How Custom Manufacturing Helps OEMs and Industrial Facilities Reduce Lead Times
Steel and metal shims are used in thousands of industrial applications, from machinery alignment and equipment assembly to OEM production and custom tooling. While standard shim sizes meet many maintenance needs, manufacturers and equipment builders often require custom solutions designed for a specific application.
That’s where a manufacturing partner matters.
Artus Corporation specializes in custom steel and metal shims, helping customers move from a drawing or concept to finished parts quickly. Whether you need prototypes, production quantities, or custom shim kits, the right manufacturing capabilities can reduce lead times, improve assembly efficiency, and ensure every shim meets your exact specifications.
When Are Custom Metal Shims Needed?
Standard shims are ideal for routine maintenance, but many applications require dimensions or features that are unique to the equipment.
Custom steel and metal shims are commonly used for:
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- OEM equipment assembly
- Machinery manufacturing
- Custom machine builds
- Equipment retrofits
- Prototype development
- Production tooling
- Specialized maintenance applications
If a standard shim doesn’t fit the application, a custom-designed shim can provide the exact geometry required without additional machining or modification.
What Can Be Customized?
Custom shims can be manufactured in a wide variety of configurations to meet application requirements.
Common customization options include:
1. Material Selection
Depending on the application, shims can be manufactured from:
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- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Plastic
- Other specialty materials
Material selection depends on factors such as corrosion resistance, strength, weight, operating environment, and application requirements.
2. Thickness
Precision thickness options allow customers to achieve exact spacing and alignment requirements without unnecessary stacking.
3. Shape and Size
Custom shims can be produced in virtually any profile, including:
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- Round
- Square
- Rectangular
- Slotted
- Multi-hole
- Complex custom geometries
4. Features
Additional features may include:
- Mounting holes
- Slots
- Identification markings
- Custom cutouts
- Part numbering
Can You Manufacture Shims from a CAD Drawing?
Yes.
One of the fastest ways to produce a custom shim is by providing a CAD file or engineering drawing.
Artus works with customer-provided drawings to manufacture parts that match the required dimensions and tolerances, reducing the need for additional design work and helping projects move into production faster.
Even if a finished drawing is not available, a sample part or dimensional sketch can often be used to begin the manufacturing process.
Precision Cutting Capabilities Matter
The quality of a shim depends on how accurately it is manufactured.
Precision cutting helps ensure:
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- consistent dimensions
- repeatable tolerances
- clean edges
- accurate hole placement
- reliable fit during assembly
For OEMs and industrial manufacturers, consistent part quality reduces assembly issues and minimizes production delays.
Why OEMs Choose Custom Pre-Cut Shims
Many OEMs use pre-cut custom shims during equipment assembly because they improve both production speed and consistency.
Instead of cutting shim stock manually during assembly, production teams can install ready-to-use shims that meet exact specifications.
Benefits include:
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- Faster assembly times
- Consistent dimensions across every unit
- Reduced labor during production
- Simplified inventory management
- Improved repeatability at scale
For high-volume manufacturing, pre-cut shims help streamline assembly while maintaining precision.
How Custom Manufacturing Helps Reduce Lead Times
Waiting for a custom component can delay an entire project.
Working with a manufacturer that specializes in custom shim production helps reduce lead times by:
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- Manufacturing from existing drawings
- Producing prototypes before full production
- Supporting low- and high-volume orders
- Simplifying repeat orders
- Providing consistent manufacturing processes
Having a trusted manufacturing partner means projects move from design to production more efficiently.
What Information Is Needed to Request a Quote?
To provide an accurate quote for custom steel or metal shims, it helps to include:
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- Material type
- Thickness
- Dimensions
- Quantity
- CAD file or drawing (if available)
- Application details
- Required delivery timeline
Providing this information early helps speed up the quoting and production process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can custom metal shims be made in small quantities?
Yes. Depending on the application, custom shims can often be manufactured for prototypes, replacement parts, or production runs.
Can I send a sample instead of a drawing?
Yes. In many cases, a sample part or simple dimensional sketch can be used to create a custom shim.
What industries use custom steel shims?
Custom shims are used across a wide range of industries, including:
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- OEM manufacturing
- Industrial machinery
- Automation
- Packaging
- Material handling
- Food processing
- Converting and slitting
- General manufacturing
Why choose pre-cut shims instead of shim stock?
Pre-cut shims reduce assembly time, improve consistency, and eliminate the need to cut shim stock during production or installation.
The Artus Corporation
Artus Corporation works with customers to manufacture custom steel and metal shims that match specific application needs. From prototypes to production quantities, our precision cutting capabilities help deliver parts with the accuracy, consistency, and turnaround industrial manufacturers expect.
Whether you’re building new equipment, improving an existing design, or supporting ongoing production, Artus can help you move from concept to finished parts with confidence.
Order Online today. For personalized assistance, call us at (201) 568-1000 or complete our RFQ form below.