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Types Of Planer machine – Classification Of Planer Machine

WHAT IS PLANER MACHINE :

Like shapers, planers are also basically used for producing flat surfaces. But planers are very large and massive compared to the shapers. Planers are generally used for machining large work pieces which cannot be held in a shaper. The planers are capable of taking heavier cuts. The planer was first developed in the year 1817 by Richard Roberts, an Englishman.

Types of planer

The different types of planer which are most commonly used are:

Standard or double housing planer.
Open side planer.
Pit planer.Edge or plate planer.
Divided or latching table planer.

Standard or double housing planer

It is most widely used in work shops. It has a long heavy base on which a table reciprocates on accurate guide ways. It has one draw back. Because of the two housings, one on each side of the bed, it limits the width of the work that can be machined. Fig. 3.30 shows a double housing planer.

Open side planer

It has a housing only on one side of the base and the cross rail is suspended from the housing as a cantilever. This feature of the machine allows large and wide jobs to be clamped on the table. As the single housing has to take up the entire load, it is made extra-massive to resist the forces. Only three tool heads are mounted on this machine. The constructional and driving features of the machine are same as that of a double housing planer. Fig. 3.31 shows an open side planer.

Pit planer

It is massive in construction. It differs from an ordinary planer in that the table is stationary and the column carrying the cross rail reciprocates on massive horizontal rails mounted on both sides of the table. This type of planer is suitable for machining a very large work which cannot be accommodated on a standard planer and the design saves much of floor space. The length of the bed required in a pit type planer is little over the length of the table. Fig. 3.32 shows a pit planer.

Edge or plate planer

The design of a plate or edge planer is totally unlike that of an ordinary planer. It is specially intended for squaring and beveling the edges of steel plates used for different pressure vessels and shipbuilding works. Fig. 3.33 shows an edge planer.

Divided table planer

This type of planer has two tables on the bed which may be reciprocated separately or together. This type of design saves much of idle time while setting the work. To have a continuous production one of the tables is used for setting up the work and the other is used for machining. This planer is mainly used for machining identical work pieces. The two sections of the table may be coupled together for machining long work. Fig. 3.34 shows a divided table planer.