--- title: Installing Shims description: The IDEX printers need that the hotends are at the same height to print in duplication or mirror mode, and the Shims are designed to compensate for any possible diference. Learn how and when to install them to compensate the offsets --- [Skip to content](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-shims#main-content) - [English](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-shims) - [Español](https://support.bcn3d.com/es/knowledge/bcn3d-shims) English Show submenu for translations [Contact support](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [Customer portal](https://support.bcn3d.com/repair-service?hsLang=en) ![knowledge-base-header-bcn3d-logo.png\]](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Header/knowledge-base-header-bcn3d-logo.png?height=40&name=knowledge-base-header-bcn3d-logo.png) - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://blog.bcn3d.com/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Default HubSpot Blog](https://blog.bcn3d.com/) - - [English](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-shims) - [Español](https://support.bcn3d.com/es/knowledge/bcn3d-shims) English Show submenu for translations - [Contact support](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Customer portal](https://support.bcn3d.com/repair-service) - [BCN3D forum](https://www.bcn3d.com/community/) [BCN3D forum](https://www.bcn3d.com/community/) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge base - BCN3D](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [Tips](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/tips?hsLang=en) 3. [3D printer](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/tips?hsLang=en#3d-printer) # Installing Shims ## The IDEX printers need that the hotends are at the same height to print in duplication or mirror mode, and the Shims are designed to compensate for any possible diference. Learn how and when to install them to compensate the offsets   --- |   | [**EN**](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-shims) | **[ES](https://support.bcn3d.com/es/knowledge/bcn3d-shims?hsLang=en)** | | --- | --- | --- | --- ### What are the Shims? **Shims are parts that mechanically correct the Z offset between the toolheads** when printing in Mirror or Duplication mode.  In these modes both toolheads work simultaneously, so it is key to make sure both nozzle tips are exactly at the same height. Due to manufacturing and assembly tolerances, the Z offset between tips can be up to 0.5mm.  ![shimss-installation-compensate-nozzles-offsets](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Shims/shimss-installation-compensate-nozzles-offsets.gif?width=688&name=shimss-installation-compensate-nozzles-offsets.gif)   ### When is recommended to install the Shims? **The installation of shims is recommended** **when using [the duplication and/or mirror modes](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-stratos-idex-mode?hsLang=en) regularly**, or to achieve the desired dimensional quality in the Z-axis. ### What happens if I don't want to install the Shims? When shims are not installed, BCN3D **printers automatically correct the height difference between hotends** when in mirror/duplication mode by adding more "first layers" to the part. This correction distorts the height of the model as extra layers are added to compensate for the difference in height. We offer two solutions to avoid this problem.  #### Enable "[raft](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/build-plate-adhesion?hsLang=en)" in BCN3D Stratos ![raft-1](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Avocado/avocado%20draft/raft-1.png?width=688&name=raft-1.png) [When using raft](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/build-plate-adhesion?hsLang=en), **the height compensation will be done on the support, which can be removed** without affecting the dimensional quality of the part. This option requires a higher consumption of material and the finish of the first layer is not shiny. #### Install shims  ![installing-shims-in-printer-bcn3d](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Shims/installing-shims-in-printer-bcn3d.png?width=688&name=installing-shims-in-printer-bcn3d.png) Thus, the difference in height in Z is mechanically corrected. This option **avoids wasting material to compensate for the difference in height** and greatly reduces printing time. Plus, the finish of the first layer will be glossy. | ![shims-bcn3d-printers-calibration](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Draft/shims-bcn3d-printers-calibration.png?width=150&name=shims-bcn3d-printers-calibration.png) | **Shims are not included with the printer.** You can get a pack of 10 shims in our online shop: [BCN3D Shims](https://www.bcn3d.com/product/set-of-shims/). | | --- | --- | The option to install shims may appear after calibrating the Z axis of both extruders or before starting a print in duplicate or mirror modes if you hadn't installed them during calibration. | ![z-axis-calibration-screen-en](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Aug-13-2020-11-59-02-80-AM.png?width=342&name=image-png-Aug-13-2020-11-59-02-80-AM.png) | ![z-axis-calibration-screen-install-shims-en](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Aug-13-2020-12-00-55-36-PM.png?width=342&name=image-png-Aug-13-2020-12-00-55-36-PM.png) | | --- | --- |   **If you're interested in installing shims** to compensate for the offset between the nozzles. Click on the picture that corresponds to your printer to be redirected to the installation guide: | **How to install the shims** | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [![epsilon w27 header](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Draft/epsilon%20w27%20header.png?width=600&name=epsilon%20w27%20header.png)](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/install-shims-bcn3d-epsilon-series?hsLang=en) | [![SigmaD25](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Draft/sigma%20d25%20header.png?width=150&name=sigma%20d25%20header.png)](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/install-shims-bcn3d-sigma-series?hsLang=en) | [![Sigmax](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Materials/Sigmax-header-3-prints.jpg?width=150&name=Sigmax-header-3-prints.jpg)](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/install-shims-bcn3d-sigmax?hsLang=en) | [![SigmaR19](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Related%20Articles%20Base/sigma%20r19.jpg?width=150&name=sigma%20r19.jpg)](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/install-shims-bcn3d-sigma?hsLang=en) | ### Conclusions - The shims are designed to compensate the height difference between hotends. - Are highly recommended to install them when the duplication or the mirror mode would be used constantly. - The printer can work without shims, it will compensate the difference by printing a base under the model with the hotend that is higher. - Enable the "raft" to avoid any Z variation in the printed parts when the printer adjusts the height difference.   | **Send us your comments about this article** | [![feedback-button](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Button/feedback-button.png?width=179&name=feedback-button.png)](https://share.hsforms.com/1F7t1sBuOQyWlAeRwwFSjgQ3fec5) | | --- | --- | |   **RELATED ARTICLES** | | | [![calibrate hotend eng](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Related%20Articles%20English/calibrate%20hotend%20eng.png?width=341&name=calibrate%20hotend%20eng.png)](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-printer-calibration?hsLang=en) | [![learning-your-printer-en](https://support.bcn3d.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Knowledge%20base/Avocado/avocado%20related%20articles/learning-your-printer-en.png?width=341&name=learning-your-printer-en.png)](https://support.bcn3d.com/knowledge/bcn3d-3d-printer?hsLang=en) |       - 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