White paper: In-service monitoring of shaft line alignment

Ships are incredible machines at the mercy of powerful natural forces. At their heart is a shaft line comprising a series of components that are carefully connected to deliver optimal propulsion performance. From the engine through to the propeller, these components are aligned with such precision that even the slightest deviation can lead to knock-on damages that can cause huge expense and inconvenience for ship owners and operators.

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Causes of misalignment
3. Challenges of rotating equipment
4. Modern alignment: Still missing a trick
5. Real-life alignment measurement
6. Advance warning of shaft line failures
7. Conclusion

Written by

Wärtsilä