. In this method two dial indicator are
fixed on the both couplings rims, just exactly reverse to each other, and all
reading taken on the two coupling rims. As mention in Fig. 4-1.
Since the face reading does not involve in this procedure, the thrust and
axial float does not affect the reading obtained and that is the major
advantage of this procedure.

2.0

WHERE THIS PROCEDURE APPLIED

Since this procedure of alignment have many advantages and use of this
procedure a is limited only by the characteristics of the unit itself. Here are
some advantages and use limits. Considered these as a general.

Fig. 4-1. Reverse Indicator Method.

1.
1.

This method is preferred when the distance between the adjacent shaft
ends greater than one half the coupling diameter.
It is preferred especially for large equipment operating at high speed.

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1.

This method is also preferred when coupling run-out cannot be eliminate.

1.

When one or both shafts have end float or have axial movement of the
shaft.

1.
1.

3.0

also preferred, when gear type couplings are used.

More over this procedure can be used for all kind of equipment due to its
accuracy in a very short time.

DETAILED STEPS OF PROCEDURE

Any procedure that is effective has a definite outline. It was proven in the
Two Indicator Method and will be proven in this procedure. Since both are
procedures to achieve alignment of two rotating shafts, each has steps that
are common to each other. The discussion of the steps in the previous
procedure are applicable to this procedure.

3.1

LOCK OUT

3.2

CLEAN FEET & PADS

3.3

DETERMINE INDICATOR SAG & RECORD

If using two brackets, check the sag for both brackets list the sag for the
driver to driver bracket.

3.4

PROVIDE FOR COUPLING GAP

3.5

ROUGH ALIGN

3.6

ELIMINATE SOFT FOOT

3.7

COMPLETE RECORD SHEET WITH INFORMATION & DIMENSION

1)

Measured the distance from the bracket to the post and record as
mention in Fig. 4-2.

2)

Measure the distance from the center of the bracket to center of the in
board feet and record it.

3)

Measure the distance from the center of the bracket to center of the out
board feet and record it

3.8

TAKE A ROUGH ALIGNMENT BY STRAIGHT EDGE AND MINIMIZE THE

SIDE TO SIDE DIFFERENCE UP TO THE POSSIBLE LIMITS

3.9

TAKE READINGS
1)

First of all dial indicators are attached to each half coupling

hub using brackets - see Figure 4 -2. The indicator on the
stationary machine hub (usually the driven machine) is set to
zero at point 1. The indicator on the moveable machine hub

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LESSON 4 PAGE 2

(usually the driver) is set to zero at point 2. Points 1 and 2

must be 180 apart.
2)

Both shafts are turned together clockwise 90 and indicator

readings are recorded. This process is repeated until four
sets of readings on each hub are recorded. The readings are
checked for consistency, and another entire set of readings is
taken. If readings are not repeatable, the problem must be
found and eliminated in the machinery, the tools, or the
method.

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Equipment I.D. : __________________

Date______________________

Type of Unit :

Date of Last Alignment______

__________________

Running Sped : ___________________

KW:______________________

Coupling : Manufacturer ___________

Type: _____________________

Coupling Manufacturers tolerances : Angular ________Parallel _________

Notes:_______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Coupling Bracket I.D.: ______________

Bracket Deflection: __________

Movable Machine: _________________

Stationary Machine: _________

Fig. 4-2. Alignment Record Sheet.

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MACHINE ALIGNMENT

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Fig. 4 -2. Position of Brackets Viewer.

3.10

CORRECT FOR SAG

From previous discussions we know that indicator bracket sag only directly
affects the bottom OD reading. We also know that it is a negative value. To
correct for sag we simply subtract it, algebraically, from the bottom OD
reading. Each bracket has a different value for sag and each must be
handled independently.

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4.0

USING ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR CALCULATING SHIMS

(FOLLOW THE FIG. 4 -4)

Fig. 4 -4. Sample diagram of reading and shaft positions.

4.1

VERTICAL MOVEMENT

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BA is the bottom reading at coupling A

BB is the bottom reading at coupling B
D1 is the distance between couplings
D2 is the distance between coupling A and front support feet of
movable machine..
D3 is the distance between coupling A and back support feet of
moveable machine
Now:-

4.2

i.

