In water and wastewater, system reliability isn’t just optional, it’s crucial. Motion’s laser alignment services help ensure that critical infrastructure starts strong and stays that way
For newly installed pump stations, correct motor-to-pump alignment is key to efficiency, performance, and equipment longevity.
In the utilities sector, especially in water and wastewater, pump stations are vital assets.
They’re also under relentless pressure – expected to run reliably, often around the clock, and with little tolerance for downtime.
So, when a new station is installed, the stakes are high.
According to Motion’s reliability engineer Yashpal Katkade, correct motor-to-pump alignment is essential.
“If something goes wrong with the pump or motor in water or wastewater, the impact can be huge – not just in terms of cost, but in the services that get disrupted,” he says.
“If alignment isn’t done right from the beginning, the system won’t perform the way it’s supposed to, and components will wear out faster than they should.”
What misalignment really means
While alignment might sound like a simple box to tick, the mechanical reality is far more complex.
As Katkade explains, misalignment can occur in two key forms: parallel misalignment (where the centre lines of the pump and motor shafts are offset) and angular misalignment (where the shafts meet at an angle, rather than in a straight line).
Either condition introduces stress into the system.
“You’ll see more vibration, rising temperatures, more energy consumption and reduced system performance,” Katkade says.
“Over time, bearings and seals will start to fail. The whole system suffers.”
To read the full article in Motion’s new interactive magazine, please click here.