Helpful Tips on Ordering Shims

When you are assembling a machine and need parts, you want to get the best parts you can for the money that will be expended. There may be ball bearings, bearings, hydraulics, gears, housings, intakes, belts, cams, sleeves, skirts, shafts, seals, regulators, timers, wires, valves, sprockets, spindles, stabilizers, pinions, rams, shafts, ratchets, pistons, nuts, bolts, washers, and shims, to name some of the many parts that you will find in any machine.

A shim is usually a very small part of the machine but has a very important job. Shims that are used in the manufacturing industry are also known as spacers. They are usually thin and have a uniform thickness, but can also be tapered if the application calls for it. Their overall thickness is dictated by the gap or space they need to fill. Shims are used to fill in gaps or spaces between two components that interface with each other, and they prolong the life of the components and make it possible for the machine to work longer and more efficiently. A shim is a very cheap component that can be sacrificed to keep other components working optimally.

Shims are considered compensators when they make up for the tolerances between two interfacing components. When all the parts of a machine work smoothly together, the machine will last longer and need fewer repairs. This little part helps all the various parts of the machine fit and function more efficiently. A shim will keep the faces of interfacing materials from becoming distorted, thus cutting down on the time needed to replace worn out or damaged parts. A shim pack consists of multiple shims that are tied together. The shims in a shim pack can be different thicknesses and also made of different materials for different types of applications.

Shims can be made out of many types of materials which include lead, copper, carbon steel, steel, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, and laminates. Our experts can help you determine which type of material would best fit your needs based on the materials the shim will be interfacing with, the application of the part, and the environment the shim will be subjected to. An environment that exposes the shim to corrosive elements, salt, and moisture will call for a particular kind of finish for the shim. We have adjustable shims, shims that are resistant to corrosion, custom shims, die cut shims, laser cut shims, gearbox shims, laminated shims, compressor shims, valve shims, and peelable shims, as well as other types.

When working with a shim manufacturer, you need to know the specifications of the machine you need the shims for. It will also be very helpful to you, and to the person in customer service you are placing your order with, to know and understand the language of the industry. Materials and the industries the parts are used in are evolving all the time. The manufacturer you talk with will have the latest information on the most current materials and parts to be able to make the best recommendations for your specific application.