Belt misalignment of the driving and driven pulleys is by far the most common and damaging installation error that occurs on belt. Belt misalignment is not usually due to carelessness on the part of the installer. Belt alignment problems are more often due to a lack of suitable tools with which to carry out the required alignment.

For many years, at best, a tight wire or straight edge were the only belt alignment tools available. Both methods rely entirely on the installer’s eyesight to ensure that the belt alignment is correct. Neither method has any measurements documented. Both rely upon the installer adjusting the driven pulley until the faces or grooves of the driven pulley touch the surface of the straight edge or tight wire. The driven pulley is then rotated half a turn and then rechecked and adjusted. The measurement is then repeated until the pulleys appear to be in line. No angularity or inaccurate mounting of the reference line is measurable. The system is purely an estimate of the alignment of the two pulleys.

There are three basic parameters that describe pulley misalignment. These are vertical angularity, horizontal angularity and axial offset. These conditions usually occur in any or all combinations of belt alignment condition.

There are two different methods used to achieve pulley alignment and belt alignment on rotating machinery. The less advanced method uses mechanical tools such as a straightedge, feeler gauge, tape measure, wire, string, spirit level, or calibrated cone. This traditional method might be quicker, but it does not ensure accuracy.

A more advanced method uses pulley alignment with laser technology to take reliable, accurate readings. A laser pulley belt alignment tool makes it easier to identify misalignment and maximizes measurement efficiently.

Pulley alignment is critical because when a pulley is misaligned, it causes additional load on machinery. Laser pulley alignment decreases vibration, prolongs belt and bearing life, and reduces vibration, noise, and energy consumption.

A laser pulley alignment tool is easier to read and increases alignment accuracy. Proper pulley and belt alignment prolongs machine life substantially and decreases power consumption by reducing belt and pulley wear and improving asset performance.