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Click here to download our latest Easipeel brochure. Ford's Easipeel Laminated Shimstock offers time and cost saving solutions to precision shimming.
What is Easipeel?
Easipeel is the registered brand name of the laminated sheet produced/manufactured by Ford Aerospace Ltd.
Easipeel is available comprising of layered foils with a thickness from 0.025mm to 0.1mm, Standard sheet sizes are 1220mm by 610mm (4 feet X 2 feet). "This being the maximum size, Easipeel Laminated Shimstock can be provided in any size smaller than this".
Our standard foils are steel, stainless steel, aluminium and brass which are usually available ex-stock; however more exotic materials like laminated Cadmium steel, Copper and Phosphor Bronze can be supplied upon request.
In addition to supplying shimstock, Ford also a Make-to-Print service where shims are machined at their Tyne Dock Aerospace facility (Easipeel®).
Laminated Shimstock Sheet
A sheet is manufactured by bonding different foils (of thickness varying from 0.001" to 0.004") to the maximum tolerance and is cured at a specified temperature under pressure to produce a strong and rigid structure. This process gives the material the charateristics of a solid material but can be reduced to a precise thickness simply by peeling off individual layers.
Laminated Shim
A laminated shim is a component of a desired shape, size and material which is cut or machined out from the laminated shim stock.
Need/Significance
The amount of tolerances involved in all the components of an assembly when added can result in some considerable empty space once assembled. This stack up of tolerance can be compensated by the use of a laminated shim, gasket or spacer.
Advantages
- Quick production line adjustment and field-repairs
- Reduces assembly times
- No production stoppages
- Dimensional accuracy
- Eliminates grinding and hence the associated costs
- Eliminates need of solid shims inventory
- Compensates for wear and tear (play)
Cost Savings
Specifying Easipeel Laminate Shims over graded or solid shims offers a number of cost saving advantages:
- Process Improvements: in the past it was necessary to machine shims in order to adapt to suit the mechanical component or to build up the appropriate package of shims. A laminated shim is quickly peeled to fit during installation - the only tool required is a sharp knife.
- Manufacturing Costs: Machining or grinding shims to the desired thickness is a long and costly process. Laminated shims can be adjusted by peeling down immediately without having to stop production.
Applications
Although the benefits of the laminated shims have long been appreciated in the defence and aerospace industries, design engineers throughout other industries have more recently begun to identify the cost savings relating to the relaxation in close machining tolerances.
Laminated shims are used in a number of other industries including:
- Agricultural
- Automotive
- Transportation
- Machine tools
- Pumps, motors
- Landing gears etc.
Please visit our Markets section to see our wide range of customers.
