How many shims can I use?

How many shims can I use?

Usually, you will also need more shims if you use homemade ones. Use as few shims as possible. Three pre-cut shims should always be enough; in extraordinary situations four could be needed.

What is the maximum number of shims allowed under each foot?

Let’s examine a few of these. First, you should never use more than three precut shims under a foot (or four at most) except in exceptional circumstances. The reason for this is that an excess in the net number of shims under a machine foot leads to increased risk of exceeding your allowable soft foot tolerance.

What are shims used for in an alignment?

Shims are thin pieces of metal or plastic inserted between two surfaces to align or adjust the fit of the two surfaces. Anyone who has propped up a wobbly table by placing something beneath one of the table legs has, in essence, used a shim.

Can you stack shims?

Stackable shims are made in very fine thicknesses to allow small, precise increments of leveling or aligning. Multiple shims can be stacked to achieve shimming tolerances down to 1/32”.

How do you use a shim?

How to Use Shims. Once a door or window is seated into the opening, place shims in any gaps between the window or door casing and the framed opening. Use a hammer or mallet to gently tap the shim into place, using a level to check that the window or door is moving toward plumb or level as desired.

What is soft foot in alignment?

In his book, Shaft Alignment Handbook, noted alignment expert John Piotrowski defines soft foot as the condition “when rotating equipment is set into place on its base, frame or sole plate, one or more than one of the ‘feet’ are not making good contact at the foot points of the frame.” More generally, the condition is …

Are alignment shims necessary?

Alignment shims are used to correct misaligned components when it’s not necessary or even recommended to replace these components. If your alignment cannot be brought back to spec with alignment shims, you may need to replace other components before your vehicle drives straight and true.

How do you calculate shim ratio?

The equation you’ll use to determine the new shim size is as follows: New shim size = (measured valve clearance – specified valve clearance) + old shim size.

How do you break off shims?

Cut Excess Shim If using wood shims, lightly score the wood with your utility knife as close as possible to the workpiece. Bend the shim at the scored line to snap it off. Alternatively, you can cut off the shim with a multi-tool. If using plastic shims, bend back the shim and snap it off.

How big of a shim do you need for a pump?

A nominal shim thickness of 3 mm is desirable so that future alignment moves can be made as needed. But, if you can achieve the required alignment with less than 3 mm, you should do so. If, on the other hand, the motor truly has no shim at all, then you have a couple of choices.

How many shims should I use for alignment?

If you absolutely must shim your machine up by more than 150 thousandths, then go ahead and use four shims; however, if you must shim up 0.250″ or more, then have your machine shop make you a chock (a chock is a shim that is 250 mils or more in thickness) and make sure this chock is carefully milled flat and coplanar on both faces.

What’s the minimum Shim thickness for a motor?

That means you purposely machine the motor support minimum 3 mm lower than calculated height difference the pump and motor shaft center height. During the proof alignment at the factory, the shim thickness must be minimum 3 mm. Do you have this before the final alignment at site?

Why do you put shims under the pump?

In a new installation, after the piping are attached to the pump, moving the pump to achieve the shaft alignment is almost not feasible. So why put shims under the pump? The motor will only have the flexible power cable connected to it.Very often you will find the pump foot is doweled onto the baseplate support. 1.