How can you identify if a machine has a soft foot?

Identifying a machine with a soft foot is effectively done by using feeler gauges to check for gaps under the machine feet. A soft foot condition occurs when one or more of the machine's feet are not making full contact with the base or foundation, which can lead to misalignment, excessive wear, and operational inefficiencies.

When feeler gauges are inserted under the feet of the machine, any gaps that are detected indicate that the foot is not level or making proper contact, thus diagnosing the soft foot condition. This method allows for precise measurement and is a widely accepted practice in alignment procedures.

Visual inspection can often miss subtle issues related to soft foot, while measuring voltage and performing vibration analysis are more suited for assessing other machine characteristics rather than directly identifying foot contact. Thus, using feeler gauges is a straightforward and reliable approach in confirming the presence of a soft foot, making it the most accurate method among the options provided.