How to Select the Right Shim Solution for Industrial Machinery and Precision Adjustments
In industrial maintenance and machinery setup, precision adjustments are only as reliable as the materials used to make them.
Whether aligning motors, adjusting tooling, leveling equipment, or correcting spacing, maintenance teams often choose between two common solutions:
Both serve important roles in industrial applications, but selecting the right option can improve setup speed, consistency, and long-term reliability.
This guide explains the differences between shim stock and pre-cut shims, when to use each, and how industrial facilities can standardize shim selection for more efficient maintenance operations.
What Is Shim Stock?
Shim stock is precision material supplied in sheets, rolls, or strips that can be cut to the exact shape and size needed for an application.
Common shim stock materials include:
Shim stock is widely used when technicians need flexibility for custom adjustments or non-standard equipment configurations.
What Are Pre-Cut Shims?
Pre-cut shims are manufactured in standardized shapes and sizes for immediate use in machinery alignment and setup applications.
Examples include:
Pre-cut shims are designed to reduce setup time and improve consistency during maintenance work.
Shim Stock vs. Pre-Cut Shims: What’s the Difference?
The main difference comes down to:
Flexibility vs. Speed
Shim Stock
Best when:
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- custom sizes are required
- irregular shapes are needed
- technicians must create unique adjustments onsite
Advantages:
-
- customizable dimensions
- flexible material selection
- useful for specialized applications
Considerations:
-
- requires cutting and measuring
- can increase setup time
- consistency depends on technician preparation
Pre-Cut Shims
Best when:
-
- performing repeatable maintenance tasks
- aligning motors or machinery
- standardizing maintenance procedures
Advantages:
-
- ready to install
- faster setup
- consistent dimensions
- easier inventory management
Considerations:
-
- less customizable for unique applications
When to Use Pre-Cut Shims
Pre-cut shims are ideal for standardized maintenance and alignment work, especially in environments where speed, repeatability, and high-volume usage are important.
Common applications include:
Used to correct vertical alignment and eliminate soft foot conditions.
Provides fast, repeatable equipment leveling.
Improves consistency across multiple technicians and shifts.
Supports repeatable spacing adjustments during tooling assembly.
OEM Equipment Assembly
Many OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) rely on pre-cut shims during equipment assembly because installation speed, consistency, and quantity are critical during production.
Instead of measuring and cutting shim stock manually, OEM assembly teams use standardized pre-cut shims to:
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- speed up assembly operations
- maintain consistent tolerances
- simplify production workflows
- reduce variability between units
- improve repeatability at scale
For OEM manufacturing environments, pre-cut shims help support efficient high-volume production.
Pre-cut shims simplify repetitive maintenance procedures and reduce installation variability.
When to Use Shim Stock
Shim stock is commonly used when flexibility matters more than installation speed.
Typical applications include:
Custom Machinery Repairs
Used when standard shim sizes do not fit the equipment.
Tooling and Fabrication
Allows technicians to create custom spacing adjustments.
Prototype or Specialty Equipment
Useful for non-standard machinery configurations.
Precision Fit Adjustments
Allows exact trimming and shaping onsite.
For facilities with varied equipment types, shim stock provides maximum adaptability.
Why Many Facilities Use Both
Many industrial operations maintain both:
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- shim stock for custom work
- pre-cut shims for routine maintenance
This combination allows maintenance teams to respond quickly while still handling specialized applications when needed.
Facilities often standardize:
-
- pre-cut shim kits for common repairs
- shim stock inventory for custom adjustments
This approach improves both efficiency and flexibility.
The Role of Stainless Steel Shim Stock
Among shim materials, stainless steel shim stock remains one of the most commonly used options for industrial machinery.
Benefits include:
-
- corrosion resistance
- dimensional stability
- long-term durability
- resistance to oils and moisture
Stainless steel shim stock is especially common in:
-
- machinery alignment
- industrial maintenance
- tooling setup
- washdown environments
For many facilities, stainless steel provides the best balance of strength and longevity.
Why Color-Coded Shims Improve Maintenance Efficiency
Many maintenance teams now use color-coded pre-cut shims to improve speed and consistency.
Benefits include:
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- instant thickness identification
- faster setup adjustments
- reduced shim selection errors
- improved repeatability between technicians
Artus’ color-coded system helps standardize maintenance processes across facilities.
Best Practices for Selecting Industrial Shims
When choosing between shim stock and pre-cut shims, consider:
Use Shim Stock When:
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- custom cutting is required
- equipment dimensions vary
- specialized adjustments are common
Use Pre-Cut Shims When:
-
- speed matters
- repeatability is important
- performing routine alignment work
In All Cases:
-
- keep shim surfaces clean and flat
- minimize excessive shim stacking
- organize shim inventory clearly
- document shim thicknesses during maintenance
Consistent shim practices improve reliability and reduce setup errors.
The Artus Corporation
Artus Corporation manufactures precision stainless steel shim stock, motor mount shims, slotted shims, color-coded shims, and shim kits designed to support accurate alignment, reliable spacing, and repeatable maintenance performance across industrial applications.
Order Online today. For personalized assistance, call us at (201) 568-1000 or complete our RFQ form below.