SKF laser alignment tools for shafts and pulleys: TKSA and TKBA series

When two coupled machines, a motor and a pump for instance, do not share the same axis of rotation, there is misalignment. It can be parallel (the shafts are offset), angular (they form an angle) or, most often, a combination of both. On the plant floor it shows up as vibration, hot bearings, leaking seals, short-lived couplings and higher energy consumption.

A shaft alignment tool measures that deviation with two measuring units clamped to each shaft. As the shafts are rotated, the tool calculates how far the movable machine is off vertically and horizontally and tells you the correction for each foot: how much to shim and how much to move sideways. It replaces the straightedge and the dial indicator with a faster, repeatable measurement.

On a belt drive the problem is the same with a different geometry: both pulleys must run in the same plane. A belt alignment tool is attached to the pulleys and shows the misalignment at a glance while it is being corrected.

Start with the task. Coupled machines (a motor driving a pump, fan, gearbox or compressor) need a shaft alignment tool from the TKSA series. Belt drives need a belt alignment tool from the TKBA series. They are different tools and one does not replace the other.

Within the TKSA series the number ranks the tools from basic to advanced: from the TKSA 11, the simplest, to the TKSA 31 and TKSA 41 with their own display unit, and the TKSA 51 and TKSA 71, which are operated from an app. What decides the choice is how often you align, the distance between the measuring units, the space available to mount them and whether you need reports of the job.

For pulleys, the TKBA 10, TKBA 31 and TKBA 40 do the same job with different mounting and reading systems. Tell us the belt type and the pulley size and we will tell you which one fits.

A good alignment starts before the tool is switched on. Check that the base is clean and solid, that there is no soft foot (a foot that does not rest flat and distorts the housing when tightened), that the bolts are in good condition and that you have machinery shims in the usual thicknesses at hand. If the machine runs hot, allow for thermal growth: the compensation values come from the machine manufacturer. After correcting, measure again: the job ends with a measurement that confirms it.