Diesel generator alignment in Hai Phong

Diesel generator alignment is crucial for ensuring the optimal service life of the engine and its driven equipment. Incorrect alignment can cause excessive vibration, premature wear of components like bearings and clutch parts, and the need for frequent re-alignment. Proper alignment practices, including shimming, torque control, and the use of accurate laser or dial indicators, can help prevent these issues and account for factors like bearing clearances and thermal growth. By implementing successful diesel generator alignment projects in Vietnam, Hai Ha M&S has demonstrated their expertise in this area.

Diesel Generator Alignment Considerations

Parallel/Bore Misalignment:Parallel or bore misalignment is a type of misalignment that occurs when the centerlines of the engine and driven equipment are parallel but not in the same plane. This can result in excessive vibration, reduced service life of driven equipment, and frequent realignment. Good alignment practices such as proper shimming, correct torque on hold-down bolts, and accurate usage of laser or dial indicators can help prevent parallel or bore misalignment and ensure optimal engine performance.

Angular/Face Misalignment: Angular or face misalignment refers to a situation in which the centerlines of the driven equipment and engines are not parallel to each other.

Bore Misalignment: To properly align driven equipment and engines, it is important to note that misalignment can occur in multiple planes. This means that alignment readings must be taken at 90-degree intervals as the units are rotated.

Hai Ha M&S has successfully implemented several diesel generator alignment projects in Vietnam
Below is the most recent project that we have done in Hai Phong port. a Chinese diesel generator line and very difficult to modify a lot because the generator was replaced unlike the old one.

The generator base is much higher than the diesel engine base so the surface of the generator base must be cut and grinded smoothly.

Cutting the generator base to the above position is the most suitable option, then measuring the ratio between the generator and the diesel engine.

The engine base positions are ground and polished.

After measuring the difference between the generator and the engine, 4 iron plates of the same shoe dimension were fabricated.

Use the wire to check the surface flatness of the 4 machine base positions.

The clearance should not exceed 0.05mm and the clearance of all 4 positions is about 0.02 to 0.03 and less.

Apply a thin layer of Epoxy resin before placing the iron plate.

Proper machine alignment is crucial to ensure optimal performance, prevent major failures, and ensure safety. The shaft is the primary component of a machine, and when coupling two machines together, proper alignment is necessary. During alignment, the centerlines of both shafts should be aligned and parallel on all axes to avoid any misalignment. Misalignment can lead to significant problems, including crankshaft bearing failure, breakdown of major components, increased downtime, and complete shutdowns in industries and vessels due to diesel generator breakdowns. Thus, it’s critical to prioritize proper alignment to avoid these issues, as the cost of neglecting it can be enormous.

It’s essential to be aware of the early warning signs of misalignment to avoid catastrophic failures, such as heavy vibration, high temperature, frequent loosening of foundation and other bolts, repeated bolt breakage, oil/grease leakage from seals, high prevalence of coupling failure, overheating components, frequent bearing failure, and unstable machine loads. Regular maintenance and alignment checks can help prevent costly downtime and repairs and ensure the safety of workers and equipment. Therefore, it’s essential not to wait for a failure to occur but take proactive measures to prioritize proper machine alignment.