SKF Belt Alignment Tools

TKBA Series

Belt–driven machinery downtime caused

by misalignment is a thing of the past
SKF Belt Alignment Tools
One of the common reasons for unplanned downtime of belt-driven
machinery is pulley misalignment. Pulley misalignment can increase wear
on pulleys and belts as well as increasing the noise and vibration level
that can result in unplanned machinery downtime. Another side effect
of increased vibration is premature bearing failure. This too can cause
unplanned machinery downtime.

Traditional belt alignment methods

These methods are usually visual in combination with a straight edge
and/or length of string. Although quick to perform, they are often
inaccurate.

Laser belt alignment methods

Using a laser belt alignment tool is quicker and more accurate than
traditional methods. Belt alignment tools can either align the pulley
Measuring parallel and angular faces or the pulley grooves.
misalignment using a straight edge
or a piece of string. Accurate pulley and belt alignment can help you:
• Increase bearing life.
• Increase machinery uptime, efficiency and productivity.
• Reduce wear on pulleys and belts.
• Reduce friction and thereby energy consumption.
• Reduce noise and vibration.
• Reduce costs of replacing components and machinery downtime.
A
n

B
n

C
n

D
n

A
n Vertical angle misalignment.

B
n Parallel misalignment.

C
n Horizontal angle misalignment.

D
n Correct alignment.


TKBA 10 TKBA 20

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SKF offers a range of three different belt alignment tools to enable accurate alignment
for almost all applications. The tools are designed to be easy to use without any special
training. The laser position indicates the nature of misalignment allowing easy and
accurate adjustment.

TKBA 10 and TKBA 20 TKBA 40

Versatile tools for pulley and sprocket alignment Highly accurate tool for V-belt pulley alignment

The SKF TKBA 10 and TKBA 20 allow pulleys and sprockets to be The SKF TKBA 40 aligns V-belt pulleys in the grooves. V–guides and
aligned on the side face. The unit magnetically attaches to the inside powerful magnets allow the TKBA 40 to be fitted in the grooves of the
or outside face of almost any belt pulley or chain sprocket and has no pulley. With only two components, a laser–emitting unit and a receiver
small parts or targets that can get lost. A laser line is projected from the unit, the belt alignment tool is easy and fast to attach. The three–
transmitter unit to the reflector unit mounted on the opposite pulley. dimensional target area on the receiver unit allows the easy detection
A reference line on the reflector unit directly indicates the offset and of misalignment as well as its nature; whether it is horizontal, vertical,
vertical angle misalignment. The reflected laser line shown on the parallel or a combination of all three.
transmitter unit shows the horizontal angle misalignment of all three.
• Powerful magnets allow fast and easy attachment.
• Powerful magnets allow fast and easy attachment. • Three-dimensional target area simplifies the alignment process.
• Facilitates simultaneous adjustment of tension and alignment. • Facilitates simultaneous adjustment of tension and alignment.
• Can be used on almost all machines using V belts, banded belts, • V-guides facilitate the alignment of a wide range of V-belt pulleys.
ribbed belts and most other belts as well as chain sprockets. • Aligns grooves of a V-belt pulley rather than its face, allowing optimum
• SKF TKBA 10 utilises a red laser and can be used for distances alignment of pulleys of unequal width or with dissimilar faces.
up to 3 m (10 ft). • A maximum operating distance of 6 m (20 ft) accommodates many
• SKF TKBA 20 utilises a highly visible green laser and can be used applications.
for distances up to 6 m (20 ft). It can even be used outdoors • Special side adaptor allowing alignment of multi-ribbed and timing
in sunny conditions. belt pulleys as well as sprockets is available as accessory.
• Sturdy aluminium housings help ensure assembly stability and
accuracy during the alignment process.

