KEVOS® MAKEOS · Maintenance
Rim and Face Alignment for Any of the 16 Indicator Arrangements
For the way my rim and face dial indicators are mounted (any of the handbook’s sixteen arrangements), how much shim do I add or remove, or how far do I move the machine, at the front, rear and any extra feet, allowing for indicator bracket sag?
Rim and face shaft alignment moves by the handbook’s sixteen dial indicator arrangements, each with its own signs in F = r ÷ (±2) + f B ÷ (±A) and R = r ÷ (±2) + f C ÷ (±A), with the face reading circle A and the distances B, C (and up to three more foot positions) measured from the rim indicator path, positive to one side and negative to the other as for motors with more than four feet, and the indicator bracket sag added to or taken from a vertical rim reading.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Dial indicator arrangement (handbook Fig. 1a to 16a) | choice | The handbook figure whose indicator mounting matches yours; each has its own signs. |
| Readings | choice | Vertical readings give shims; horizontal readings give side-to-side moves. |
| Rim indicator reading r | mm | Rim indicator reading in the reading position, with its sign. |
| Face indicator reading f | mm | Face indicator reading in the reading position, with its sign. |
| Diameter of the face indicator path A | mm | Diameter of the circle the face indicator button traces. |
| Rim indicator path to front feet B (signed) | mm | Axial distance from the rim indicator path to the front feet or front move point. |
| Rim indicator path to rear feet C (signed) | mm | Axial distance from the rim indicator path to the rear feet or rear move point. |
| Extra pairs of feet between or beyond F and R | pairs | Further pairs of feet, as on a motor with more than four feet. |
| Rim indicator path to extra feet 1 (signed) | mm | Distance to the first extra pair of feet. |
| Rim indicator path to extra feet 2 (signed) | mm | Distance to the second extra pair of feet. |
| Rim indicator path to extra feet 3 (signed) | mm | Distance to the third extra pair of feet. |
| Rim indicator bracket sag (reading on a rigid bar) | mm | Total reading of the indicator and bracket rotated 180° on a rigid bar. |
| Rim indicator zeroed at | choice | Where the rim indicator was zeroed for the vertical readings. |
| Largest move you accept as aligned (0 = no check) | mm | Your own alignment tolerance for the moves, if you want them checked. |
What each input means
Open an input to see what it is, its units, the worked example and the common mistakes, with a small diagram.
What this means: Dial indicator arrangement (handbook Fig. 1a to…
- What it is
- Which of the sixteen handbook dial indicator mountings matches your set-up.
- Units and format
- Choose one of 16 options from the list: Arrangement 1 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ A); Arrangement 2 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ (−A)); Arrangement 3 (F = r ÷ 2 + f B ÷ (−A)); Arrangement 4 (F = r ÷ 2 + f B ÷ A); Arrangement 5 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ A); Arrangement 6 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ (−A)); Arrangement 7 (F = r ÷ 2 + f B ÷ (−A)); Arrangement 8 (F = r ÷ 2 + f B ÷ A); Arrangement 9 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ A); Arrangement 10 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ (−A)); Arrangement 11 (F = r ÷ 2 + f B ÷ (−A)); Arrangement 12 (F = r ÷ 2 + f B ÷ A); Arrangement 13 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ A); Arrangement 14 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ (−A)); Arrangement 15 (F = r ÷ 2 + f B ÷ (−A)); Arrangement 16 (F = r ÷ 2 + f B ÷ A).
- Example
- The form opens with “Arrangement 1 (F = r ÷ (−2) + f B ÷ A)” selected as a worked example. Choose the option that matches your case.
- Effect on the result
- Sets the signs of the rim and face terms in both formulas.
- Get it right
- Compare where the rim and face buttons touch and which unit carries the bracket with Figs. 1a to 16a.
What this means: Readings
- What it is
- Whether the readings were taken top and bottom or side to side.
- Units and format
- Choose one of 2 options from the list: Vertical (shims under the feet); Horizontal (side-to-side moves).
- Example
- The form opens with “Vertical (shims under the feet)” selected as a worked example. Choose the option that matches your case.
- Effect on the result
- Vertical results are shim changes; horizontal results are side moves.
- Get it right
- Do the vertical alignment first, then the horizontal alignment.
What this means: Rim indicator reading r
- What it is
- Reading of the dial indicator on the coupling rim in the reading position.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100 mm to 100 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with -0.3556 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Half of it, with its sign, is added to every foot.
- Get it right
- Zero the indicator 180° away, rotate both shafts together and keep the sign of the reading.
What this means: Face indicator reading f
- What it is
- Reading of the dial indicator on the coupling face in the reading position.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100 mm to 100 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 0.5334 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Sets the angular part of the move, larger at feet further away.
- Get it right
- Zero it with the rim indicator and read it at the same rotation.
What this means: Diameter of the face indicator path A
- What it is
- Diameter of the circle the face indicator button traces on the coupling.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0.000001 mm to 10000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 101.6 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- A larger circle makes the same face reading a smaller angle.
- Get it right
- Measure the button’s radius from the shaft centre and double it.
What this means: Rim indicator path to front feet B (signed)
- What it is
- Axial distance from the path of the rim indicator to the front feet or the front move point.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100000 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 165.1 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Multiplies the face reading term, so feet further away need larger moves.
