{"id":100227,"date":"2026-02-15T20:28:23","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T20:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/?post_type=calculator&#038;p=100227"},"modified":"2026-02-15T20:28:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T20:28:23","slug":"shim-thickness-calculator","status":"publish","type":"calculator","link":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/calculators\/shim-thickness-calculator\/","title":{"rendered":"Kikokotoo cha Unene wa Shim | Usawazishaji wa Shimafi kwa Mhimili"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\n{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"WebApplication\",\"name\":\"Shim Thickness Calculator\",\"description\":\"Calculate required shim thickness at each motor foot for shaft alignment correction.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/calculators\/shim-thickness-calculator\/\",\"applicationCategory\":\"Engineering 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p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}\n.vc-related{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;margin-top:16px}.vc-related-link{display:inline-block;padding:8px 16px;font-family:var(--vc-font);font-size:13px;font-weight:600;background:var(--vc-surface-alt);color:var(--vc-ink-secondary);border:1px solid var(--vc-border);border-radius:var(--vc-radius);text-decoration:none;transition:all .15s}.vc-related-link:hover{border-color:var(--vc-accent);color:var(--vc-accent);background:var(--vc-accent-light)}\n.vc-promo{margin-top:24px;padding:20px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--vc-accent-light),var(--vc-surface));border:1px solid var(--vc-border);border-radius:var(--vc-radius-lg);display:flex;align-items:center;gap:16px}.vc-promo-text{flex:1;font-size:14px;color:var(--vc-ink-secondary)}.vc-promo-text strong{color:var(--vc-ink)}.vc-promo-link{padding:8px 20px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#fff;background:var(--vc-accent);border-radius:var(--vc-radius);text-decoration:none;white-space:nowrap;transition:background .15s}.vc-promo-link:hover{background:var(--vc-accent-hover)}\n.vc-footer{text-align:center;padding:32px 16px;font-size:13px;color:var(--vc-ink-muted)}.vc-footer a{color:var(--vc-accent);text-decoration:none}.vc-footer a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.vc-footer-links{margin-top:8px;font-size:12px}.vc-footer-links a{margin:0 8px}\n@media print{.vc-section-body{max-height:none!important}.vc-results{max-height:none!important;padding:24px!important}.vc-copy-btn,.vc-section-chevron,.vc-faq-chevron,.vc-promo{display:none!important}}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"vc-calculator\">\n<header class=\"vc-header\">\n    <p class=\"vc-header-eyebrow\">Free Engineering Tool<\/p>\n    <h1 class=\"vc-header-title\">Shim Thickness Calculator<\/h1>\n    <p class=\"vc-header-subtitle\">Calculate required shim thickness at each motor foot for vertical shaft alignment correction. Uses simple geometry based on coupling gap and foot distances.<\/p>\n    <div class=\"vc-badges\"><span class=\"vc-badge\">Vertical Correction<\/span><span class=\"vc-badge\">Standard Shim Sizes<\/span><span class=\"vc-badge\">Front &amp; Rear Feet<\/span><\/div>\n<\/header>\n\n<div class=\"vc-card\">\n    <form class=\"vc-form\" id=\"vc-form\" autocomplete=\"off\">\n        <div class=\"vc-form-grid\">\n            <div class=\"vc-field\"><label class=\"vc-label\" for=\"vc-offset\">Vertical Offset at Coupling <span class=\"vc-label-hint\">(mm, + = motor high)<\/span><\/label><input class=\"vc-input\" type=\"number\" id=\"vc-offset\" step=\"any\" placeholder=\"e.g. 0.15\" value=\"0.15\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"vc-field\"><label class=\"vc-label\" for=\"vc-angle\">Angular Misalignment <span class=\"vc-label-hint\">(mm gap difference top-bottom)<\/span><\/label><input class=\"vc-input\" type=\"number\" id=\"vc-angle\" step=\"any\" placeholder=\"e.g. 0.10\" value=\"0.10\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"vc-field\"><label class=\"vc-label\" for=\"vc-d-coupling\">Coupling Diameter <span class=\"vc-label-hint\">(mm, where gap measured)<\/span><\/label><input