Shim Plates

Shim Plates for High-Precision Alignment, Leveling & Spacingbr />Call 0121 544 5808 Today

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Bespoke Manufacturing

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Instant Quote Service

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Worldwide Delivery

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Various Gauges/Thicknesses



Bespoke Manufacturing

l

Instant Quote Service



Worldwide Delivery

R

Various Gauges/Thicknesses

What Are Shim Plates?

Shim plates are thin, flat components used to adjust spacing, alignment, or elevation between parts in mechanical systems.

Essential in any industry that requires precision assembly or machinery calibration, shim plates allow engineers to fine-tune tolerances without altering core components.

They’re available in a wide range of materials, thicknesses, and shapes – and at Stephens Gaskets, we supply both standard sizes and custom shim plates tailored to your exact requirements.

Key Benefits of Shim Plates

1. Precision Alignment

These plates ensure tight tolerances by adjusting the position of mechanical parts with sub-millimetre accuracy. Ideal for machinery, structural installations, and sensitive assemblies.

2. Cost-Effective Adjustment

Rather than modifying parts or casting new components, shim plates allow fast, economical realignment – saving time, money, and resources during both installation and maintenance.

3. Fast Installation & Removal

Easily slotted into position or removed during servicing. Reduces downtime and makes servicing or calibration quick and repeatable.

4. Versatility Across Applications

Used in virtually every engineering sector – from automotive and aerospace to construction, tooling, and R&D.

5. Customisable to Your Needs

We produce shim plates in a wide range of shapes (rectangular, circular, slotted, tabbed) and materials. Laser cutting, CNC machining, and laminated peelable options are available.

6. Protects Against Wear

Acts as a buffer between components, helping reduce wear, absorb vibration, and improve mechanical longevity.

Common Applications of Shim Plates

1. Machinery & Equipment Alignment

Shim plates are critical during machine installation and maintenance to align motors, pumps, gearboxes, and base plates.

2. Automotive Engineering

Used for adjusting gear backlash, bearing preload, engine component alignment, and suspension geometry.

3. Aerospace

Precision fitment for structural and mechanical components, turbine assemblies, and system tolerances in high-stress environments.

4. Tool & Die Setups

Essential for setting die heights and calibrating jigs and fixtures for moulding, stamping, or cutting operations.

5. Construction & Structural Engineering

Used to level steel beams, align pre-fabricated components, and space base plates under columns or load-bearing elements.

6. Maintenance & Overhaul

Shim plates are used during equipment overhauls to restore spacing or tolerances and extend service life without new parts.

7. Prototyping & R&D

Perfect for test assemblies where precise spacing needs frequent tweaking. Laminated peelable shims offer adjustable thickness on the fly.

Materials for Shim Plate Manufacturing

We manufacture shim plates in a variety of industry-grade materials to suit different environments:

Material	Best For	Key Properties
Stainless Steel	Harsh environments, heavy machinery	Strong, corrosion-resistant (304, 316, 321)
Mild Steel	Structural setups, general fabrication	Durable and cost-effective
Brass	Electrical components, decorative applications	Non-magnetic, corrosion-resistant
Copper	Electronics, thermal management	Conductive, malleable
Aluminium	Aerospace, lightweight machinery	Lightweight, corrosion-resistant
Plastics (Nylon, PTFE, Acetal)	Electrical insulation, low-friction settings	Non-conductive, corrosion – and chemical-resistant
Laminated Peelable Shims	Adjustable setups, prototyping	Peelable layers for on-site thickness control

Why Choose Stephens Gaskets?

As a leading shim plates manufacturer, we’ve supported industries across the UK and globally for over 70 years.

Precision manufacturing for custom and standard parts.
UK-based production and technical support.
ISO-certified quality and traceability.
Flexible order volumes – from one to thousands.
Expert guidance on material, spec, and fitment.

We serve customers in aerospace, automotive, food processing, power generation, electronics, and general manufacturing.

FAQs

How do I know what thickness I need?

We offer shims from 0.01mm to 5mm+, and our team can guide you in selecting the right thickness based on tolerances, load, or application.

Can I get a custom shape?

Yes – we offer laser-cut and waterjet-cut custom shim plates, made to your exact CAD files or design specifications.

Are your materials industry compliant?

Absolutely. We use industry-standard grades (e.g., 316L for food/pharma, WRAS-compliant plastics, aerospace-grade aluminium) and can provide certification upon request.