Shims Manufacturer and Custom Metal Shim Stock
Kalpataru Piping Solution manufactures and supplies metal shims for precision alignment, leveling, spacing, and positioning requirements in industrial equipment and structural assemblies. Our product range covers stainless steel shims, brass shims, copper shims, industrial shims, shim stock, shim sheets, alignment shims, precut shims, and laminated shims, available in standard as well as application-specific configurations.
We provide shims made of stainless steel 304/304L and 316/316L shims, as well as brass and copper shims for engineering and machinery applications. These precision parts function with equipment like compressors, pumps, motors, dies, bases, etc., where lay and spacing is critical for performance. Shims can be manufactured depending on the specific classifier, dimension, shape, and thickness of each project as per requirements.
We focus on consistent dimensions, precise cutting, and dependable industrial supply. Customers can specify the required material, thickness, dimensions, and quantity when ordering custom metal shims or standard shim stock. We serve industrial customers across India and international markets with product solutions tailored to their technical and application requirements.
Shim Materials
Material comes first, chosen for what the shim actually has to survive — moisture, load, or an electrical connection. Here’s how we usually see it break down:
Material | Why Choose It | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
Stainless Steel (304/304L) | Good general corrosion resistance and strength at a reasonable cost | Standard machinery alignment, dry or indoor environments |
Stainless Steel (316/316L) | Better resistance to chlorides and moisture than 304 | Coastal plants, wet locations, marine equipment |
Brass | Non-sparking, corrosion resistant, easy to cut cleanly | Electrical enclosures, general-purpose shimming |
Copper | High conductivity, soft enough for fine adjustment | Electrical bonding, precision shimming |
For the stainless range specifically, we cut Stainless Steel 304/304L Shims and Stainless Steel 316/316L Shims to size, both backed by a material test certificate when the grade actually matters to your application.
Our Shims Products List
Materials Compared in Depth
Property | SS 304/304L | SS 316/316L | Brass (CuZn37) | Copper (C11000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Corrosion Resistance | Good, general purpose | Better, handles chlorides | Good, non-marine | Moderate, oxidises over time |
Max Hardness | 92 HRB | 95 HRB | 55–85 HRB | 40–60 HRB |
Conductivity | Low | Low | Moderate | High |
Typical Environment | Dry, indoor | Wet, coastal, chemical | Electrical enclosures | Electrical bonding |
Relative Cost | Moderate | Higher | Moderate | Moderate to higher |
Shim Types
Stainless Steel Shims
Monel Shims
Inconel Shims
Duplex Shims
Copper Shims
Brass Shims
Type | What It Is | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Precision shims cut to a specific size to align and level machinery | Motor, pump, coupling and bearing alignment | |
Ready-made shims in standard sizes, often sold as kits | Routine work, stock on hand for quick fixes | |
Laminated / Peelable Shims | Bonded layers that peel off one at a time to reach a target thickness | Fine on-site adjustment when the exact gap isn’t known upfront |
Most workshops end up using both — custom Alignment Shims for the odd sizes a job throws up, and Precut Shims kits kept on the shelf for the routine stuff that comes up every week.
Shim Technical Specifications
| Specification | Available Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Standards | ASTM A240, ASTM A167, IS 6911, ASTM B36 and ASTM B152 |
| Available Materials | SS 304, 316, 316L and 321; Brass CuZn37; Copper C11000 |
| Shim Thickness | 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm; alignment shims available up to 3.0 mm on request |
| Dimensional Tolerance | Standard tolerance of ±0.005 mm; closer tolerances can be supplied as required |
| Width / Outside Diameter | Manufactured according to customer drawings, specifications or available standard pre-cut dimensions |
| Supply Forms | Shim sheets, strips, coils, pre-cut shims and laminated packs |
| Surface Options | 2B, BA, bright annealed, pickled and polished finishes |
| Length / Cutting | Standard sheet lengths, customer-specific cut lengths and coil supply |
| Hardness | Grade-dependent; SS 304 up to 92 HRB and brass approximately 55–85 HRB |
| Customization | Custom thickness, dimensions, shapes and configurations available based on application requirements |
Where Shims Are Used
Shims close the small gap that brings a machine into true. That sounds simple, but the specific jobs vary quite a bit:
- motor and pump alignment — correcting soft foot and vertical offset before startup vibration becomes a bearing problem
- coupling and shaft alignment using slotted shims that go in without full disassembly
- bearing and housing spacing where a fraction of a millimetre changes the load path
- base-plate and skid leveling during initial equipment installation
- die-set and tooling setup in stamping and press work, where consistent height matters more than most people expect
- power generation and structural installations, positioning heavy equipment and compensating for thermal expansion
- automotive and aerospace assemblies, where tolerance control affects fit in engine components and airframe structures
- general maintenance and field repair — recalibrating alignment after a machine’s been running a few years
A Closer Look at the Most Common Applications
- Machinery Alignment: this is the bulk of what we cut. Pumps, motors, turbines, compressors, gearboxes — anywhere rotating equipment needs precise leveling to reduce vibration and mechanical stress. Get the shim thickness wrong by even a fraction of a millimetre and the vibration signature shows up within days of startup.