class=\"vc-input\" type=\"number\" id=\"vc-d-coupling\" step=\"any\" min=\"1\" value=\"200\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"vc-field\"><label class=\"vc-label\" for=\"vc-d-front\">Distance: Coupling to Front Feet <span class=\"vc-label-hint\">(mm)<\/span><\/label><input class=\"vc-input\" type=\"number\" id=\"vc-d-front\" step=\"any\" min=\"1\" value=\"200\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"vc-field\"><label class=\"vc-label\" for=\"vc-d-rear\">Distance: Coupling to Rear Feet <span class=\"vc-label-hint\">(mm)<\/span><\/label><input class=\"vc-input\" type=\"number\" id=\"vc-d-rear\" step=\"any\" min=\"1\" value=\"450\"><\/div>\n            <div class=\"vc-field\"><label class=\"vc-label\" for=\"vc-direction\">Correction Direction<\/label>\n                <select class=\"vc-select\" id=\"vc-direction\">\n                    <option value=\"add\" selected>Add shims (motor is low)<\/option>\n                    <option value=\"remove\">Remove shims (motor is high)<\/option>\n                <\/select>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/form>\n\n    <div class=\"vc-results\" id=\"vc-results\">\n        <div class=\"vc-results-head\">\n            <h2 class=\"vc-results-title\">Shim Results<\/h2>\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"vc-copy-btn\" id=\"vc-copy-btn\"><svg width=\"14\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><rect x=\"9\" y=\"9\" width=\"13\" height=\"13\" rx=\"2\"\/><path d=\"M5 15H4a2 2 0 01-2-2V4a2 2 0 012-2h9a2 2 0 012 2v1\"\/><\/svg> Copy<\/button>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"vc-result-grid\">\n            <div class=\"vc-rcard vc-rcard-primary\">\n                <div class=\"vc-rcard-label\">Front Feet Shim (each)<\/div>\n                <div class=\"vc-rcard-value\" id=\"vc-r-front\">\u2014<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"vc-rcard\">\n                <div class=\"vc-rcard-label\">Rear Feet Shim (each)<\/div>\n                <div class=\"vc-rcard-value\" id=\"vc-r-rear\">\u2014<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"vc-rcard\">\n                <div class=\"vc-rcard-label\">Angular Correction per mm<\/div>\n                <div class=\"vc-rcard-value\" id=\"vc-r-angcorr\">\u2014<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"vc-shim-suggest\">\n            <div class=\"vc-shim-suggest-title\">Suggested Shim Combination<\/div>\n            <div id=\"vc-shim-front-combo\"><\/div>\n            <div style=\"margin-top:10px;border-top:1px solid var(--vc-border-light);padding-top:10px\" id=\"vc-shim-rear-combo\"><\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"vc-section vc-open\">\n    <button type=\"button\" class=\"vc-section-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"true\"><span class=\"vc-section-toggle-text\"><span class=\"vc-section-icon\">\ud83d\udcd8<\/span><span class=\"vc-section-title\">Theory &amp; Standard Shim Sizes<\/span><\/span><svg class=\"vc-section-chevron\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n    <div class=\"vc-section-body\">\n        <div class=\"vc-section-inner vc-theory\">\n            <h3>Shim Calculation Geometry<\/h3>\n            <p>The shim at each foot corrects for both offset and angular misalignment:<\/p>\n            <div class=\"vc-formula-box\">Shim<sub>front<\/sub> = Offset + (Angle \u00d7 D<sub>front<\/sub> \/ D<sub>coupling<\/sub>)<br>Shim<sub>rear<\/sub> = Offset + (Angle \u00d7 D<sub>rear<\/sub> \/ D<sub>coupling<\/sub>)<\/div>\n            <p>Where offset is vertical displacement at the coupling, and angle is the gap difference divided by the coupling diameter, projected to each foot distance.