Question 1

What is laser shaft alignment, and why is it important for my equipment?

Accepted Answer

Laser shaft alignment uses a laser emitter and detector to measure, to very fine tolerances, how two coupled shafts sit relative to each other, so they can be brought into true alignment. It matters because even small misalignment between a driver and driven machine forces premature wear on bearings, seals, and couplings, raises vibration, and wastes energy. Correcting it at installation or after a repair is one of the cheapest ways to extend equipment life — and it's work Goltens' in-situ technicians perform to high tolerance every day.

Question 2

How can I tell if my machinery is misaligned?

Accepted Answer

Common signs of misalignment include excess vibration, premature bearing or seal failures, coupling wear or overheating, unusual noise, and loose or broken foundation bolts. Because these same symptoms can point to other faults, confirming misalignment takes precise measurement rather than a visual check. Goltens technicians diagnose and correct alignment issues on-site. Whether you're chasing the cause of a failure or simply suspect equipment has drifted, using laser tools as part of the broader in-situ machining service line is a solid course of action.

Question 3

What are the main benefits of laser alignment over dial indicators?

Accepted Answer

Laser alignment is faster, more precise, and more repeatable than traditional dial-indicator methods, and it removes the reading errors and bracket sag that affect mechanical setups. The equipment calculates the exact corrections needed and produces a digital record of the result, which is valuable for misalignment diagnosis, maintenance documentation, and warranty. For operators, that means a more reliable alignment in less time on site which is a meaningful savings when machinery is down. Goltens' repeated high-tolerance use of these tools is what makes its technicians some of the best in the world at applying them.

Question 4

What kinds of equipment and measurements can Goltens handle with laser alignment?

Accepted Answer

Goltens applies laser alignment across shaft and coupling alignment, alignment of rotating machinery, stern tube bearing alignment, and sheave or pulley alignment, plus line bore measurements and center-of-circle checks. It also measures straightness, flatness, and plumb for machinery bases and large structures. This breadth lets a single Goltens team handle the alignment side of an installation, repair, or troubleshooting job alongside any on-site machining the same visit requires.

Question 5

How does 3D laser scanning for an engine room retrofit work?

Accepted Answer

3D laser scanning captures the exact geometry of an existing space — an engine room, a deck, a structure — as a precise digital model, so new equipment and pipework can be designed to fit before anything is fabricated. This takes the guesswork out of retrofits, cutting the risk of interference and rework during installation. Goltens uses laser scanning for engine room retrofits, hull surveys, 3D dimensional checks with a laser tracker, and thermal growth evaluation, and the same data supports Goltens’ green technologies 3D scanning and decarbonization retrofit work.

Question 6

Does Goltens offer laser alignment as a standalone service?

Accepted Answer

Yes, while Goltens uses laser alignment daily in support of its machining and retrofit work, it also provides it on a fully standalone basis. Customers call on Goltens when installing new equipment, reinstalling repaired equipment, diagnosing the cause of a failure, or simply when they suspect machinery has fallen out of alignment. Wherever the equipment is, Goltens technicians are ready to do the job with precision and speed.

Question 7

What makes Goltens' laser alignment technicians stand out?

Accepted Answer

Goltens technicians use laser alignment and scanning tools on a daily basis in conjunction with high-tolerance in-situ machining and retrofit design and engineering projects. It's that constant, demanding application that makes them some of the best in the world at it. The equipment is deployed at Goltens stations around the globe, backed by a team of expert specialists. That combination of hands-on machining context and global reach is difficult for an alignment-only provider to match.

Question 8

Why choose Goltens for on-site or emergency machinery alignment?

Accepted Answer

Goltens brings specialized laser alignment and scanning equipment, globally deployed stations, and technicians who align rotating machinery, shafts, and stern tube bearings as routine work across marine, offshore, and power generation assets. That footprint means an urgent alignment or diagnostic need reaches a qualified crew quickly, with enquiries typically answered within 12 hours. You can review representative work in the laser alignment case studies, and start a quote through a service request.

Laser Alignment Services

Goltens’ In-Situ technicians have broad expertise as it relates to the use of state-of-the-art laser alignment and laser scanning tools.

FAQs

Case Studies

In-situ machining & laser flatness measurement for a FPSO conversion ship

On-site flange facing and drilling for offshore platform

Metal stitching and crankshaft repairs salvage Yanmar engine

Let Goltens Solve Your Challenge

Find Your Region’s Contact