Edge-Bonded Shims

SPIROL International Corp., Danielson, Connecticut

Precision shims are used as compensators to absorb tolerances between mating components. They significantly reduce manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for each component to be precision-machined in order to achieve the proper fit and function of the total assembly. During the assembly process, shims provide adjustment to compensate for accumulated tolerances that significantly reduces the need for re-machining and assembly time. Additionally, shims are commonly used to preserve the faces between mating components, cutting down the required machining time during rebuilds/retrofitting.

Surface-bonded shim packs are adhered throughout the entire surface between each layer of material.

Laminated shims have peelable layers of metal that are removed until the shim has the proper thickness. They are built up from layers of precision gauge metal foil. Layers are bonded into a rigid structure that appears and functions as a solid sheet or plate. Adjusting them is as easy as peeling off laminations with a knife, or in the case of some materials, using no tool at all. Rather than having to stack a number of individual shims, a single shim set can be adjusted to a desired thickness and slipped into position. In this way, variable close tolerances can be achieved, saving considerable time required to pick various different thicknesses of loose shims. The finished laminated shims withstand reasonable handling, including shearing and machining.

In addition to being fully laminated, laminated shims can also be partially solid and partially laminated. This type of shim is either half-solid or three-quarters solid, depending on the ratio of solid section to total thickness. Semi-solid shims add rigidity to a design by meeting the performance requirements of a thicker, solid shim as they provide a bearing surface on one side, yet allow adjustments to the overall thickness of the shim by enabling the user to peel off unwanted layers from the other side.

Surface-bonded laminated shim packs, simply referred to as laminated shims, are adhered throughout the entire surface between each layer of material. The layers are pressed together to cure, much like the way plywood is manufactured. The unwanted layers must be discarded due to their deformation during peeling.

The layers of an edge-bonded shim are first pressed together, and then adhered by only the edges of the shim’s profile. This allows for a much easier separation of the layers in the field.

The layers of an edge-bonded shim set are first pressed together, and then adhered by only the edges of the shim’s profile. This allows for a much easier separation of the layers in the field. Since edgebonded shim sets are easy to peel, the layers that are not needed are preserved, and can be used for a later application.

Edge-bonded shim sets have the performance and cost advantages of solid and loose shims, yet they provide a unique solution as a point-of-use adjustable shim set. Another advantage of edge-bonded shims is that multiple lamination thicknesses can be combined in the same stack, giving the customer more flexibility for adjustment. This is not an option for traditional laminated shims.

Edge-bonded shims also provide costsaving advantages over conventional laminated shims because the materials are less expensive. Edge-bonded shim packs offer safe adjustment in seconds, and are much easier to peel than surface-bonded laminates. Safety is improved because no knife is needed to remove the edge-bonded layers. The layers that are removed from the edge-bonded shim pack are reusable, functional parts since no deformation of the layers occurs during adjustment.

This work was done by Christie Jones of SPIROL International Corp. For more information, Click Here .