Things You Should Know Before Buying Shim Washer
Shim washers or popularly known as shims are tiny pieces of hardware used in the industrial sector to serve the needs of various applications. They are widely used in industries like oil & gas, automobile, electrical, plumbing, etc. The washers may seem small but ensure the safe and efficient working of bigger applications. They are thin, spherical strips with a hole in the middle. Those are mainly used as spacers between two objects.
Their availability in different sizes allows them to fit correctly between two objects (threaded fasteners and mating surfaces) and reduces the wear & tear of aligned parts.
With the right type of washers, you can make a world of difference in a project. You can find vendors selling quality washers and get your requirements fulfilled. But with an entire pool of options, choosing the right washers may become a little perplexing. To help you out, here we are briefly explaining the different types of shim washers:
Edge Bonded or Adjustable Shims
Using these washers will help you reduce inaccuracies. They are known for their ability to fit into spaces that are specifically designed for adjustment purposes. The shims fit between a range of materials, objects, or surfaces and ensure their swift working. If you want flexible shims, then going for adjustable or edge bonded shims will be your best decision.
Traditional Shims
These shims are made of thin pieces of metal and fill the excess gap between two objects. They are used in assembling projects and can also be customized according to specific requirements of different industries. Make sure that while buying these washers, you have your requirements clear in your mind so that you don’t have to change them after some time. You can get them in specific lengths, breadths, and thicknesses to ensure the success of your project.
Peelable Shims
The washers have multiple flat layers with three-dimensional structuring joined together. They are designed brilliantly that even if there is a need to modify the thickness, you can do it by removing the extra layers to achieve the right thickness.
Tapered Shims
Tapered shim stock washers are used to tighten the assembly of the parts. They are made of plastic so that they can prevent moisture, rust, and corrosion. These washers serve their purpose in aligning doors, windows, and cabinets.
Things you should know about Shim Washers
Shims are indispensable pieces of hardware that are used in various manufacturing industries. You can get them in different sizes, finishes, shapes, and designs and even have the option to customize them to meet the exact needs of your production unit. But getting the right washers is not as easy as it seems. There are certain factors you need to consider to get the right ones.
To make the task easier for you, here we are mentioning a few things you should know about shim washers:
Level surface
The washers level the mating surface to ensure a perfect fit of threaded fasteners. That’s what makes them the best choice for applications in construction and manufacturing jobs. They are available in diverse sizes, thicknesses, materials, finishes, and designs. If you want them in any particular specification, you can go for their customization.
Act as spacers
The shims are used in industries like automobiles to fill spaces and gaps between two objects. They aid in clearance and fill gaps between multiple parts.
Decrease damage
With these washers, you can dampen the vibrations a machine causes while operating. This will reduce friction and wear between parts. This feature of washers makes them a go-to option in the manufacturing of automobile parts.
Versatility
You can get shim washers from simple to complex designs and also in different materials like wood, steel, brass, bronze, stainless steel, copper, PTFE, nylon, and mylar. No matter what manufacturing job you perform, you can easily get these washers in a material that suits your application requirements.
Customization is always possible
As mentioned before as well, these washers can be customized as per your production application requirements. If you fail to find shims in the right thickness or size, You can get them customized as per your requirements.
Conclusion
When you are considering buying shim washers for meeting your project requirements, keep the above-mentioned factors in mind. Mainly there are three things you must emphasize: shape, size, and thickness. The shape required will depend upon the function of the shim; the size will be based on the application to be performed, while the thickness will be based on the area of the space the shim will fill.
If we talk about the material, it will depend on the material used for the nearby pieces. Other things like durability and the environment. Where the shim will be used should also be kept in mind.
We hope that this post has helped you know things required to make an effective choice while buying shim washers.