- Get it right
- Measure from the rim indicator path; enter it as negative if the feet are on the other side of the rim indicator.
What this means: Rim indicator path to rear feet C (signed)
- What it is
- Axial distance from the path of the rim indicator to the rear feet or the rear move point.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100000 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 457.2 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Multiplies the face reading term, so feet further away need larger moves.
- Get it right
- Measure from the rim indicator path; enter it as negative if the feet are on the other side of the rim indicator.
What this means: Extra pairs of feet between or beyond F and R
- What it is
- How many further pairs of feet the movable machine stands on.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in pairs: pairs. The form accepts 0 pairs to 3 pairs. Use a whole number. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 0 pairs as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Adds a shim or move result for each extra pair.
- Get it right
- A motor with ten feet has three pairs besides the front and rear pairs.
What this means: Rim indicator path to extra feet 1 (signed)
- What it is
- Axial distance from the path of the rim indicator to the first extra pair of feet.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100000 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 0 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Multiplies the face reading term, so feet further away need larger moves.
- Get it right
- Measure from the rim indicator path; enter it as negative if the feet are on the other side of the rim indicator.
What this means: Rim indicator path to extra feet 2 (signed)
- What it is
- Axial distance from the path of the rim indicator to the second extra pair of feet.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100000 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 0 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Multiplies the face reading term, so feet further away need larger moves.
- Get it right
- Measure from the rim indicator path; enter it as negative if the feet are on the other side of the rim indicator.
What this means: Rim indicator path to extra feet 3 (signed)
- What it is
- Axial distance from the path of the rim indicator to the third extra pair of feet.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts -100000 mm to 100000 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 0 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Multiplies the face reading term, so feet further away need larger moves.
- Get it right
- Measure from the rim indicator path; enter it as negative if the feet are on the other side of the rim indicator.
What this means: Rim indicator bracket sag (reading on a rigid b…
- What it is
- Total reading of the rim indicator and bracket turned 180° on a rigid bar.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0 mm to 10 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 0 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Corrects the vertical rim reading by this amount.
- Get it right
- Mount the bracket on a pipe in V-blocks exactly as on the machine, zero at the top and read at the bottom.
What this means: Rim indicator zeroed at
- What it is
- Clock position at which the rim indicator was set to zero.
- Units and format
- Choose one of 2 options from the list: 12 o’clock (sag is added); 6 o’clock (sag is subtracted).
- Example
- The form opens with “12 o’clock (sag is added)” selected as a worked example. Choose the option that matches your case.
- Effect on the result
- Sets whether the sag is added to or taken from the rim reading.
- Get it right
- Zeroed at 12 o’clock the sag is added; zeroed at 6 o’clock it is subtracted.
What this means: Largest move you accept as aligned (0 = no chec…
- What it is
- The largest shim change or move that you will accept as aligned.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in mm: millimetres. The form accepts 0 mm to 10 mm. Required: the tool does not calculate until every input is valid.
- Example
- The form opens with 0 mm as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Moves within it report the machine as aligned.
- Get it right
- Use the tolerance from your alignment standard for the speed of the machine, or 0 to skip the check.
Method and formulas
- Choose the arrangement that matches the indicator mounting; its formulas are F = r ÷ (±2) + f B ÷ (±A) and R = r ÷ (±2) + f C ÷ (±A) with the signs of that figure.
- Distances are measured from the rim indicator path: to one side they enter as positive values and to the other as negative values, as the handbook does for motors with more than four feet; each foot uses the same formula with its own distance.
- Vertical readings: a rim indicator zeroed at 12 o’clock has its bracket sag added to the reading, one zeroed at 6 o’clock has it subtracted.
- A positive result adds shims (vertical) or moves the machine in the positive direction of the figure (horizontal); a negative result removes shims or moves it the other way.
- Example: arrangement 1 needs 1.0446 mm at the front feet and 2.5781 mm at the rear feet.
Limitations
- The readings must be taken after zeroing 180° from the reading position, as the handbook figures show.
- Correct for thermal growth separately; the readings are for the machines as measured.
- The handbook describes the sag correction for vertical readings taken at 12 and 6 o’clock.
- Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.
Typical uses
- Work out shims when the indicators are mounted differently from the usual set-up
- Align a motor with more than four feet
- Correct a vertical rim reading for bracket sag
Who it is for
- Maintenance fitters
- Millwrights
- Reliability engineers
What you get
- Shim change or move at the front and rear feet
- Shim change or move at up to three extra pairs of feet
- Rim reading after the sag correction
- Whether the moves are within your tolerance
Interpreting the result
- Half the rim reading is the offset of the shafts at the rim indicator; the face reading divided by A is their angularity.
- If the diagram of the readings and the numbers seem to disagree, follow the numbers; the handbook diagrams are not to scale.
References
- Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 2627–2650. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.
Learn the Concepts Behind This Tool
These KEVOS® Library readings explain the method this tool uses, with worked examples.
Useful alongside · KEVOS® original book
The rim and face method
In Shaft Alignment by the Numbers
What it covers: How rim and face dial readings give offset and angularity at the coupling, how similar triangles turn them into corrections at the feet, and how to check the signs before moving.
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Open the Rim and Face Alignment for Any of the 16 Indicator Arrangements calculator