An Alignment Shim is a shim specifically used to:
- Raise or lower machines
- Achieve a smooth or level surface
- Compensate for soft foot on shafts
Slotted Shims are often used for shaft alignment. The slotted shim design allows you to insert, remove, and adjust without disassembling your machine. The design allows it to fit right around bolts. They typically align the vertical position of machinery.
Why Alignment Shims Are Important
Shims are maintenance personnel’s best weapon for battling misalignment and wear! Aligning machines is an important part of keeping production running smoothly. When preventative maintenance and alignment aren’t kept up with, it can cause:
- Leaking seals
- Increased vibration levels
- Bearing failure
- Shaft breakage
- Wear on machines
- Lost production time
- Quality issues
Having custom made shims for your machinery pays for itself through reduced costs for replacement parts and less production downtime. Up to 50% of damage to rotating machinery is directly related to misalignment, so having the right alignment shim on hand is important to avoid those pesky repair costs.
Why Order Custom Alignment Shims?
We all know that every machine is different and what works for one, may not work for another. Custom made alignment shims allow you to order exactly what you need for your machines. One benefit to ordering customized alignment shims is that you are able to customize quantities and thicknesses to your needs to reduce holding unnecessary inventory.
Common alignment shims are often referred to by their “type”:
Type A – (55mm x 50mm x 15mm)
Type B – (75mm x 70mm x 23mm)
Type C – (90mm x 80mm x 32mm)
Type D – (125mm x 105mm x 44mm)
However, at The Shim Shack, we understand that standard sizes don’t always work for your alignment needs. We understand how crucial it is to properly align to avoid the possibilities that misalignment can cause. Customizing your alignment shims is the best solution to the longevity of your machines.
While most alignment shims are made out of Stainless Steel, check out some other common materials and their properties that are used in alignment applications.
Have a material in mind that isn’t mentioned? Reach out to us here!
