ShaftDesigner Shaft alignment and vibration calculation software

Detect and prevent alignment problems and harmful vibrations in any propulsion design Why calculations are important An optimally designed propulsion installation increases the life time of bearings, seals and couplings, while also reducing energy consumption, noise, vibrations and excessive wear. A well-designed propulsion shaft line can avoid unplanned maintenance and as a result, reduce expensive off-hire time of a vessel. Drawing on decades of theoretical and practical experience with rotating machinery and services for propulsion shaft lines, SKF provides the state-of-the-art ShaftDesigner...

ShaftDesigner software enables the user to: The software’s main features are: • Get quick, specific and accurate results while minimizing chances of input errors • Shaft alignment calculations using an FEM model under all operating conditions of a vessel • Prevent potential alignment problems and harmful vibrations in any propulsion design • Calculation of whirling/bending, axial and torsional vibration including ice impact feature • Reduce the chance of shaft component malfunctioning and warranty claims • Drag and drop modelling including component library and history/undo feature • Select the...

Shaft alignment calculations The goal of the shaft alignment calculation is to determine the positions of shaft line bearings at the time of alignment, or to optimise the bearing load of shaft lines. Both of these goals provide safe operation of the vessel’s propulsion train under all specified operating conditions. The position of the shaft line bearing axis is defined by vertical and horizontal offsets of the bearing bush centre point, and by the bearing bush inclinations relative to the reference line. Shaft line deflections are calculated automatically when the application is run. The application...

Vibration calculations The ShaftDesigner software calculates all shaft-related vibrations, using separate modules for whirling (lateral), axial and torsional vibrations. All modules use the single 3D base model for performing the specific vibration calculations. The torsional vibration module further includes a mass-elastic system modeller, which makes it possible to use this torsional vibration module as a separate software solution without the need for any other modules. Basic lateral vibration module The main result of the basic lateral vibration calculation is an overview of critical speeds...

Axial vibration module The main features of the axial vibration module are free and forced axial vibration calculations. The free axial vibration calculations show an overview of the various critical speeds with their corresponding mode shapes. The forced axial vibration calculations show actual shaft displacement and thrust bearing loads in relation to the running speed of the installation. Different options are available to set excitation, stiffness and damping parameters for all relevant equipment. Torsional vibration module Using the mass-elastic system of the complete propulsion installation,...

The ShaftDesigner software was initially developed for the Marine Service Division of SKF. It was created as a bridge between theoretical expertise and practical experience in the field of shaft alignment and vibration measurement and analysis. SKF engineers provide problem solving services around the globe every day. The Shaft­ Designer software, in combination with various measurement methods, enables them to quickly find the cause of problems on board. SKF is also able to provide shaft alignment and vibration calculations as a service, enabling customers to access the calculations without...

Lubrication systems Calculations Simulations Verifications Engineering consultancy services The Power of Knowledge Engineering Combining products, people, and applicationspecific knowledge, SKF delivers innovative solutions to equipment manufacturers and production facilities in every major industry worldwide. Having expertise in multiple competence areas supports SKF Life Cycle Management, a proven approach to improving equipment reliability, optimizing operational and energy efficiency and reducing total cost of ownership. These competence areas include bearings and units, seals, lubrication...