Ultra-Precision Custom Shims — From 1μm Thickness, ±0.1μm Tolerance
TDC manufactures custom shims starting from 1μm in thickness, using our proprietary lapping-based process. We work to tolerances that conventional etching or press forming cannot achieve — ±0.1μm thickness tolerance with specifications in 0.1μm increments. Available in a wide range of materials, shapes, and sizes, with orders accepted from a single piece.
Contents
Features of TDC Ultra-Precision Custom Shims
TDC custom shims are suited to a wide range of applications where tight dimensional tolerances are critical — including improving assembly accuracy in precision equipment, compensating for tolerance stack-up, nano-scale fine-tuning through shim stacking, and ensuring long-term dimensional stability.
- Nano-scale control through lapping
Our lapping process enables nano-scale precision control that etching and press forming cannot achieve. - ±0.1μm tolerance / 0.1μm-increment thickness specification
We manufacture to your required precision and thickness at the micro-to-nano scale. - Compatible with 230+ materials, including difficult-to-machine materials
We work with difficult-to-machine materials as well as ceramics and PEEK for insulation applications. Inquiries about new materials are welcome. - Minimum order: 1 piece
We handle everything from single-piece prototypes to volume production. - Short lead times
Custom orders are typically delivered in 3 to 20 business days. In-stock standard shims are available for same-day shipping. - Material procurement available
We can source your specified materials in-house. Customer-supplied materials are also accepted.
Custom Shim Specifications
Below are the specifications for our custom shims.
Please feel free to contact us if you have requirements outside these ranges.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Thickness | 1μm and above |
| Thickness specification | 0.1μm (100nm) increments |
| Thickness tolerance | ±0.1μm and tighter (depending on size and thickness) |
| Maximum size | Over 1,000mm (contact us) |
| Minimum size | No limit (contact us) |
| Surface finish | As-material, matte, mirror finish, and others available on request |
| Materials | Stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass, ceramics, carbide, and 230+ others |
| Minimum order | 1 piece (prototypes accepted) |
Custom Shim Examples
Below are some examples of custom shims we have produced at TDC.
We accommodate a wide range of requirements — size, shape, material, packaging, and shipping. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Example 1: Ultra-thin shim, 1μm thickness / Titanium
An ultra-thin titanium shim produced at 1μm (0.001mm) thickness.
Manufactured to specification in 1μm increments.
- Material: Titanium
- Size: 20×10×t0.001–0.013mm
Example 2: Extra-large shim, 1m length / Stainless steel
An extra-long shim produced in SUS304, reaching 1,000mm in length.
Packaged and shipped using methods appropriate to the product size to prevent damage in transit.
- Material: SUS304
- Size: 1000×100×t0.05mm
Example 3: Custom shim ring / Stainless steel
A custom shim ring produced to customer-specified inner diameter, outer diameter, and thickness.
- Material: SUS304
- Thickness tolerance: ±0.5μm
- Size:
Large: outer diameter 25mm / inner diameter 15mm / t0.01mm
Small: outer diameter 10mm / inner diameter 8mm / t0.015mm
The Technology and Quality Assurance Behind Our Ultra-Precision Shims
The precision and quality of TDC custom shims are backed by machining expertise built over many years and a rigorous inspection process.
Ultra-Precision Machining
The thickness precision of TDC custom shims is achieved through ultra-precision machining centered on lapping.
Our production process allows us to control multiple geometric tolerances — including flatness, parallelism, and dimensional tolerance — simultaneously at the nano scale, consistently achieving thickness tolerances of ±0.1μm.
For more details on our machining capabilities, please visit the page below.
Ultra-Precision Polishing and Machining Services
Quality Assurance and Inspection
Every shim we produce undergoes dimensional inspection — including thickness and flatness — using ultra-precision measuring instruments.
A measurement report is included with every shipment, which you are welcome to use as part of your own quality management process.
How to Order Custom Shims
Here is how we handle custom shim orders at TDC.
- Quote
…We discuss your requirements in detail and prepare a quote to your specifications. - Order confirmation
…Once we receive your purchase order, we begin production. - Production
…We use lapping — the process we excel at — to achieve the required thickness precision. - Delivery
…Your shims are delivered with a measurement report included.
Empower your projects with
nano-scale precision polishing.
― we’ve got you covered ―
Material procurement / Test pieces
Any materials & shapes / Hard-to-cut materials
Single to mass production
TDC Standard Shims — Precision You Can Order Off the Shelf
We stock high-precision shims with thickness tolerances of ±1μm and ±0.5μm, starting from 400 JPY (excl. tax) per piece.
Suitable for precision equipment assembly and fine adjustment of molds and jigs.
Standard Shim Specifications
| Material | SUS304 |
| Thickness tolerance | ±1μm (0.001mm) / ±0.5μm (0.0005mm) |
| Measuring instrument | Mitutoyo micrometer |
| Size | Dim. a (mm) | Dim. b (mm) | ±1μm (JPY, excl. tax) | ±0.5μm (JPY, excl. tax) |
| For M2/M3 | 3.3 | 6.5 | @400 | @600 |
| For M4 | 4.5 | 8 | @460 | @690 |
| For M5 | 5.5 | 10 | @550 | @830 |
| For M6 | 6.5 | 12 | @650 | @980 |
| For M8 | 8.5 | 16 | @850 | @1,280 |
※Orders accepted from 1 piece.
Thickness t (μm): 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17 / 18 / 19 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100
Custom Sizes Also Available for Standard Shims
- Shape variations: Washers, flat plates, and other shapes available beyond the standard C-type
- Size variations: Same shape in M15 size
- Thickness variations: Produced at t0.250mm (standard range goes up to t0.100mm)
and more
What Is a Shim?
A shim is a thin, flat piece used in the assembly of precision equipment and machinery to make fine adjustments to the height or position of components. No matter how precisely individual parts are manufactured, tolerance stack-up is inevitable when multiple components are assembled together. Shims absorb that accumulated error and bring the overall assembly into precise alignment.
Stainless steel is the most common material, though iron, brass, titanium, copper, and ceramics are also used depending on the application.
Shims come in a variety of shapes — C-type, ring, plate, and U-type — selected according to the geometry of the area being adjusted.
Types of Shims
Shims are available in the following shapes to suit the geometry of the area being adjusted.
- C-type shim — Can be slid in from the side without removing bolts, making it convenient for on-site adjustments. Mainly used with circular or cylindrical components.
- Shim ring — Used for adjusting circular components such as shafts and bearings. Provides stable positioning and is well suited to rotating parts.
- Shim plate — The most versatile shape, used for adjustments between flat surfaces. Offers a high degree of freedom in size and shape, covering a wide range of applications.
- U-type shim — Like the C-type, it can be inserted from the side and is suited to square or rectangular components. Used in places where a plate-type shim cannot be inserted.
C-type shim
Shim ring
Shim plate
U-type shim
