Precision Brand Products, Inc.

Sof’ Shoe Shim

Can Solve
Your Angular Soft Foot
Alignment Problems!
Precision Brand Products, Inc.
Sof’ Shoe Shim
Can Solve
Your Angular Soft Foot
Alignment Problems!
Ordinary/Parallel Soft Foot
 Ordinary/Parallel Soft Foot

Even gap between

the foot and base.
 Ordinary/Parallel Soft Foot

Even gap between All four corners of the

the foot and base. foot are on the same
plane
Angular Soft Foot
 Angular Soft Foot
A condition that refers to uneven or
irregular gaps between the foot and base.
 Angular Soft Foot
A condition that refers to uneven or
irregular gaps between the foot and base.

Shim Pack

Poorly machined/
sprung foot
 Angular Soft Foot
A condition that refers to uneven or
irregular gaps between the foot and base.

Shim Pack

Poorly machined/ Corroded and/or

sprung foot irregular base
 Angular Soft Foot
A condition that refers to uneven or
irregular gaps between the foot and base.

Shim Pack

Standard shim packs do not

compensate for Angular Soft Foot.
Angular Soft Foot Robs Productivity,
Shortens Motor Life, and
Increases Maintenance Demands
 Angular Soft Foot Robs Productivity,
Shortens Motor Life, and
Increases Maintenance Demands

Driven machine, originally in

alignment, experiences shaft
wobble when connected to
improperly aligned motor.
 Angular Soft Foot Robs Productivity,
Shortens Motor Life, and
Increases Maintenance Demands

Driven machine, originally in Improperly aligned driver

alignment, experiences shaft motor causes shaft wobble.
wobble when connected to
improperly aligned motor.
Why is Angular Soft Foot so destructive?
 Why is Angular Soft Foot so destructive?

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
 Motor Twist & Foot Movement

Tightening a motor foot that has Angular Soft Foot forces the
foot to make contact with the base, creating unwanted
stresses on the motor housing through the motor’s leg.
These stresses can distort the motor housing and twist
bearings, bending the shaft and causing shaft wobble.
Angular Soft Foot will cause:
 Angular Soft Foot will cause:

• extra strain on the bearings and seals

• eccentricity of the motor air gap, reducing

efficiency and increasing heat

• excess strain and wear on couplings

Ultimately, the result will be premature

bearing failure and shorter motor life.
How can you recognize Angular Soft Foot?
How can you recognize Angular Soft Foot?

Inconsistent flat rise readings during alignment indicate

Angular Soft Foot. Check the gap under each corner of the
foot with feeler gage. If the measurements are not the same,
the motor may have an Angular Soft Foot condition.
 Have you ever “Chased Your Tail”?

Correcting for Soft Foot based on inconsistent dial or laser readings

may measure the spring of a foot
 Have you ever “Chased Your Tail”?

Correcting for Soft Foot based on inconsistent dial or laser readings

may measure the spring of a foot and not the actual ordinary, co-planar
flat rise.
 Have you ever “Chased Your Tail”?

Correcting for Soft Foot based on inconsistent dial or laser readings

may measure the spring of a foot and not the actual ordinary, co-planar
flat rise. Standard shimming simply lifts the problem
 Have you ever “Chased Your Tail”?

Correcting for Soft Foot based on inconsistent dial or laser readings

may measure the spring of a foot and not the actual ordinary, co-planar
flat rise. Standard shimming simply lifts the problem, leading to a
continual repetition of the process often called “chasing your tail”.
 What are the traditional cures for Angular Soft Foot?

Step Shim
(Labor intensive and can shake loose)
 What are the traditional cures for Angular Soft Foot?

Step Shim
(Labor intensive and can shake loose)
 What are the traditional cures for Angular Soft Foot?

Step Shim
(Labor intensive and can shake loose)

Re-Machine
(Costly and impractical for larger
motors and turbines)
 What are the traditional cures for Angular Soft Foot?

Step Shim
(Labor intensive and can shake loose)

Re-Machine
(Costly and impractical for larger
motors and turbines)

Poured Epoxy
(Significant downtime and lost production)
 What are the traditional cures for Angular Soft Foot?

Step Shim
(Labor intensive and can shake loose)

Re-Machine
(Costly and impractical for larger
motors and turbines)

Poured Epoxy
(Significant downtime and lost production)
Now, the most cost effective and practical solution to
Angular Soft Foot is Sof’ Shoe shim.
 Now, the most cost effective and practical solution to
Angular Soft Foot is Sof’ Shoe shim.

Poorly
machined
sprung foot

Corroded and/or
Shim Pack irregular base
 Sof’ Shoe shim fills in any uneven
gaps between the foot and base

Poorly
machined
sprung foot

Corroded and/or
Shim Pack irregular base
How does Sof’ Shoe shim work?
 How does Sof’ Shoe shim work?

• It’s made of a specially formulated elastomer

• Cold flows and sets to fill any irregular gaps

between foot and base

• Creates total surface contact

• It is an “instant” step shim

What makes Sof’ Shoe shims so effective?
What makes Sof’ Shoe shims so effective?

• Unique properties retain about 50% of it’s flexibility

allowing it to conform to any shape

• Takes a permanent set after ten to fourteen days

under standard bolt torque compression

• Enables instant motor startup after alignment

• Stable to 225 degrees Fahrenheit

Sof’ Shoe shim Catalog Products
•Two thicknesses
.020”=Blue & .045=Yellow
•Four motor shim sizes
2”, 3”, 4” & 5”
Sof’ Shoe shim Catalog Products
•Two thicknesses
.020”=Blue & .045=Yellow
•Four motor shim sizes
2”, 3”, 4” & 5”

UPC No. Shim Size Slot Size Thickness Color Pcs. Per Pkg.
49105 2" x 2" 5/8" .020" Blue 10
49125 2" x 2" 5/8" .045" Yellow 10
49110 3" x 3" 3/4" .020" Blue 10
49130 3" x 3" 3/4" .045" Yellow 10
49115 4" x 4" 1-1/4" .020" Blue 10
49135 4" x 4" 1-1/4" .045" Yellow 10
49120 5" x 5" 1-5/8" .020" Blue 10
49140 5" x 5" 1-5/8" .045" Yellow 10

To link to the Precision Brand Sof’ Shoe shim catalog page click here.
 Precision Brand Products, Inc.
2250 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 USA
Phone: (630) 969-7200 (800) 535-3727 FAX: (630) 969-0310
E-Mail: precisionbrand@pbrand.com
web: www.precisionbrand.com
To download a Sof’ Shoe brochure click here
 Precision Brand Products, Inc.
2250 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 USA
Phone: (630) 969-7200 (800) 535-3727 FAX: (630) 969-0310
E-Mail: precisionbrand@pbrand.com
web: www.precisionbrand.com
To download a Sof’ Shoe brochure click here