Planer Machines

Introduction
A planer is a type of metalworking machine tool
that is some what similar to a shaper, but larger,
and with the entire workpiece moving beneath
the cutter, instead of the cutter moving above a
stationary workpiece.
The work table is moved back and forth on the bed
beneath the cutting head either by mechanical
means, such as a rack and pinion gear, or by a
hydraulic cylinder.

 Planers and shapers are used generally for

generating accurate flat surfaces (horizontal /
vertical / inclined) and cutting slots on work
pieces which are too large and heavy to be
accommodated on shaper machine table.

Working Principle
In a planer, the work
which is supported on
the table reciprocates
past
the
stationary
cutting tool and the feed
is imparted by the
lateral movement of the
tool.
The tool is clamped in
the tool holder and work
on the table.

 The bigger job is fixed with

help of the grooves on the
base of the planer and is
accurately guided as it travels
back and forth.
The different mechanisms
used to give reciprocating
motion to the table are
Reversible motor drive, Open
and Cross belt drive &
Hydraulic drive.

Classification of Planers
Planers are generally divided into 5 types
according to their construction.

Double Housing Planer

Open Side Planer
Universal Planer
Edge type / Plate type Planer
Divide Table Planer
Pit type Planer

Double Housing Planer

It is the most common type
of planer. It consists of
mainly a massive bed on
which
the
worktable
reciprocates,
and
two
vertical columns or housing,
one on each side of the
bed.
Each column carries a tool
head that can be slide up
and down on the column.

 A cross rail fitted between

the two columns may carry
one or two tool heads that
can slide horizontally on the
cross rail.
All the tool heads can be
clamped in position, and
can be used collectively or
individually depending on
the requirements.

Open Side Planer

Open side planer consists of

only one vertical column or

housing on which the cross rail
is mounted.
The column and the cross rail

carry single and double tool

heads respectively.
This type of machine permits

machining of wide work pieces.

Universal Planer
The main feature of this type of planer is that
it can cut on both forward and reverse
strokes.
Different cutting edges operate for cutting in
the two strokes.

Edge type / Plate type Planer

This type of machine is used for machining the
edges of heavy work pieces.
The work piece is clamped on the bed and the side
mounted carriage supporting the cutting tool is
reciprocated along the edge of the work piece.
Cutting can take place during both directions of
carriage travel.

Divide Table Planer

It is also called tandem planer and consists of two
worktables, which may be reciprocated together or
separately.
When mounting and setting of workpieces on the
worktable consumes more time thereby restricting the
machine for continuous mass production applications,
divided table planer can be used.
In this, one worktable can be used for setting up a new
workpiece, while the second worktable carrying
workpiece is being machined.
The two tables can be joined together to hold large
workpieces.

Pit type Planer

A pit type planer differs from other planer in the sense
that, the table and the work piece resting on it remain
stationary and the tool reciprocates across the work
surface.
This type of machine is preferred for very large work,
where the weight of the work piece and the table would
make reciprocating movement difficult.
The job is either mounted on a stationary table, or on
the floor inside a pit, and hence the name pit type
planer.
One or two tool heads can be mounted on the cross rail
and two side tool posts on the housings, if required.

 The entire unit travels along the horizontal ways to

and fro, thus the tool moves past the work surface
during operation.

Planer Machine Parts

Bed & Table

Housings
Cross rail
Tool head
Column
Driving & Feed mechanism

Bed & Table

It is of long & heavy base made of cast iron.
Its top surface is flat and machined accurately.
The flat top surface has slots in which the work
piece can be securely clamped thus avoiding
shifting out of its position.
The standard clamping devices used on planer
machine are: Heavy duty vice, T-holders and
clamps, angle plate, planer jack, step blocks and
stop.

 The table movement may be actuated by a

variable speed drive through a rack and pinion
arrangement, or a hydraulic system.

Table & Housing

The table supports the work and reciprocates along
the ways of the bed.
Table is made from good quality cast iron.
The top face of the table is accurately finished in
order to locate the work correctly.
T-slots are provided on the entire length of the table
so that the work and work holding devices may be
bolted upon it.
The housings are the rigid and upright column like
castings. These are located near the centre on
each side of the base.

Column
These are rigid box-like vertical structures placed on
each side of the bed and are fastened to the sides
of the bed.
They are heavily ribbed to trace up severe forces
due to cutting.
The cross rail may be made to slide up and down for
accommodating different heights of work.

Cross rail
It is a rigid box-like casting connecting the two
columns.
It may be raised or lowered on the face of the
housing and can be clamped at a desired position
by manual or electrical clamping devices.
It should remain absolutely parallel to the top
surface of the table.
It is necessary to generate a flat horizontal
surface on a work piece because the tool follows
the part on the cross rail during cross feed.

 The vertical movement of the cross rail allows to

accommodate work piece of different heights.
Since the cross rail is supported at both the ends,
this type of planer machine is rigid in construction.

Tool Head
Tool

heads

are

mounted on the cross

rail by a saddle.
The saddle may be
made

to

move

transversely on the
cross

rail

cross feed.

to

give

 The swivel base is

pivoted on the saddle
and is graduated on
each side to 60 degrees.
The clapper block
hinged at hinge pins
the clapper box and
holds the tool post
which
the
tool
clamped by straps.

is
to
it
in
is

Driving and Feed mechanism

The tool heads may be fed either by hand or by
power in crosswise or vertical direction.
The motor drive is usually at one side of the
planer near the centre and drive mechanism is
located under the table

Cutting Speed ,Feed and Depth Of Cut

Cutting speed

The cutting speed of a planner is the rate at the

metal is removed during the forward cutting stroke.
Feed

The feed in planning machine is the distance the

tool head travels at the beginning of each cutting
stroke expressed in mm per double stroke.
Depth of Cut

It is the thickness of metal removed in one cut and is

measured by the perpendicular distance between
the machined and unmachined surface.
It is expressed in mm.

Machining Time
If the cutting speed , feed , length of cutting stroke , width

of the job and number of double strokes per minute for a

planer operation are known , the machining time required
for one complete cut may be calculated by using the
equation:
tm = L * B (1 + m)
1000 * v * f
Where,
L = length of stroke (mm) B = Width of job (mm)
m = ratio of return time to cutting time
V = cutting speed (m/min)f = feed (mm/double stroke)

Difference between Shaper and Planer

In a Shaper, the tool is held on a ram which reciprocates
and the work which is mounted on the table remains
stationary and provides the feed. while in a Planer, the
work is mounted on a table which reciprocates while the
tool is held rigid on the frame and fed into the work.
Multiple tooling with double or four tool heads in a
Planer is used to machine more than one surface at a
time thus reducing cutting time.
The Shaper is driven using quick return mechanism,
while drive on Planer table is obtained by gears or
hydraulic means.

 Planers are heavier, larger and costlier than Shapers.

In a Planer, work setting requires much skill and time
consuming, while in a Shaper, clamping is easy.
In a Planer, tool is rigidly supported when the work
moves assuring maximum accuracy on the machined
surface, while in Shaper, due to overhanging of the ram
during the cutting stroke and not robust design, the
accuracy is not up to the mark.
Tools used in Planer are much more robust (tough)
than used in Shaper.

Table Drive Mechanism

Quick Return Mechanism of a Planer to Drive
the table by open and cross belting