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Shaft Alignment, Bearing Fitting and Balancing

Poor alignment, wrong bearing fits and unbalanced rotors quietly destroy pumps, fans and motors long before their design life. This hands on programme gives fitters and millwrights the practical skills to align coupled machines correctly, fit and remove bearings without damage, and understand how balancing keeps rotating equipment running smoothly. The methods taught reflect the tools and conditions found on real South African plant, not idealised workshop demonstrations.

What you will be able to do

  • Describe how misalignment, incorrect fits and imbalance shorten equipment life.
  • Perform shaft alignment using dial gauge and laser methods on coupled machines.
  • Fit and remove rolling element bearings using correct heating and pressing techniques.
  • Select bearing fits and clearances suited to the load and operating temperature.
  • Explain single and two plane balancing and interpret balancing results.
  • Apply soft foot checks and thermal growth allowances during machine installation.

Course outline

  1. 01Consequences of misalignment, poor fits and imbalance
  2. 02Shaft alignment with dial gauges and laser tools
  3. 03Soft foot and thermal growth considerations
  4. 04Bearing fitting and removal techniques
  5. 05Selecting fits, clearances and lubrication
  6. 06Principles of single and two plane balancing
  7. 07Interpreting balancing and alignment results

Who should attend

Fitters, millwrights, mechanical technicians and artisans responsible for installing, aligning and overhauling rotating machinery such as pumps, motors and fans.

Dates, venues and fees

DatesVenueDaysFeeCalendar
17 to 19 Aug 2026Pretoria3R13,000
24 to 26 Aug 2026Cape Town3R13,000
7 to 9 Sep 2026Online3US$900
14 to 16 Sep 2026Mozambique3US$1,500
21 to 23 Sep 2026Cairo3US$1,500
28 to 30 Sep 2026Accra3US$1,500
5 to 7 Oct 2026Lusaka3US$1,500
12 to 14 Oct 2026Kigali3US$1,500
19 to 21 Oct 2026Nairobi3US$1,500
26 to 28 Oct 2026Durban3R13,000
2 to 4 Nov 2026Johannesburg3R13,000
16 to 18 Nov 2026Mauritius3US$1,500
23 to 25 Nov 2026Dubai3US$1,500
30 Nov to 2 Dec 2026Lagos3US$1,500
7 to 9 Dec 2026Harare3US$1,500
14 to 16 Dec 2026Kampala3US$1,500
21 to 23 Dec 2026Dar es Salaam3US$1,500

Fees are per delegate. South African venues are priced in rand; other locations and online in US dollars. Fees exclude 15% VAT where applicable. Group bookings of three or more delegates from the same organisation qualify for a reduced rate; contact us for a quotation.

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