Precision bore alignment is critical for the proper functioning of various components within a system. For example, in plastic extrusion equipment, extruder barrels must properly align with the extruder screw and the gearbox to ensure efficiency and the production of quality parts. Any misalignment can lead to excessive wear on the screw and barrel, and operational inefficiencies.
Challenges with outdated tools
Bore alignment can be a tedious and challenging process. Measurements typically must be taken along different axes and results derived from various reference points manually calculated and compared.
Outdated tools, such as piano wire and dial indicators, are time-consuming to position and tend to yield inconsistent results. Dial indicators also have limitations working with small bores and can easily fall out of calibration, leading to inaccurate readings. Additionally, piano wire can bend over long distances and lacks the precision needed for tight tolerances.
Laser alignment eliminates hassles
Laser alignment systems simplify the bore alignment process. These intuitive and user-friendly tools allow even inexperienced operators to get started quickly and avoid costly mistakes that could delay production by hours, if not days. They are simple to configure and consist of just two main components including a transmitter that produces a laser reference beam for measurement and a receiver that, when placed at the bore location, measures the bore’s relative position to the laser centerline.
Laser bore alignment tools measure increments as small as 0.001” over ranges of 165 feet. With an accuracy of 0.004”, they meet stringent tolerances required in precision engineering. In addition, units are robust enough for use in various areas of the factory floor.
Simple yet reliable
Laser alignment systems address bore alignment concerns across different industries, including aviation, vehicle, marine and manufacturing. They simplify the reading of bore position measurements, working with displays or allowing users to download results into Excel spreadsheets for analysis. Software can calculate bore alignment errors and suggest necessary adjustments.
In the aircraft industry, where fiber reinforced compositions are bonded to titanium fittings during preassembly, laser systems can ensure accurate alignment. If a finished section needs aligned holes, the layer of materials for attachment can be properly fit with a laser alignment system. This tool can ensure precision alignment of pins and bushings along a common centerline, guaranteeing parallelism with the walls of the pins and bushings.
Parts requiring concentric alignment, such as spindles, lathes and bores, benefit significantly from having a well-defined straight line from one end of a fixture. Laser alignment ensures line precision, whether 1” or 101”, at first measurement, eliminating guesswork and the trial-and-error approach.
Overcome challenges
Some laser alignment systems enable engineers to measure multiple bores simultaneously. Customized fixtures and accessories accommodate different configurations and orientations for measuring small and large bores, ranging from 3/8” to 60” and larger in different locations. Wireless setups further facilitate that resolution of challenging bore alignment issues.
In addition to conducting bore straightness checks, laser alignment systems streamline tasks related to runout measurement, flatness and planar measurement, precision angular measurement and more. The ideal laser system can save considerable time by simplifying alignment tasks from installation through ongoing maintenance checks.
