Shaper, Planer and Slotting machines:

Shaper:
It is a reciprocating type of machine tool used to produce flat surface. These surfaces may be
horizontal, vertical or inclined. Modern shaper machines can generate contoured surface.

Types or Classification of Shaper:

1) According to type of mechanism: Crank type, Geared type and Hydraulic type
2) According to position of travel of ram: Horizontal type, Vertical type, Travelling head type
3) According to type of design of the table: Standard shaper, universal shaper
4) According to type of cutting stroke: Push type, Draw type
Specification of Shaper:
a) Length of Ram stroke b) Range of Ram speeds:(Strokes per minute)
c) Working surface area of table d) Max Table Travel – Horizontal:
e). Max Table Travel – Vertical f) Angular movement of table on either side
g) Maximum vertical travel of Tool Slide h) Maximum swivel of Tool Head
i) Main Drive Motor
Cutting Speed, Feed, Depth of cut and Machining time with respect to Shaper:
Cutting speed: It is the rate at which the metal is removed in cutting tool. It is given by m/min.
Cutting speed = (Length of cutting stroke) / Time required by cutting stroke
= nL(1+m) / 1000 where n is rpm of wheel, L is length of stroke
And m is ratio between return time to cutting time.
Feed : It is the relative movement of tool or work in a direction perpendicular to the axis of
reciprocation of the Ram per double stroke. It is expressed in mm.
Depth of Cut: It is the thickness of metal that is removed in one cut.
Machining Time: It is the time taken to complete the cut. It is given by,
T = LB(1+m) / (1000)(V)(S)
Where, T is the machining time, L is Length of stroke, B is width of stroke, S the feed, m is ratio
of return time to cutting time and V is the cutting speed.
Hydrualic shaper and its working principle:

In this machine, the reciprocating movement of tool head is controlled by hydraulic drive
mechanism. It consists of a constant discharge oil pump, Throttle valve, Relief valve, Directional
control valve, reservoir for oil storage, Cylinder with piston housed in Ram of Machine.
The oil from reservoir is pumped at high pressure and made to pass through Control Valve and
then to the one opening (Left or Right) of cylinder.
During the cutting stroke of tool, the pressurized oil made to pass through from right side so that
the piston advances to the left causing the cutting stroke.
During return stroke, the control valve changes the direction of pressurized oil so that oil strikes
from left side and piston moves back to its initial position. This cycle repeats till the complete
machining of components takes place.
Advantages: Cutting and return speeds are constant, Control of speed is easier, Relief valve used
ensures the safety of tool and machine when it is overloaded.
Types of operations performed in a shaper
1. Machining horizontal surface. 2. Machining vertical surface.
3. Machining angular surface. 4. Cutting slots, grooves and keyways.
5. Machining irregular surface. 6. Machining splines or cutting gears.
 Planer and its Operations:
Planer is like a shaper machine tool used to produce plane and flat surface by single point cutting
tool. But in construction it is very large and massive compared to Shaper. Some of the differences
are noted below.
Difference between Shaper and Planing Machine:

Shaping Planing

Shaping is one machining operation where workpiece is held stationary Planing is similar machining operation but here the cutting
while cutting tool (ram) is reciprocated across the work. tool remains stationary while workpiece (worktable) is
reciprocated under the cutter.

Workpiece (bed) imparts feed motion, while cutting tool gives cutting Workpiece (table) imparts cutting motion, while cutting tool
motion. gives feed motion.

Shaping operation is performed in a machine tool called Shaper (also Planing operation is performed in a machine tool called
called shaping machine). Planer (also called planing machine).

Shaping machine uses quick return mechanism for tool movement. Planing machine uses quick return mechanism for worktable
movement.

Shaper is traditionally a small machine and preferred for smaller jobs. Planer is larger machine and can accommodate heavier and
larger jobs.

It provides low Material removal rate; thus, shaping is less productive. Planer has longer stroke length and can take heavy cuts, so
Material removal rate is high and the operation is productive.

Only one cutting tool can be used at a time. Facility to accommodate multiple tools and simultaneously
using all of them is also available in some planing machines

Operations performed in Planer machine:

1. Planing horizontal surface. 2. Planing vertical surface.
3. Planing angular surface. 4. Cutting slots, grooves and keyways.
5. Planing curved surface. 6. Planing Helix 7. Multiple planing.
Specifications of Planer Machine:
1. Number of speeds and feeds available. 2. Power Input 3. Floor space required
4. Net weight of the machine 5. Type of drive and power requirement
6. Max. length of table 7. Length of bed 8. Length of table
 Double housing planer

The main parts of this planer are, Bed, Table, Tool heads, Cross rail, Columns, Driving and feed
mechanism. Base supports columns and all other moving parts of machine. It is provided with
ways over which table moved on it. Table supports the work piece and is made of Cast iron. T slots
are provided on length of bed so that work and work holding devices are bolted.
Columns are placed on each side of bed and are built strongly to take the heavy cutting forces
during machining process. Cross rails are sliding up and down over these columns.
Multiple tool heads are mounted on these columns as well as on cross rail. Different cutting actions
can be obtained such as vertically or horizontally. Cutting action of tool head is provided by gear
mechanism built inside the column.
Slotting Machine:
Slotting machine (slotter) is a reciprocating type of machine tool similar to a shaper or a planer
machine. It may be considered as a vertical shaper. The main difference between a slotter and a
shaper is the direction of the cutting action. The slotting machine operates in a manner similar to
the shaper. However, the cutting tool moves vertically direction rather than in a horizontal
direction. The work piece is held stationary.
Operations performed under slotter:
 Machining flat surfaces
 Machining cylindrical surfaces
 Machining irregular surfaces and cam machining
 Machining slots, keyways and grooves.
 Working of Slotter with sketch:

It is very useful for cutting grooves, key ways, straight and curved slots, for machining regular and
irregular surfaces (both internal and external), cutting of external and internal teeth of large gears.
The slotting machine consists of a base, which acts as a support for column, driving mechanism,
ram, table and all other parts. In a slotter, the ram holding the tool reciprocates in a vertical
direction; Work piece is mounted on the table remains stationary and provides the feed.
In advanced machine, a rotor table is mounted on the top of the cross slide and can be rotated by
hand or power by means of worm and worm gear mechanism situated underside the table.
The table is graduated in degrees, which enables it to be rotated for indexing' T-slots which are
provided on the top of the table. Ram is reciprocating member which moves vertically up and
down. The cutting takes place during the downward stroke of the ram.
Difference between Planer and Slotter:

Planer Slotter

In a planer machine, the reciprocating motion is In a slotter machine, the reciprocating

done by the workpiece. motion is done by the tool.

In a slotter machine, the reciprocating

In a planer machine, the reciprocating motion is motion is done by the tool in a vertical
done by the workpiece in a horizontal direction. direction.

It is heavy, large and expensive. It is a relatively medium-cost machine.

Heavy and hard tools are used. Medium type tools are used.

More work skill is required to set the workpiece in Relatively less work skill is required to set
the planer machine. the workpiece in the Slotter machine.

It has the ability to make heavy cuts. Small and medium cuts can be made.

Occupies more area on the floor. Occupies less area on the floor.