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 Technical data
Designation TKBA 10 TKBA 20 TKBA 40
Type of laser Red laser diode Green laser diode Red laser diode
Laser 1™ Built-in class 2 laser, <1 mW, 635 nm 1™ Built-in class 2 laser, <1 mW, 532 nm 1™ Built-in class 2 laser, <1 mW, 632 nm
Laser line length 2 m at 2 m (6.6 ft at 6.6 ft) 2 m at 2 m (6.6 ft at 6.6 ft) 3 m at 2 m (9.8 ft at 6.6 ft)
Measurement accuracy angular Better than 0,02° at 2 m (6.6 ft) Better than 0,02° at 2 m (6.6 ft) Better than 0,2°
Measurement accuracy offset Better than 0,5 mm (0.02 in.) Better than 0,5 mm (0.02 in.) Better than 0,5 mm (0.02 in.)
Measurement distance 50 mm to 3 000 mm (2 in. to 10 ft) 50 mm to 6 000 mm (2 in. to 20 ft) 50 mm to 6 000 mm (2 in. to 20 ft)
Control Laser on/off rocker switch Laser on/off rocker switch Laser on/off switch
Housing material Aluminum, powder coat finish Aluminum, powder coat finish Extruded aluminium
Dimensions
Transmitter unit 169 ™ 51 ™ 37 mm (6.65 ™ 2.0 ™ 1.5 in.) 169 ™ 51 ™ 37 mm (6.65 ™ 2.0 ™ 1.5 in.) 70 ™ 74 ™ 61 mm (2.8 ™ 2.9 ™ 2.4 in.)
Receiver unit 169 ™ 51 ™ 37 mm (6.5 ™ 2.0 ™ 1.5 in.) 169 ™ 51 ™ 37 mm (6.5 ™ 2.0 ™ 1.5 in.) 96 ™ 74 ™ 61 mm (3.8 ™ 2.9 ™ 2.4 in.)
Reflector dimensions 22 ™ 32 mm (0.9 ™ 1.3 in.) 22 ™ 32 mm (0.9 ™ 1.3 in.) N/A
Weight
Transmitter unit 450 g (1.0 lbs) 450 g (1.0 lbs) 320 g (0.7 lbs)
Receiver unit 430 g (0.9 lbs) 430 g (0.9 lbs) 270 g (0.6 lbs)
Mounting Magnetic, side mounted Magnetic, side mounted Magnetic, groove mounted
(optional side adapter TMEB A2)
V-guides N/A N/A Size 1: 22 mm, short rods (3™ pairs)
Size 2: 22 mm, long rods (3™ pairs)
Size 3: 40 mm, short rods (3™ pairs)
Size 4: 40 mm, long rods (3™ pairs)
Battery 2™ AAA Alkaline type IEC LR03 2™ AAA Alkaline type IEC LR03 2™ AAA Alkaline type IEC LR03
Operation time 25 hours continuous operation 8 hours continuous operation 20 hours continuous operation
Carrying case dimensions 260 ™ 180 ™ 85 mm (10.2 ™ 7.1 ™ 3.3 in.) 260 ™ 180 ™ 85 mm (10.2 ™ 7.1 ™ 3.3 in.) 260 ™ 180 ™ 85 mm (10.2 ™ 7.1 ™ 3.3 in.)
Total weight (incl. case) 1,4 kg (3.1 lbs) 1,4 kg (3.1 lbs) 1,3 kg (2.9 lbs)
Operating temperature 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F) 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F) 0 to 40 °C (32 to 104 °F)
Storage temperature –20 to +60 °C (–4 to +140 °F) –20 to +60 °C (–4 to +140 °F) –20 to +65 °C (–4 to +150 °F)
Relative humidity 10 to 90% RH non-condensing 10 to 90% RH non-condensing 10 to 90% RH non-condensing
IP rating IP 40 IP 40 IP 40
Calibration certificate Valid for two years Valid for two years Valid for two years
Case contents 1™ TKBA 10 transmitter unit 1™ TKBA 20 transmitter unit 1™ TKBA 40 transmitter unit
1™ TKBA 10 receiver unit 1™ TKBA 20 receiver unit 1™ TKBA 40 receiver unit
2™ AAA batteries 2™ AAA batteries 2™ AA batteries
1™ Printed instructions for use 1™ Printed instructions for use 4™ sizes of V-guides, 3™ of each size
1™ Calibration certificate 1™ Calibration certificate 1™ Printed instructions for use
1™ Calibration certificate

Also available from SKF

SKF Belt Tension System SKF Belt Frequency Meter

For additional information, please refer to our publications 6804 EN (6702 EN) and 6479 EN or online at: www.skfptp.com

® SKF is a registered trademark of the SKF Group.

© SKF Group 2014
The contents of this publication are the copyright of the publisher and may not be reproduced (even extracts) unless prior written permission
is granted. Every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication but no liability can be accepted
for any loss or damage whether direct, indirect or consequential arising out of the use of the information contained herein.
PUB MP/P8 14173 EN · April 2014

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