What is Planer Machine?- Definition, Parts, And Types

What is A Planer Machine?

A planer is a metalworking machine tool that operates by creating linear movement between the workpiece and a single point cutting tool, allowing for precise material removal.

If you’ve ever worked with a shaper, you’ll notice some similarities, but there’s a key distinction: while a shaper moves the cutting tool itself, the planer keeps the tool steady and moves the workpiece instead.

This difference becomes even more apparent when dealing with larger workpieces planers are generally built to accommodate bigger jobs.

In practice, the workpiece is clamped securely onto a horizontal table, which slides back and forth beneath a fixed cutting tool. The tool is mounted on a cross rail, so after each pass of the table, it can shift sideways in small increments.

This stepwise movement enables the planer to handle a variety of cuts, angles, and surface finishes. You’re not limited to simple, straight cuts the machine’s flexibility with angles allows you to create a wide range of grooves and surfaces.

Additionally, both the speed and the length of the table’s travel can be adjusted, making the process adaptable to different materials and desired finishes.

Interestingly, the planer isn’t limited to just metalwork. There are mechanical planers, sometimes called surfacers, designed for woodworking. These are the go-to machines for bringing boards down to a uniform thickness.

Their construction typically includes a sturdy frame, a bed that moves up and down, feed rolls, a mechanism to guide the wood through, and a cylindrical cutting head with multiple knives that shave off the excess material.

You’ll find that planers come in a range of models. Some are built to smooth just one surface at a time, while others can handle multiple surfaces in a single pass a huge time-saver in production environments.

When it comes to size, planers are classified by the maximum width of work they can handle, with typical machines accommodating anywhere from 45 to 125 centimeters (or about 18 to 50 inches).

Parts of Planer Machine

The planer machines generally include the following parts: –

• Bed: The bed forms the foundation of the planer machine and is constructed as a robust, box-shaped unit, typically from cast iron. You’ll often notice V-shaped slots running along its surface these aren’t just for show; they guide the movement of the table back and forth. The bed isn’t just about support, though; it carries the weight of the entire setup, including the columns and all the machining loads during operation. Inside, it also contains the mechanisms that control how the table moves.
• Table: When you look at the table, you’ll see another substantial, rectangular component, also made from high-grade cast iron for strength and durability. Its job is pretty straightforward: it holds the workpiece and moves in a reciprocating motion along the slots of the bed. The upper surface of the table is machined very precisely almost mirror-smooth because even the smallest error here could introduce dimensional inaccuracies in the final workpiece. This level of precision is crucial for successful planning operations.
• Column (Housing): On either side of the bed, you’ll spot the columns, which look like upright rectangular boxes. These stand perpendicular to the bed and are fixed solidly in place. Their main role is to support and enclose the side tool head and to provide a sturdy base for the cross rail above. Inside the columns, you’ll also find the movement mechanisms that allow the cross rail to adjust as needed.
• Cross Rail: Spanning horizontally across the machine and resting on the columns, the cross rail is another key part of the structure. It provides a mounting point for the vertical tool head, adding a lot of rigidity to the whole machine setup. What’s more, you can raise or lower the cross rail by turning a lead screw that’s tucked away inside the column giving the operator flexibility depending on the job at hand.
• Tool Heads: A typical planer machine is equipped with three tool heads. The one mounted on top is meant for machining the upper surface of the workpiece, while the other two are positioned on the sides to take care of the side surfaces. Each tool head is strategically placed so that the machine can handle different machining tasks in one setup, saving time and boosting efficiency.

Types of Planer Machine

#1. Double housing planer machine.

This type of planer machine is actually one of the most widely used in workshops. Its design features a long, heavy base fitted with precisely machined guideways, which allow the table to move back and forth smoothly along its length. Interestingly, the base is built to be about twice as long as the table itself.

On top of the bed, you’ll find two vertical columns (or housings), positioned near the center—one on each side. These columns are joined at the top by a sturdy cross member, giving the whole structure stability.

Mounted on a horizontal cross rail, there are two tool heads that can slide along the vertical faces of these columns. What’s handy is that these tool heads can be operated either automatically (using power) or manually, and they’re able to move in both the crosswise and vertical directions to provide the necessary feed during machining.

In addition to these, there are two more tool heads fitted onto the vertical faces of the housings. These extra heads can also move up and down or side to side, giving you more flexibility and control over the cutting process. As for driving the planer table itself, either mechanical or hydraulic systems can be used, depending on what the job requires.

#2. Open side planer machine.

