Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) Practice Test

When performing the final alignment of horizontally mounted machines, shimming first and then making a horizontal move is the best approach. This method allows for a more precise alignment by ensuring that the machine is level and properly supported before making any adjustments.

Shimming involves placing thin, flat pieces of material under the machine's feet to raise it to the desired height, helping to fill gaps that may exist due to uneven surfaces that can hinder proper alignment. By starting with shimming, you effectively create a stable baseline. After achieving this level position, making horizontal adjustments becomes much more straightforward and effective because the machine now has a solid foundation. This minimizes the risk of misalignment due to movement during the adjustment process.

Other methods, such as making horizontal moves first, can lead to complications. If the machine is not adequately shimmed, making horizontal adjustments could result in a misalignment or unstable positioning, requiring repeated corrections. Adjusting foot bolts before shimming could also lead to instability and complications in the alignment process, as changes in bolt tension can shift the alignment. Lastly, performing vertical alignment before addressing horizontal alignment can complicate matters, as both axes might need simultaneous adjustments to ensure the machine operates optimally without any undue stress on the components involved.

Overall, beginning