Alignment issues can be hard to detect and can be left unnoticed for long periods of time
Alignment issues can be hard to detect and can be left unnoticed for long periods of time. If this happens, the stress and vibrations caused by misaligned rotating equipment can lead to wear and breakdowns in the shaft assembly. Over time, this could even lead to large-scale damage to struts and hulls. It is important that regular, professional inspection is carried out and realignment is essential in ensuring equipment is in good condition and avoids the risk of problems escalating.
To overcome the shortcomings resulting from inadequate measuring tools and practices, Wärtsilä has developed the portable condition-based monitoring system (PCBM). This offers a dynamic approach to measuring tail shaft alignment using state-of-the-art technology. It delivers detailed root cause information on vibration levels, temperatures, shaft runout, whirling, movement, torque, stress and on the position of the equipment. These parameters and more are given while the ship is operating under differing conditions and speeds.
By comprehensively measuring all these parameters, the PCBM system can ensure that investigational conclusions are based on substantiated facts derived from the entire shaft line assembly. These measurements are all stored in the system’s data logger and can be extracted at any time.
The equipment installation can be performed by a single service engineer and the data logging is carried out while the ship is operating as normal with no downtime. The installation can be completed while the ship is in port and the data collected for analysis at the next port-of-call.
Wärtsilä Alignment and Measurement Services cover all types of rotating and non-rotating equipment. The measurements are carried out using class-approved methodology. The analysis is made by senior technical specialists in accordance with classification society requirements, and the reporting procedure provides a record of the measurements along with a proposal for the corrective actions.
With the right tools in place, shaft lines can be realigned in a couple of hours. This is particularly useful if damage has occurred when a vessel is on a tight schedule. Shaft realignment can also be used as a preventative maintenance measure. In the event of a bearing failure, measuring the correction while afloat can safely bring the vessel in to dock for repair. Wärtsilä’s state-of-the-art tools ensure precise and effective results.
Through working with Wärtsilä Alignment and Measurement Services, ship operators have access to turnkey services covering the entire scope of works. The tools and technology we utilise can increase operating time and productivity through the reduced equipment wear experienced. Our tools provide fast and accurate measurement, which provides ship operators with a clear understanding of the condition of their vessel’s shaft line. This is supported through printouts and live visual displays.
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