A PRACTICAL APPROACH TO SHAFT ALIGNMENT
17 - 18 SEPTEMBER 2026
COURSE INTRODUCTION
Correct shaft alignment reduces vibration, bearing and seal damage, energy loss and unplanned downtime. This hands-on programme takes participants through pre-alignment checks, soft-foot and pipe-strain correction, alignment tolerances, reverse-dial methods and laser alignment so they can measure, correct and verify coupled-machine alignment with greater confidence.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this programme, participants should be able to:
- Explain how shaft misalignment affects vibration, component life, energy use and operating cost.
- Interpret alignment tolerances and recognise common symptoms and causes of misalignment.
- Perform pre-alignment checks for soft foot, pipe strain and shaft runout.
- Apply the reverse-dial indicator method to determine required corrections.
- Set up and use a laser-alignment system for coupled machinery.
- Correct horizontal and vertical misalignment and verify the final result.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This programme is suitable for maintenance engineers, mechanical engineers, reliability teams, technicians, supervisors, plant personnel and operations teams responsible for equipment performance.
COURSE CONTENT
- Business and reliability impact of shaft misalignment
- Alignment objectives, tolerances, causes and operating symptoms
- Pre-alignment inspection and preparation of coupled machinery
- Soft-foot detection and correction
- Pipe strain, shaft runout and other influences on alignment accuracy
- Reverse-dial indicator alignment method
- Laser-alignment system setup and measurement
- Horizontal and vertical correction of misalignment
- Final verification, documentation and practical alignment exercises
