Can UNI-T LM320E Be Used for Machinery Installation and Levelling Malaysia

Can UNI-T LM320E Be Used for Machinery Installation and Levelling Malaysia

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Published: 3 October 2026

The UNI-T LM320E Digital Angle Meter can assist with general machinery installation, inclination checking and equipment-frame adjustment.

It provides:

4 × 90° angle measurement

Absolute and relative measurement

Degrees, percentage, mm/m and in/ft units

Two laser reference lines

Bottom and rear magnetic mounting

A rotating colour display

These functions make it useful for maintenance teams, machinery installers and fabrication contractors.

However, the LM320E is not a precision shaft-alignment system.

Its suitability depends on the machinery, installation tolerance and reference surface.

What Can the LM320E Check on Machinery?

The LM320E may be used to check the angle or inclination of:

Machine frames

Equipment bases

Metal supports

Mounting plates

Machine guards

Inclined panels

Conveyor structures

Adjustment brackets

Fabricated platforms

External machine components

The contact surface must be sufficiently flat and representative of the component being inspected.

A reading taken from an unrelated cover or uneven painted surface may not represent the actual machine position.

Can the LM320E Level a Machine?

The LM320E can help determine whether a suitable machine surface is level.

A basic procedure may include:

Identify the approved reference surface.

Clean the surface and magnetic base.

Place the LM320E in the first direction.

Allow the reading to stabilise.

Record the result.

Rotate the meter by 90° to check the second direction.

Adjust the machine feet or supports.

Repeat the measurements.

Tighten the mounting hardware.

Perform a final check after tightening.

This method may support general equipment installation.

For machinery requiring very tight levelling tolerances, use the instrument and procedure specified by the machine manufacturer.

Why Must the Machine Be Checked in Two Directions?

A machine may be level from left to right but inclined from front to rear.

Checking only one direction can miss:

Side-to-side tilt

Front-to-back tilt

Twisted support conditions

Uneven machine feet

Baseplate distortion

Measure along two perpendicular directions whenever the installation procedure requires overall levelling.

For a large machine, several positions may also need to be checked.

Choosing the Correct Reference Surface

The measurement result is only meaningful when the LM320E is placed on a suitable reference surface.

A suitable surface should be:

Flat

Clean

Stable

Accessible

Rigid

Relevant to the machine geometry

Free from excessive paint buildup

Free from burrs and damage

Possible reference surfaces may include:

A machined machine base

An approved mounting plate

A flat frame member

A manufacturer-designated levelling point

A verified fixture attached to the machine

Do not assume that every machine cover, guard or external panel is parallel to the equipment base.

Check the machinery manual or installation drawing before choosing the measurement location.

Using Absolute-Angle Mode

Absolute mode shows the LM320E angle according to its normal reference.

It may be used when:

Checking whether a machine base is level

Measuring an inclined machine frame

Confirming the angle of a support

Following an angle stated in the installation drawing

Recording the actual inclination

The displayed unit must match the installation requirement.

A specification of 0.2° is not the same as 0.2%.

Using Relative-Angle Mode

Relative mode allows the current position to be established as zero.

It may be useful when:

Comparing two machine components

Matching one support to another

Copying an approved frame angle

Checking deviation from an existing reference

Installing repeated machinery brackets

The selected reference must be confirmed before relative mode is activated.

If the original reference is incorrect, every comparison based on it may also be incorrect.

Using the Magnetic Base on Machinery

The LM320E has magnetic surfaces on the bottom and rear.

This allows it to attach to suitable steel machine components.

Magnetic mounting may help when:

Checking a vertical machine frame

Adjusting an inclined steel support

Working on a steel mounting plate

Inspecting the side of equipment

Keeping both hands available for adjustment

Before attaching the instrument:

Clean the machine surface

Remove metal particles from the LM320E

Check for heavy paint or rust

Confirm that the magnet holds securely

Make sure the instrument does not slide

Keep the meter away from moving parts

Do not leave the LM320E attached to equipment that may start, vibrate or move unexpectedly.

