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The advantages of using edge bonded shims

Using shims can help to reduce assembly times and eliminate subsequent machining requirements. The experts at Spirol guide us through the different types available and their benefits.

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 or retrofitting.

Laminated shims have peelable layers of metal which 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 appear and function 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 the 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. This provides cost savings by reducing assembly time, and also minimises line side SKUs and related inven-tory storage space. The fin-ished laminated shims withstand reasonable handling, including shearing and machining.

In addition to being fully laminated, these laminated shims can also be partially solid and partially laminated. This type of shim is either half-solid or three-quarter 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.

There are two styles of laminated shims – surface bonded laminated shims and edge bonded shims. Surface bonded laminated shim packs, simply referred to in the industry as ‘laminated shims’, are adhered throughout the entire surface between each layer of material and the layers are pressed together to cure much like how plywood is manufactured. The unwanted layers must be discarded due to their deformation during peeling.

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 edge bonded 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 all the performance and cost advantages of solid and loose shims, yet they provide a unique solution for companies seeking a better 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 cost saving 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. Cost savings can also be realised because the layers that are removed from the edge bonded shim pack are reusable, functional parts since no deformation of the layers occur during adjustment.

We can see, then, that both types of laminated shims, whether surface bonded and edge bonded, offer the advantages of reducing assembly time, taking up less inventory storage space, and reducing the number of line side SKUs. However, when speed of adjustment, operator safety and minimising your overall cost of assembly are your primary objectives, edge bonded shims provide the best solution.

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