Right angle gearboxes are used to reduce or increase the speed of an application. They are available in spur, helical, bevel, and worm types. Correcting misalignment in the gearboxes is of utmost importance. A laser alignment system can be used to read and provide the correct structure, position, and geometry of the shaft that is located inside the machine.
Relation between the Plane of the Shaft & Proper Alignment
In right angle gearboxes, the output shaft is at right angles to the input shaft. In terms of alignment, when the output shaft is in the horizontal plane, it is easy to align. Machine train alignment is used to align these gearboxes. On the other hand, if the output shaft is in the vertical plane, the alignment becomes much more complex. This is because it has to be aligned considering the rules of vertical alignment. The shaft is vertically aligned as well. In such cases, it is easier to assume that the machine is supported by a flange (the flange forms the feet of the machine). It is at this point that shimming takes place. Shimming is performed to correct misalignment. It is important to detect misalignment in the gearbox before any aligning is performed. At the onset, you must make a note of the measurements of the couplings. This helps in minimizing shimming.
Understanding the Process of Shimming
The shims are inserted at the feet of the machine to customize the bolt patterns. A machine that enables you to make changes to the bolt positions is of paramount importance. The shimming procedure can be performed in various ways, viz. positive, negative, and optimized. The right solution should be chosen according to the problem. This will allow you to get the perfect alignment with minimal effort. It will also keep you from disrupting the rest of the system. It is important to correct all the issues related to angularity before addressing any offset problems.
Accurate alignment is essential not just in industrial right angle gearboxes but every type of gear system. It helps increase the life of the smaller components in an application like the bearings, seals, nuts, etc. This in turn helps increase the life of the equipment.