Using the Dual Laser Lines During Installation

The two laser lines can extend a visible reference beyond the LM320E body.

They may assist with:

Aligning nearby brackets

Following the direction of an inclined frame

Positioning an external support

Transferring an angle

Comparing installation points

The laser lines do not measure the angle independently.

The angle value comes from the internal sensor.

The instrument must be correctly positioned before the laser reference is used.

The lasers should not be treated as a substitute for a precision alignment system.

Can the LM320E Align a Motor and Pump?

The LM320E should not be used as the only instrument for precision motor-to-pump shaft alignment.

Motor and pump alignment may require checking:

Angular misalignment

Parallel offset

Vertical offset

Horizontal offset

Soft foot

Thermal growth

Coupling condition

Shaft runout

A digital angle meter does not measure all these conditions.

Depending on the machinery and required tolerance, alignment may require:

A laser shaft-alignment system

Dial indicators

Feeler gauges

Precision levels

Straightedges

Manufacturer-approved fixtures

The LM320E may assist with general frame or base checking, but it does not replace the required shaft-alignment method.

Can the LM320E Check Soft Foot?

Soft foot occurs when one or more machine feet do not sit correctly on the base.

Possible signs include:

The frame moves when bolts are tightened

One foot has a visible gap

Measurements change after tightening

The machine appears twisted

Alignment changes repeatedly

The LM320E may reveal a change in frame angle during bolt tightening, but it cannot fully diagnose or quantify every soft-foot condition.

A proper soft-foot inspection may require:

Feeler gauges

Dial indicators

A laser alignment system

Specified tightening sequences

Machine-manufacturer procedures

Do not approve a machine installation using only an angle reading when soft foot is suspected.

Can the LM320E Level a Conveyor?

The LM320E may assist with general conveyor installation when the user needs to check:

Frame inclination

Support angles

Conveyor slope

Bracket positioning

Side-frame consistency

Inclined sections

Take measurements at several locations.

A correct reading at one support does not confirm that the full conveyor structure is straight or uniformly inclined.

Long conveyor systems may also require:

Surveying equipment

Laser alignment tools

String-line methods

Elevation measurements

Specialised installation fixtures

The instrument should be selected according to the conveyor length and permitted tolerance.

Can the LM320E Check Machine-Guard Angles?

The LM320E may be useful for positioning:

Safety guards

Access panels

Covers

Support arms

External brackets

Inspection doors

These applications normally involve general fabrication and installation rather than precision machine geometry.

The magnetic base can be convenient on steel guards and frames.

Before final tightening, confirm that the guard also meets clearance and safety requirements.

Checking Machine Supports and Frames

A machine support may appear level while individual sections are twisted or uneven.

For better assessment:

Measure at several points

Use the same instrument orientation

Mark each measurement location

Record the selected unit

Repeat the readings

Compare opposite sides

Recheck after tightening

If readings differ significantly across the frame, investigate:

Surface irregularity

Fabrication error

Uneven support conditions

Baseplate distortion

Incorrect shimming

Loose fasteners

Do not average inconsistent readings until the cause has been understood.

How to Check a Machine Base Before Installation

Before placing the machine on the base:

Inspect the foundation or mounting frame.

Remove dirt, welding debris and loose material.

Identify the approved reference points.

Check the base in two directions.

Compare several positions.

Record the readings.

Correct unacceptable conditions.

Repeat the inspection after correction.

A level machine cannot be achieved reliably on an unsuitable or unstable base.

The installation team should resolve the base condition before final machinery positioning.

How to Recheck After Tightening

Tightening anchor bolts or mounting bolts may change the machine position.

