Precision Shims Spacers, Glass Spacers and Precision Shim Washers

Precision shims, spacers, and washers are components used to align parts in various mechanical assemblies, distribute loads, or adjust spacing. Shims and spacers are precisely manufactured for specific applications requiring tight tolerances.

Shims are thin, precisely cut pieces of material—such as stainless steel, steel, aluminum, brass, copper, plastic, or rubber—used to fill small gaps or adjust the spacing between parts. They are manufactured to tight tolerances and are essential in applications that require specific dimensions to ensure proper operation of high-performance machinery or high-speed rotating equipment.

Spacers are used to create space between parts, separate components, provide clearance, or achieve specific spacing. They generally do not require the same level of precision as shims. Spacers can be made from various materials and customized for specific applications.

Washers are usually flat, round pieces made from materials like steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, plastic, or rubber, with a hole in the middle. They are used to evenly spread out the load from a screw or bolt, preventing damage to the material being fastened. Washers can also act as spacers, providing space between parts.

Glass spacers are components used in insulated glass units to hold and separate the glass panes. They create a sealed gap that enhances energy efficiency and prevents condensation. These spacers are thin strips made from materials such as metal, foam, or a combination of both.

Submount components are platforms used to mount and support optoelectronic or electronic devices. They provide mechanical stability, thermal management, and electrical connections, which are essential in applications requiring precise alignment and efficient heat dissipation. Submounts can be made from various materials, such as silicon, ceramics, and metals, depending on specific application needs.

Valley Design’s precision shims, spacers, and submount components are manufactured with exact pitch tolerances and arranged with less than 1/4 micron spacing and are available with lapped or polished mirror finishes.

Precision glass spacers, shims, submounts, rings, washers, and blocks can be made from a wide range of materials. Shims in various sizes, thicknesses, and surface finishes can be precisely produced to meet your specific requirements for different uses. These precision spacers and shims can be fabricated from materials such as Aluminum Nitride, Alumina, Borosilicate glass, Fused Silica, Fused Quartz, and Soda Lime Glass, many of which are available in stock (see below). Other options include stainless steel, tool steel, copper, brass, aluminum, tungsten, nickel-plated or hard-coated metals, Silicon Carbide, various types of glass, quartz, sapphire, Teflon, polymers, and more. They can also be custom-shaped, lapped, or polished to exact standards. Custom edge profiles and cavities are also available.

Capabilities range from blocks as small as 250 microns square and as thin as 25 microns to rings with diameters up to 450 mm. These can be arranged sequentially with various edge profiles, steps, and cavities. Valley Design offers a wide range of capabilities and can handle even the most challenging specifications and tight tolerances. Nearly any custom part can be manufactured. Contact us for all your precision shims, spacers, blocks, and washers—lapped or polished—with any flat shape, with or without cavities or holes.

Aluminum Nitride 170 – 185 W/mK, smooth lapped finishes with 25u” Ra (LBS). Larger and smaller sizes available for precision spacers and shims, with tighter tolerances as low as ± 1um. Polished finishes are also available, with polished one or two sides at 2u” Ra.

Stock levels fluctuate and are subject to change. Please call 978-425-3030 or email us to inquire about current pricing and availability of precision spacers and shims.

Soda Lime Glass, Borosilicate Glass, Fused Silica, and Fused Quartz spacers. Lapped to a 25μ” Ra (LBS) or optically polished options available. Larger and smaller sizes with tighter tolerances are also available.

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