<\/p>\n            <h3>Standard Shim Sizes<\/h3>\n            <table class=\"vc-table\">\n                <thead><tr><th>Thickness (mm)<\/th><th>Thickness (mil\/thou)<\/th><th>Material<\/th><th>Color Code<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n                <tbody>\n                    <tr><td>0.05<\/td><td>2<\/td><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Gold\/Yellow<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>0.10<\/td><td>4<\/td><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Orange<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>0.125<\/td><td>5<\/td><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Purple<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>0.25<\/td><td>10<\/td><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Red<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>0.50<\/td><td>20<\/td><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Green<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>0.75<\/td><td>30<\/td><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Blue<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>1.00<\/td><td>40<\/td><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Silver<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>2.00<\/td><td>80<\/td><td>Stainless steel<\/td><td>Brown<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>3.00<\/td><td>120<\/td><td>Mild steel<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><\/tr>\n                <\/tbody>\n            <\/table>\n            <div class=\"vc-warning-box\"><p style=\"margin:0;font-size:14px;color:var(--vc-ink-secondary)\"><strong>\u26a0\ufe0f Best Practice:<\/strong> Use no more than 3\u20135 shims under any one foot. Too many shims create a &#8220;spongy&#8221; base leading to soft foot. If total shim thickness exceeds 3 mm, consider machining the base or using a single precision-ground shim.<\/p><\/div>\n\n            <h3>Alignment Tolerances by Speed<\/h3>\n            <table class=\"vc-table\">\n                <thead><tr><th>RPM<\/th><th>Max Offset (mm)<\/th><th>Max Angularity (mm\/100mm)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n                <tbody>\n                    <tr><td>600<\/td><td>0.10<\/td><td>0.10<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>900<\/td><td>0.07<\/td><td>0.07<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>1200<\/td><td>0.05<\/td><td>0.05<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>1500<\/td><td>0.05<\/td><td>0.05<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>1800<\/td><td>0.04<\/td><td>0.04<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>3000<\/td><td>0.03<\/td><td>0.03<\/td><\/tr>\n                    <tr><td>3600<\/td><td>0.025<\/td><td>0.025<\/td><\/tr>\n                <\/tbody>\n            <\/table>\n\n            <h3>Shimming Best Practices<\/h3>\n            <ul>\n                <li>Always use pre-cut stainless steel shims \u2014 never cut your own from sheet metal<\/li>\n                <li>Remove any existing paint, rust, or burrs from the foot and base before shimming<\/li>\n                <li>Check for soft foot before beginning alignment (tighten one bolt, measure gap at others)<\/li>\n                <li>Use the minimum number of shims possible \u2014 combine to use 2\u20133 shims max<\/li>\n                <li>Shims must be clean, flat, and the correct size for the bolt and foot<\/li>\n                <li>After shimming, tighten bolts in a cross pattern to rated torque<\/li>\n                <li>Re-check alignment after final tightening \u2014 shimming can shift during torquing<\/li>\n                <li>Document all shim changes in the alignment report<\/li>\n            <\/ul>\n\n            <h3>Thermal Growth Compensation<\/h3>\n            <p>For hot-running machines, account for thermal growth. The motor may need to be set LOW at ambient temperature so that thermal expansion brings it into alignment at operating temperature:<\/p>\n            <p>\u0394h = \u03b1 \u00d7 L \u00d7 \u0394T, where \u03b1 is the coefficient of thermal expansion (~12 \u03bcm\/m\/\u00b0C for steel), L is the distance from base to centerline, and \u0394T is the temperature rise above ambient.