Difference between shaper and planner machine

The main difference between shaper and planer is that in shaper machine workpiece is fixed at the table and tool is in reciprocating motion which rubs the workpiece and cut unwanted metal. While in planner machine tool acts like a stationary body and workpiece move over it. It is used for large size workpieces. There are many other differences which are described below. So here this article gives the main key difference between the shaper and planer machine to better understand this topic.

What is the shaper machine?

Shaper machine is defined as the process of removing the material from the surface of the workpiece, fixed in the machine vice by a single-point cutting tool that reciprocates in linear motion across the workpiece. The material removed from the workpiece will be horizontal, vertical, and angular planes by the single point cutting tools.

What is the planner machine?

Planner machine is defined as the process of removing the material from the surface of the workpiece, by mean of tool which is fixed and the workpiece reciprocates along with it. As it is also using a single-point cutting tool, but the machinery is large compared to a shaper machine and can machine large components.

Difference between  shaper and planner machine:

• Shaper machine is traditionally a small machine ad preferred for smaller jobs. Whereas the planner machine is larger and can accommodate the heavier and larger job. Job as a large as 7 meters wide and twice long can be machined on a planer. 
• Shaper requires a large floor space, while the planer requires less floor space.
• It is possible for a shaper to make light cuts and finer feed. While it is possible for a planer to make heavier cuts and coarse feed.
• Tools used in shapers are lighter and smaller, whereas tools used in planers are heavier, stronger, and larger.
• Shaper, workpiece imparts cutting motion, while cutting tool gives feed motion, on the other hand, planer, the workpiece imparts feed motion while cutting tool gives cutting motion.
• Shaper has a lower rate of power consumption, the planer has a high rate of power consumption.
• Shaper machine work is held stationary and the cutting tool on the ram is pushed back and forth over the work. While in the planer machine the tool is stationary and workpiece travel back and both under the tool.
• In the planner machine, multiple tooling permits machining of more than one surface at a time whereas only one tool is used on a shaper.
• The planner has a comparatively high machining accuracy when compared to the shaper.
• Shaper Machine, cutting, and return speeds vary throughout the strokes, while in the planer machine, cutting and return speeds are uniform throughout the strokes.
• Shaper is simple in construction and less rigid, while the planer is very robust and rigid in construction.
• Shaper machine work setting requires less skill and less time whereas in the planer machine, work setting requires specialized skill ad more time.
• The shaper uses a quick return mechanism to drive them ram. In morden shaper machine, the hydraulic drive is also used, while in planer is given by gear or hydraulic arrangement.
• Shaper has only one cutting tool that can be used at a time, the planer has a facility to accommodate multiple tools and simultaneously use all of them.
• A shaper machine is not suitable for machining small and medium-size work, one or few at a time, a planer is usually not suitable for matching the small and medium size of work, one or few at a time.
• Shaper provides low MRR, thus shaping is less productive, the planner has longer stroke length and can take heavy cuts therefore MRR is high and the operation is productive.