In this design of planer machines, there is a single housing positioned on one side of the base, as opposed to the double-housing style that allows for multiple tool heads.

While double-housing planers can support two or even three tool heads, the single housing version dedicates all available space to just one. Despite this, the construction remains robust and rigid, ensuring it can withstand significant working forces.

The cross rail serves an important function, supporting the tool head and allowing it to move both vertically and horizontally. This movement is guided by the vertical slide along the housing’s guideways.

Additionally, another tool head is mounted directly on the housing, and it is aligned in the same direction as the primary one.

#3. Pit planer machine.

A pit-type planer machine is distinguished by its substantial build, where the table remains stationary within a pit, flush with the floor level. Instead of the table moving, it’s the column supporting the cross rail that reciprocates along horizontal rails positioned on either side of the table.

This design choice, with the table level with the floor, isn’t arbitrary; it’s meant to handle extremely heavy workpieces. Because the table doesn’t move and sits so low, loading and positioning large or bulky materials becomes much less of a hassle practically, it’s just easier to slide or lift heavy components into place.

Mounted on the cross rail, you’ll usually find two tool heads. These aren’t fixed in one position; they can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally, giving flexibility to perform different types of cuts.

Movement of the column itself is controlled by a motor-driven screw, which steadily drives the column back and forth as required for machining operations.

#4. Edge planer machine.

An edge planer, often referred to as a plate planer, is primarily utilized for squaring and beveling the edges of steel plates. This equipment finds significant application in shipbuilding and the fabrication of various pressure vessels.

In operation, the workpiece is secured firmly on a stationary table, typically using air-operated clamps to ensure stability throughout the process.

The tool head, which is affixed to a carriage, travels along two horizontal guideways situated at the base’s front. The design includes a designated space for the operator on the carriage itself, allowing them to accompany and oversee the operation as the carriage moves.

During this process, the tool mounted on the carriage reciprocates, passing repeatedly along the plate’s edge to achieve the desired finish.

#5. Divided table planer machine.

This machine features two tables positioned on the bed, each of which can move back and forth either independently or in unison. This flexibility significantly speeds up operation, making the setup ideal for mass production tasks where repetitive work is required.

In practice, the process works like this: while one table is being loaded with a new workpiece, the other table moves past the cutting tool to finish the machining on its piece. Once the machining cycle is complete, the finished workpiece is simply removed by sliding the table to the end position.

For handling large or heavy-duty jobs, both tables can be clamped together, so they act as a single unit. In this configuration, the combined tables move together under the tool to perform the necessary machining.

Advantages of Planer Machine

Here are the advantages of Planer Machine:

• Enhanced Surface Finish: One of the notable advantages is the ability to achieve a superior surface finish on the workpiece, which can be especially beneficial in applications where precision and appearance are important.
• Minimal Maintenance Requirements: These systems generally require less maintenance compared to other methods, which can help reduce downtime and overall operating costs in the long run.
• High Degree of Accuracy: Another key benefit is the good level of accuracy that can be consistently maintained, making it suitable for tasks that demand precise measurements and tight tolerances.
• Simultaneous Use of Multiple Tools: It is possible to operate two or even three single-point cutting tools at the same time, which significantly speeds up the process and increases productivity.
• Option for Single Tool Operation: Additionally, there is flexibility to use just one tool at a time when needed, offering greater control over the machining process and accommodating a wider variety of tasks.

Disadvantages of Planer Machine

These are some disadvantages of Planner Machine:

• The overall cost associated with this equipment is relatively high.
• Operation relies exclusively on a single-point cutting tool.
• The machine must be operated by an individual who possesses specialized skills and a solid understanding of its mechanics.
• It tends to consume more power compared to alternative machines.

Application of Planer Machine

Following are the advantages of Planner Machine:

• Creating Flat Surfaces: This machine is especially useful when you need to produce a perfectly flat surface. It’s designed to make sure your workpiece comes out smooth and even, which is something a lot of us look for in precision tasks.
• Efficient Material Removal: One of the strengths of a planer machine is its ability to take off a significant amount of material in a single pass, and it does this with impressive accuracy. That’s largely because you can set up several cutting tools at once, so the process is not only quicker but also consistently precise.
• Multiple Cutting Slots: Another benefit is the presence of several cutting slots. Having more slots gives you the flexibility to perform different types of operations or handle various materials efficiently during one setup.
• Angle Cutting Capabilities: Planer machines aren’t just limited to straight cuts. If you ever need to make angled cuts, you’ll find that these machines are up for the task, letting you shape the workpiece exactly as needed for your project.

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