Shim stocks, also called shims or spacers, are thin rolls or flat pieces of materials designed to fill gaps or spaces between objects to achieve proper alignment, spacing, or levelling. A shim stock is a metallic sheet or foil that comes in varied thickness ranges and finds versatile applications in manufacturing, designing, and maintenance tasks. These spacers are crafted from rugged and durable materials, including steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, brass, bronze, and titanium. Moreover, shims of plastic or rubber of different sizes and shapes are also available and allow customisation options to meet requirements for specific applications. Additionally, shim stocks can be custom-cut using scissors or metal shears easily.
Advantages of Shim Stock
Shim stocks offer unparalleled benefits in various aspects, such as:
- Shim stocks are made of durable materials with resistance features, ensuring longevity.
- They are lightweight and easy to install.
- Reusable and resistant to wear and tear.
- Allow customisation options for different requirements.
- Cost-effective, versatile, and safe.
Popular Types of Shim Stock
Shim stocks are classified into various types based on their materials, including:
- Steel Shim Stock – These metallic shims are made of steel that resists corrosion with excellent mechanical properties. Steel shims are incredibly durable, making them ideal for machinery, construction, and industrial facilities.
- Plastic Shim Stocks – These plastic shims are lightweight, waterproof, durable, and resist moisture and chemicals. Plastic shim stocks come in various colours and thicknesses and are ideal for outdoor applications.
- Brass Shim Stock – Brass shims are soft spacers with antimicrobial, electrically conductive, and low-friction properties. These shims are known for their excellent malleability and corrosion resistance, making them ideal for medical and food industries or scenarios where sterilisation or electrical conductivity is paramount.
- Horseshoe Shim Stocks – These are U-shaped shims designed to insert across bolts or other obstructions easily. They are typically made of plastic, metal, or rubber and are commonly used in construction, woodworking, and structural applications.
- Pre-cut or Custom Shims – These shims can be custom-made to fit specific requirements and are available as pre-cut shims in different sizes and dimensions.
- Shim Kits – Shims are available in kits that include different shims in varied sizes. Shim kits organise different components required for levelling, spacing, and aligning various objects, allowing convenience and safety, and reducing time and effort.
Typical Applications of Shim Stock
Shim stock finds applications in a broad range of industries, including:
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Automotive
- Metalworking & Woodworking
- Plumbing
- Medical Equipment
- Packaging Machinery
- Electronics
- Power Generation
- HVAC Systems.