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"vc-section\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"vc-section-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"vc-section-toggle-text\"><span class=\"vc-section-icon\">\ud83d\udd17<\/span><span class=\"vc-section-title\">Related Calculators<\/span><\/span><svg class=\"vc-section-chevron\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n    <div class=\"vc-section-body\"><div class=\"vc-section-inner\"><div class=\"vc-related\"><a class=\"vc-related-link\" href=\"\/calculators\/bolt-pattern-calculator\/\">Bolt Pattern Calculator<\/a><a class=\"vc-related-link\" href=\"\/calculators\/length-unit-converter\/\">Length Converter<\/a><a class=\"vc-related-link\" href=\"\/calculators\/motor-nameplate-decoder\/\">Motor Nameplate Decoder<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"vc-section\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"vc-section-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"vc-section-toggle-text\"><span class=\"vc-section-icon\">\u2753<\/span><span class=\"vc-section-title\">FAQ<\/span><\/span><svg class=\"vc-section-chevron\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/button>\n    <div class=\"vc-section-body\"><div class=\"vc-section-inner\"><div class=\"vc-faq-list\" id=\"vc-faq-list\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"vc-promo\"><div class=\"vc-promo-text\"><strong>Vibromera \u2014 Portable Balancing &amp; Vibration Analysis<\/strong><br>Professional shaft alignment tools and vibration analysis instruments.<\/div><a class=\"vc-promo-link\" href=\"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Learn More<\/a><\/div>\n<footer class=\"vc-footer\"><p>&copy; 2024\u20132025 <a href=\"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/\">Vibromera<\/a><\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;margin-top:4px;\">Shim Thickness Calculator. 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It can be caused by a bent foot, dirty base, or too many thin shims. Soft foot >0.05 mm should be corrected before alignment. Tighten one bolt at a time and measure gap at other feet with feeler gauges.<\/p>'},\n        {q:'How many shims maximum under one foot?',a:'<p>Best practice is 3\u20135 shims maximum. Each shim interface adds compliance. If you need more than 3 mm total, use machined shims or step plates. Never use folded shims or brass shims \u2014 only stainless steel pre-cut shims.<\/p>'},\n        {q:'Should I correct vertical or horizontal first?',a:'<p>Always correct vertical (shimming) first, then horizontal (sliding). Vertical correction requires bolt loosening which can disturb horizontal position. After shimming, re-check both planes.<\/p>'},\n        {q:'What are typical alignment tolerances?',a:'<p>For 1500 RPM: offset \u22640.05 mm, angularity \u22640.05 mm\/100 mm. For 3000 RPM: offset \u22640.03 mm, angularity \u22640.03 mm\/100 mm. Tighter tolerances for higher speeds and critical machines.<\/p>'}\n    ];\n    var fl=$('vc-faq-list');faqData.forEach(function(f){fl.innerHTML+='<div class=\"vc-faq-item\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"vc-faq-q\"><span>'+f.q+'<\/span><svg class=\"vc-faq-chevron\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2\"><path d=\"M6 9l6 6 6-6\"\/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"vc-faq-a\"><div class=\"vc-faq-a-inner\">'+f.a+'<\/div><\/div><\/div>'});\n    fl.addEventListener('click',function(e){var b=e.target.closest('.vc-faq-q');if(!b)return;b.closest('.vc-faq-item').classList.toggle('vc-open')});\n\n    function init(){calculate()}\n    if(document.readyState==='loading'){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',init)}else{init()}\n})();\n<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hesabu unene unaohitajika wa shim katika kila mguu wa motor kwa urekebishaji wa usawazishaji wa shimafi. Ingiza thamani za kutoelewana, nafasi za miguu, na upate mapendekezo ya shim kwa kutumia ukubwa wa kawaida.<\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"ai_generated_summary":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-100227","calculator","type-calculator","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/calculator\/100227","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/calculator"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/calculator"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/calculator\/100227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":100542,"href":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/calculator\/100227\/revisions\/100542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vibromera.eu\/sw\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}