The different operation which a shaper can perform are as follows :
- Machining horizontal surface
- Machining vertical surface
- Machining angular surface
- Cutting slot grooves and keyways
- Machining splines or cutting gears
- Machining irregular surface
- Dovetail slides
- Producing contour of concave/convex or a combination of these
Machining horizontal surface :
A shaper is mostly used to machine a flat surface on a work piece held in a vice. After work is properly held on the table the tool is set in the tool post. The table is raised until there is a clearance of 25 to 30 mm between tool and work piece. then the length of the stroke is adjusted. proper cutting speed and feed are adjusted. then both roughing and finishing cut are perform on the shaper machine.
Machining vertical surface :
A vertical cut is made while the end of the work piece, squaring up a block or cutting shoulder. The work is mounted on the table and the surface to be machined is carefully aligned with the axis of ram. A side cutting tool is set on the tool post and the position and length of stroke are adjusted. The vertical slide is set exactly zero position and the apron is swivelled in a direction away from the surface being cut.
Machining angular surface :
An angular cut is made at any angle other than a right angle to the horizontal or to the vertical plane. work is set on table vertical slide of the tool head is swivelled to the required angle either towards left or right. Then down feed is given by rotating the down feed screw. thus the angular surface being machined.