The shim correction required at front support feet.

ii.

The shim correction require at back support feet.

HORIZONTAL MOVEMENT
Normally for the horizontal alignment, no need of calculation but if machine
is large and have jack bolts then this calculation is helpful for accurate
horizontal movement. For horizontal movement dial set ZERO at left side
and take the reading on the right side of the coupling.
*
*

RA is the right side reading on coupling A

RB is the right side reading on coupling B

iii.

Movement required at front support feet.

iv.

Movement required at back support feet

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MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE
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Example: Fig. 4 -5.

Fig. 4 -5.
VERTICAL MOVEMENT
Shim correction required at front support feet.

BA = -10 BB = + 20
D3 = 24

D1 = 8

D2 = 12)

Add 12.5 Thou shims at front support feet.

Shim correction required at back support feet.

Add 20 thou. Shims at back support feet.

Movement required at front support feet =
RA = R - L = -15 - (+5) = - 20
RB = R - L = 6 - 14 = -8

= -21 + 10 = -11
Move 11 thou. Towards right.
Movement required at back support feet =

= -32
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Move 32 thou. Towards right.

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5.0

USING GRAPHICAL ALIGNMENT METHOD FOLLOW FIG. 4 -6

PLOT DISPLACEMENT
A typical problem worked on graph paper would go as follows:
1)

First, the size of the machine on the paper must be determined. Assume
the length of the machine is 24 inch, from coupling A to the outboard (far)
feet of machine B. You dont need to consider the length of Machine A,
only its coupling.

2)

Using graph paper as shown in Fig. 4 -6 that has ten large square across
eight squares can be used, by calling each one three inches. The machine
will nearly fill the page across the top.

3)

For vertical lines are need at their correct distance to represent coupling
A, - the point at which the indicator button touches coupling A, coupling
B Point at which the indicator button touches coupling B, the inboard
feet and outboard feet of Machine B. Take the center lines of near foot
and far foot bolts.

4)

It is good practice to draw them as they are seen as shown in Fig. 4 -7

while working on the machine. In all cases machine A is fixed in position,
while B is the one that will be moved to make corrections in alignment.

5)

Make two circles for the readings. A coin, 5 Halala can be used for this.
Write the dial indicator reading on the circles.
LEFT and RIGHT on the circles are found by looking from Machine A
toward Machine B.

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MACHINE ALIGNMENT

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Fig. 4 -6. Graph paper.

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Fig. 4 -7. Drawing of actual look.

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6)

Mark a horizontal line and identify it as Machine A S center line by

marking a small line at the coupling line. Both indicator readings will be
marked in relation to this line. Give each square a value of 0.010 (Each
square vertically means 0.010)

7)

Taking the readings from the circles, the dial indicator at coupling B is
lower than the center of line of Machine A (Remember B PLUS
BELOW)

8)

Divide the reading by 2 and make a mark below the line, nearly six
squares down.

9)

The dial indicator at coupling A showed + 0.122 at the bottom. The line
for shaft B is higher at coupling A (Remember A PLUS ABOVE).
Again divide the reading by two, and put a mark, 0.061, or slightly more
than six squares above the line.

10)

Use a straight edge and draw a line to connect two marks, and extend the
line over to the vertical lines for the feel. This represents the center line of
machine B.

11)

At the inboard foot, count off vertical squares and find that you will need
about 0.120 of shims. Write 0.120 on the chart at that point.

12)

At the outboard foot, count off squares and find that you will need about
0.301 of shims. Write 0.301 on the chart at the place.

The mounting bolts of machine B can now be loosened and the shims put
in place. The alignment should now be much closer to perfection than
before. It will not be completely true as there will be some error in
extending bolts before taking the next reading.
The same vertical lines on the paper can be used for the next set of
readings. The alignment should now be closer enough so that, if you want,
you can increase your vertical scale.
Again the readings are written about the horizontal line that represents
Machine A. The marks for Machine B are counted off by small squares,
and will be half the amount of the reading. By extending the line from the
marks, the amount of correction will be seen at the lines for the mounting
feet as shown in Fig. 4 -8.

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Fig. 4 -8.

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MACHINE ALIGNMENT

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