What is the main benefit of using laser alignment over dial indicator alignment for rotating equipment?

The main benefit of using laser alignment over dial indicator alignment for rotating equipment is increased accuracy and speed, leading to more precise alignment, reduced downtime, and improved equipment reliability. Alignment refers to the process of positioning two or more rotating shafts so that their centerlines are collinear (on the same line) at the operating temperature. Misalignment can cause excessive vibration, bearing wear, seal damage, and coupling failures. Dial indicator alignment involves using dial indicators to measure the relative position of the shafts at different points and then calculating the necessary adjustments. This method is time-consuming and prone to errors due to indicator sag, human error in reading the indicators, and difficulty in accounting for thermal growth. Laser alignment systems use laser beams and electronic detectors to measure the shaft positions with much greater accuracy and speed. Laser systems automatically calculate the required adjustments and provide real-time feedback as the adjustments are made. This results in more precise alignment, reduced downtime, and improved equipment reliability. Additionally, laser alignment systems can often account for thermal growth automatically, simplifying the alignment process. For example, aligning a large turbine-generator set with laser alignment can be done much faster and more accurately than with dial indicators, reducing the time required for a maintenance outage.