EMHA, you verify alignments too, right? This question was asked to us by Onyx Power. Our affirmative answer led to a beautiful project. Because this was not just any machine — this was the 793.65 Megawatt turbine shaft of the power plant at the Maasvlakte.
For this assignment, strain gauge alignment techniques were used in combination with a theoretical foundation in the form of an alignment model. Our Engineering and Diagnostics departments worked closely together to combine theoretical and practical knowledge. Initially, a feasibility study was conducted to determine whether a strain gauge alignment verification was possible. This study showed that by means of strain gauges, an alignment error could be detected with an accuracy of 0.08mm, provided that the strain gauges could be read accurately within 1 Megapascal [MPa] alternating stress. In practice, this accuracy proved to be a factor of 2 better, allowing an alignment error to be determined even more precisely. By identifying an alignment error, the customer can act on it and monitor it. All in all, this project became a success in part due to the collaboration between the various disciplines within EMHA and a pleasant cooperation with our customer, in which we guided the customer through every step of the process.
