How to align machines in line - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 01:48:33 pm
content: So I once again need to move some of my pick and place line as I've got my corner unit functional and can now move things to an easier spot.My main challenge with this is lining everything up. Does any one have a technique that works for getting the machines actually well aligned? My process previously has been very slow.Laser level, bits of string etc? The machines are over 4000kg each with feeders so a gentle push isn't very effective.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 02:05:58 pm
content: Quote from: loki42 on March 10, 2025, 01:48:33 pmDefine "well"; see tag underneath the flag <--- over there.Bolt railway track to floor. Push machines against track.Cut slots in floor. Drop machines in slots.Find good contractor. Pay contractor to do it.Attach (lots of) helium balloons to reduce load on floor. Manually manoeuvre into place.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 02:18:25 pm
content: Well in the case I would like boards to pass smoothly between all 14 machines (printing, pnp, inspection, oven, loader etc) in the line. I historically have had to tune things as say, 1 in 50 panels would get stuck between machines and then I'd bring that down over time.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 02:52:50 pm
content: Quote from: loki42 on March 10, 2025, 02:18:25 pmMetres? Millimetres? Micrometers?Numbers not adjectives.

author: Rat_Patrol
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 06:19:19 pm
content: laser line and tape measure

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 10:29:30 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on March 10, 2025, 02:52:50 pmI line with the Smema standard both for degrees and mm.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 10:31:46 pm
content: I find that when I have them on skates to move small errors in level when on the skates mean that when you level the machines in place they are no longer properly aligned and the cycle restarts. I'm suspicious that someone actually has a better system.

author: incf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2025, 10:51:31 pm
content: For fine adjustments:What you need is a Dial indicator (with magnetic stand, on a thick 6" square metal plate), and a hand pumped hydraulic jack braced against the wall with cinder blocks/lumber/etc.Use a laser or whatever to determine roughly how out of position you are. Then using the hydraulic jack to move one end of the machine a fixed known amount (say 0.5mm / 20mil) by watching the dial indicator.Recheck how aligned you are after moving the machine 0.5mm. Rinse and repeat.A hydraulic jack will permit fine adjustment of multi-ton machines if your wall is strong enough to push the machine.If your wall is not strong or near enough. Brace against a fork lift or some other heavy object. The dial indicator will allow you to measure how far you've pushed the machine even if the fork lift/etc. shifts slightly.---If possible the machine should be firmly sitting on the floor, and not on rollers/etc.You may scuff the floor.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2025, 08:09:45 am
content: Oh I didn't think of using the jack braced against a wall. That's a great idea. I've got plenty of dial indicators. Thanks!

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2025, 10:54:11 am
content: I have no experience pushing a 4000 kg item around. The biggest piece of non-motorized machinery I have moved was my mill at only about 1000 kg.Depending on the sort of skid it's on (coefficient of friction), I'd be worried about pushing against the wall. For aligning much smaller stuff on a mill table, I find gentle tapping is the best way to get that last few thousandths (inches) moved. Scaled up that would be a wooden block and small mallet against the frame. A pry bar as used by movers also works for adjusting larger errors.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2025, 02:24:53 pm
content: Yeah i could push against my forklift but it's only 2000kg so I'd assume it moves first.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2025, 06:12:00 pm
content: My skid steer with forks is a bit over 6000 lb (2700 kg), and if i takes enough force to move it in any direction while off (hydraulics lock), I would definitely not push against a cinder block/concrete block wall as they are made in the US. If you are right at floor level with a 6 ft 4x4 to spread the pressure, you might get by with it. A foot above floor, it'd probably do damage. Maybe this weekend I will have time to test it?Any big trees around that you could attach a come along to? I'd give theskid steerfork lift a chance first. If you have any hard point to pull with, that's what I would attach the come along or ratchet to.

author: jmelson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2025, 04:02:14 pm
content: I found it was fairly easy to move my Quad QSA30A (similar to Samsung CP30) P&P machine on the wheels. When supported by the footpads, of course, it would be nearly impossible to move. Perhaps very small adjustments could be made by prying under the frame with a BIG crowbar. I can't imagine the need for mm-level adjustments, but then I don't have any sort of conveyor setup, I carry the boards by hand from stencil station to P&P and then to batch oven. (Low Tech!)Jon