- Tool and Die Setup: stamping, molding, and press tools rely on exact die height and parallelism for consistent output. A shim that’s slightly off here doesn’t just affect one part — it affects every part that comes off that press until someone catches it.
- Structural and Construction Work: base plate alignment, column leveling, and heavy equipment installation in civil and structural projects. These shims tend to be thicker and see more static load than the ones used in rotating machinery.
- Power Generation and Petrochemical Plants: accurate equipment positioning, flange alignment, and compensating for thermal expansion under high pressure and temperature — this is where material choice (usually 316 over 304) starts to matter more, given the environments involved.
How We Cut and Check Every Shim
Cutting a shim sounds straightforward until you’re trying to hold ±0.005mm across a production run — that’s where the actual work is. We run a multi-stage inspection process on every shipment rather than spot-checking a sample and hoping the rest matches.
What Gets Checked
- dimensional verification of outside diameter, width and thickness using calibrated instruments
- hardness testing per Rockwell or Vickers scale, matched to the grade specified
- surface flatness check to ±0.005mm tolerance — a shim that isn’t flat won’t seat properly no matter how accurate the thickness is
- compliance verification against ASTM A240 for stainless steel shim stock and relevant IS standards
- positive material identification (PMI) and spectrochemical analysis where alloy verification matters
- flaring and flattening checks, plus impact and bend tests for formability on request
Packaging & Dispatch
Aspect | Standard Practice |
|---|---|
Surface Protection | Moisture-proof plastic or VCI wrapping to prevent corrosion in transit |
Packing Format | Carton boxes, foam separators, or shrink-wrapped bundles depending on quantity |
Bulk / Export Orders | Wooden boxes and export-grade pallets |
Labelling | Individual labelling with grade, size, thickness and batch identification |
Documentation | EN 10204 3.1 material test certificates included as standard where applicable |
What Affects Pricing
Factor | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
Material | Stainless 316 costs more than 304; copper and brass sit in between depending on thickness |
Thickness Tolerance | Tighter than standard ±0.005mm adds cost and lead time |
Quantity | Prototype/single-piece runs cost more per unit than production batches |
Shape Complexity | Slotted or custom-profile shims cost more to cut than plain rectangles or discs |
Certification | Mill test certificates add a small documentation cost but are usually worth it |
Shims: Frequently Asked Questions
Alignment, precut and laminated shims cut to size in stainless steel (304, 304L, 316, 316L), brass and copper. We cut to your thickness and footprint, hold common sizes in stock, and provide a material certificate where the grade matters. If a material or size is not listed, ask, because we cut to requirement.
Alignment shims are thin, precisely made spacers used to align, level and space machinery, sitting under a motor foot, pump, coupling or bearing housing to bring it into true. Because the correction is small and exact, the shim has to be the right thickness, flat and stable under load, which is why cut-to-size accuracy matters.
Yes, that is the core of what we do. We cut shims to your thickness, from a few thousandths of an inch upward, and to your footprint, solid, round, slotted or a custom shape from a drawing or sample. Single prototype shims and production runs are both quoted, and laminated peelable shims are available for fine on-site adjustment.
Stainless steel is the default for most machinery alignment, with 304 for general use and 316 where the shim sits in a wet or coastal spot. Brass is non-sparking and easy to cut, good for electrical and general work, and copper suits electrical and precision shimming for its conductivity and softness. We cut all of them to size.
A manufacturer and supplier. We cut shims in-house, which is why thickness, shape and material are made to your requirement rather than limited to catalogue sizes. Common sizes are stocked for fast dispatch and custom work is made to order, across stainless, brass and copper from one point of contact.
Looking for high-quality Shims in India?
Contact Kalpataru Piping Solution today for pricing, technical support, and bulk supply.
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