shaft / bore aligning ?

[motomartin]

I need to come up with a solution to align a bearing bore in a bolt-up casting that is a metre from a shaft end that it needs to be concentric to.

Heres some ideas so far.

laser on a block attached to shaft pointed at 'target' that is plugged into bore. Spin shaft and move casting until described laser circle is central to target.

machine a bar and attach to shaft - align manually by measurement.

cats whiskers ??

Any tried and tested methods i should use ?

 

[steveh]

The ideal solution is to find a shop with a large horizontal boring mill.

 

[motomartin]

The shaft is in a different casting to the bolted up bore housing.
There is a flat bolt-up connection to join the two parts.

 

[Tmoose]

What kind of bearings?
Flange type ball or roller bearings have housings that let the bearing pivot and align themselves.

Is it possible to use simultaneous set up to bore the main case and a pilot diamter and face ,then some thiing similar to the bolt on housing, so the mating geometry provide enough alignment>

 

[byrdj]

A few more details would be needed for the best method. Proably most importaint is how concentric is needed. For example 0.001" or 1/4". For what I assume, I would make a bracket to mount to the shaft and use a dial indicator to sweep the bore. this will allow the bore housing to be slipped around for alignment.

Things needed to be considered would be
1)the sag in the bracket if shaft is horizonal
2)the bearing supporting the shaft. if the bearings have clearance
3) being able to get the bracket off after alignment.

Your ideal of attaching a pointer laser to the shaft, instaling a target in the bore, then turning shaft to trace a circle sounds good if desired alignment is within the visual range (say 1/16")

 

[BillPSU]

You are faced with not only the bearing being concentric for location which can be attained by using and indicator on the rotating shaft but also you need alignment with the shaft centerline. The next issue is this alignment necessary in the unloaded condition or does the load being carried by the shaft come into consideration? Was this outboard support bearing an after thought on this design.

Give us some conditions size of shaft, load, rpm and maybe someone can come up with a few thoughts on resolving this situation.