Rentapen Inc., sells hundreds of thousands of custom and standard metal shims each year. In 2012, they have seen an increase in shim sales.
Metal shims are commonly used to finely adjust the location of how the fixture holds the product so that it is welded together within the dimensions set for the product to work well.
“We also cut die sharpening shims and custom cut sheet metal,” said Susan Straley, President of Rentapen Inc.
A shim pack is a stack of thin metal shims. The pack is placed between two components in a weld fixture. The first component is fixed in place and the second component is attached to the first component with the pack of shims in between. Removing one shim or adding one shim slightly adjusts the location of the second component. This is important to manufacturers who want to have their product’s parts assemble easily after being welded.
“If you want precision in your final welded products it means using shims to make fine adjustments before going into full production,” said Straley.
At Rentapen there are four ways manufacturing companies can order shims:
First, RAPid Tooling Component Shims. Rentapen’s standard shims from their website or from their catalog. Customers can find the shim shapes they are looking for in the catalog or from Rentapen’s website on the Order 3D Models page. Next they can choose the one with the dimensions that they want to modify. Then they choose the material and thicknesses. Or manufacturers can go to the Order 3D Models page, create the shim and get part number to incorporate into their design.
Second, custom shim shapes can be cut from a drawing. Customers can send Rentapen a drawing. Rentapen accepts DXF, DWG and versions of AutoCAD 2000. Rentapen can also re-draw the drawing into a file format if they customer prefers.
Third, shims that match those that are made by another manufacturer can be ordered from Rentapen. For example: Douglas Stamping Company and Misumi shim shapes can be cut by Rentapen. Engineers can use any shim number from any manufacturer which they would like to match. Then provide Rentapen with the manufacturer’s name and use their shim number (without thickness designations) to build the shim number. For example: NAAMS, GM, Ford, Douglas Stamping Company, Precision Brands.
Finally, Component shims that fit under some other purchased component from Reid, Carr Lane, or Jergens. For example, use the number for a Jergens Flat Foot and add the quantity and thickness.
Rentapen offers steel shims, stainless steel shims, metal shims, NAAMS shim shapes, Bridge shims, Adjustment shims, custom sizes and shapes of shims, Reid Tool Supply shim shapes, and Douglas shims. Rentapen puts each pack in a bag with a tag. With all the style choices it is no wonder that sales are increasing and Rentapen has earned the title of Shim King.
