The answer to this month’s trouble shooter is provided by Phil Burge, country communications manager at SKF
Belt alignment or, more precisely, pulley alignment, is a principal maintenance activity. When pulleys are not aligned properly, additional loads are induced. The aim of belt alignment is to align the grooves of the drive and driven pulleys so that the belts run with minimal wear. Proper alignment extends the service life of belts and bearings, reduces vibration and noise levels, and saves energy.
Pulley misalignment can be angular, between the driving and driven pulley in either the vertical or horizontal plane, or it can be parallel, with one pulley offset from the other as the pulleys are viewed from the edge. In practice, more than one type of belt misalignment can exist at the same time. Unless belt misalignment is corrected, a new belt will last no longer than the one it replaced.
There are two ways to align pulleys: Traditional and laser. Traditional alignment methods are quick but often inaccurate. With these methods, mechanical tools such as straightedges, tape measures, wire, string, feeler gauges, spirit levels and calibrated cones are used.
In contrast with traditional belt alignment tools, laser equipment enables measurements and adjustments to be made with a very high level of precision. Belt manufacturers typically recommend a maximum horizontal angular misalignment from 1.0 to 0.25°. This accuracy can only be achieved with precision alignment tools such as laser equipment.
Laser belt alignment tools can be designed to align the faces of the pulleys, or their grooves. In general, laser systems that align the pulley grooves, provide superior accuracy to those that align the pulley faces. Aligning the pulley grooves also allows pulleys of different thickness, brand, type or face quality to be aligned accurately.
The root causes of misalignment in fans are bent or incorrectly installed shafts and worn bearings. These result in vibration, noise and heat, which effectively wastes energy. Misaligned shafts also increase the load on motors, requiring increased power consumption from the motor to generate the additional turning effort required to rotate the shaft.
C.K Tools, the hand tool specialist, is warning the electrical trade to watch out for fake versions of its top-selling Cable Cutter (3963) after being targeted by counterfeiters.
C.K TOOLS, the hand tools specialist, has announced it is extending its trade favourite multitool accessories range with the launch of three new products. With oscillating tools a staple for electricians who work with a variety of materials, C.K Tools’ new multitool accessories include a Carbide Blade (T0877), Scraper (T0878) and Box Cutter (T0880), ensuring versatility and precision for any occasion.
CARL KAMMERLING NTERNATIONAL (CKI), the home of C.K Tools, says it is giving the electrical and industrial trade another reason to have access to the best tools for the job through its 2022 Fusion.
Ultrasound technology has become one of the essential tools in predictive maintenance, condition monitoring and reliability, due to its quick learning curve, ease of use and flexibility. Leak detection has been one of the most common applications for ultrasound, but we now see the technology more and more being used together with sound analysis software to diagnose specific mechanical and electrical faults. Christopher Hallum, UE Systems’ Regional Manager UK & Ireland reports
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