After tightening:

Measure the original reference points again

Use the same instrument orientation

Confirm the same measurement unit

Compare the results with the earlier readings

Check the machine in both directions

Look for frame movement or twisting

If the results change beyond the permitted tolerance, investigate the support, shims, bolt sequence and base condition.

Do not assume that the machine remains level after the bolts are tightened.

Vibration During Measurement

A vibrating machine can cause unstable readings.

Do not measure on operating equipment unless the procedure specifically permits it and all safety requirements are met.

Vibration may make it difficult to obtain a repeatable result.

It may also expose the operator and instrument to:

Moving components

Rotating shafts

Hot surfaces

Electrical hazards

Falling objects

Unexpected machine movement

Where possible, isolate and secure the machinery according to the site’s approved safety procedure before measurement.

Temperature and Machinery Installation

Machinery dimensions and alignment can change with temperature.

Possible influences include:

Hot equipment cooling after shutdown

Ambient-temperature changes

Thermal expansion of long frames

Process heat

Sunlight on outdoor machinery

Foundation-temperature differences

The LM320E measures the angle at the time of inspection.

It does not automatically compensate for thermal growth or predict the operating position of the machine.

Follow the machinery manufacturer’s cold-alignment and thermal-offset requirements where applicable.

LM320E Angle Accuracy and Installation Tolerance

The LM320E has a stated angle accuracy of ±0.2°.

Before using it for machinery installation, compare this accuracy with the required tolerance.

The instrument may be suitable for:

General frame positioning

Support-angle checking

Inclined panel installation

Guard and bracket adjustment

Basic equipment levelling

It may be unsuitable for:

Precision machine levelling

Machine-tool geometry inspection

Spindle alignment

Shaft alignment

High-accuracy base installation

Applications with tolerances tighter than the instrument specification

A digital display with two decimal places does not mean that the measurement accuracy is equal to the last displayed digit.

Resolution and accuracy are not the same.

Common Machinery-Installation Mistakes

Common mistakes include:

Measuring from an unsuitable machine cover

Using only one measurement direction

Ignoring dirt under the instrument

Leaving metal particles on the magnetic base

Confusing degrees with percentage

Using relative mode without confirming the reference

Adjusting the machine before the base is checked

Failing to recheck after bolt tightening

Measuring while the equipment is vibrating

Treating the LM320E as a shaft-alignment tool

Assuming a stable display guarantees sufficient accuracy

The installation method should be based on the required tolerance and machinery-manufacturer instructions.

How to Record Machinery Angle Measurements

A useful measurement record may include:

Machine identification

Measurement location

Date and time

Instrument model

Selected unit

Absolute or relative mode

Initial reading

Final reading

Adjustment made

Bolt condition

Operator name

Acceptance tolerance

Marking the measurement locations helps another technician repeat the inspection later.

Consistent records are especially useful for installation, commissioning and maintenance comparisons.

When Should You Use Another Instrument?

Consider another instrument or method when:

The required tolerance is tighter than ±0.2°

Precision shaft alignment is required

Machine-tool geometry must be checked

Elevation must be transferred over a long distance

The reference surface is too small or irregular

The equipment manufacturer specifies another instrument

A documented calibration result is required

The machine must be aligned under operating conditions

The LM320E can support general installation work, but it should not be used beyond its intended measurement capability.

Who Can Use the LM320E for Machinery Work?

The LM320E may be useful for:

Machinery installers

Factory maintenance teams

Mechanical contractors

Equipment fabricators

Conveyor installers

Steel-structure contractors

Building-services teams

Technical training centres

General industrial workshops

Factories and contractors in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang should compare the instrument specification with the machinery-installation tolerance before purchase.

For application advice, send MTM Precision a clear photo of the machine, intended measurement surface and required installation tolerance.

MTM Precision Sdn Bhd

Showroom & Service Centre: No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18, Pusat Bandar Puchong, 47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia

Tel: 03-8080 7172

WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346

Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com

Website: www.mtmpre.com.my