Detailed explanation of the types and applications of planers

Detailed explanation of the types and applications of planers

In the field of mechanical processing, planers, as a common machine tool equipment, play an important role. It can plan the plane, groove or formed surface of the workpiece. Today, let’s take a deep look at the various types of planers.

1. Classification by structural characteristics
(I) Shaper
The shaper is one of the more common types in the planer family. It is named because its ram and tool holder are shaped like a bull’s head. Its planer is mounted on the tool holder of the ram for longitudinal reciprocating motion, while the worktable is for lateral or vertical intermittent feeding motion. It is mainly used for cutting various planes and grooves, especially for planing small and medium-sized parts with a length of no more than 1000 mm.
The shaper has the characteristics of easy adjustment, but because it is single-edged cutting, the cutting speed is low, and it does not work during the return stroke, so the production efficiency is relatively low, and it is generally used for single-piece small batch production. Its planing accuracy is generally between IT9-IT7, the surface roughness Ra value is 6.3-3.2μm, and the maximum planing length is its main parameter. According to the length of the workpiece that can be processed, the planer can be divided into three types: large, medium and small. Small planers can process workpieces within 400 mm in length, such as the B635-1 planer; medium planers can process workpieces with a length of 400-600 mm, such as the B650 planer; large planers can process workpieces with a length of 400-1000 mm, such as the B665 and B690 planers.
(II) Gantry planer
The gantry planer is named for its gantry frame structure consisting of a top beam and columns. The worktable carries the workpiece through the gantry frame for linear reciprocating motion. It is mostly used to process large planes, especially long and narrow planes. It is also often used to process grooves or the planes of several small and medium-sized parts at the same time.
Large gantry planers are usually equipped with components such as milling heads and grinding heads, which enable the workpiece to complete multiple tasks such as planing, milling and grinding after one installation, greatly improving the processing efficiency. The main motion of the gantry planer is the linear reciprocating motion of the worktable, while the feed motion is the intermittent movement of the tool. According to the different structural forms, gantry planers can be divided into single-arm gantry planers and double-arm column gantry planers. In addition, the tool holder on the crossbeam of the gantry planer can make a lateral feed motion on the crossbeam guide rail to plan the horizontal surface of the workpiece; the side tool holder on the column can make a vertical feed motion along the column guide rail to plan the vertical surface, and the tool holder can also deflect a certain angle to plan the inclined surface, and the crossbeam can also be raised and lowered along the column guide rail to adjust the relative position of the tool and the workpiece.
(III) Single-arm planer
The single-arm planer has a single column and a cantilever, and the worktable makes a longitudinal reciprocating motion along the bed guide rail. It is mainly used to process workpieces with a large width that do not need to be processed over the entire width.
(IV) Slotting machine (vertical planer)
Slotting machine is also called vertical planer, which is mainly used to process the inner surface of workpieces, such as keyways. Its structure is similar to that of a planer, but the slotting cutter of the slotting machine makes linear reciprocating motion in the vertical direction. In addition to intermittent feed motion in the longitudinal and transverse directions, the worktable can also make intermittent rotary feed motion in the circumferential direction.

2. Classification by transmission method
Planers can also be divided into two categories: mechanical transmission planers and hydraulic transmission planers. Mechanical transmission planers include planers, gantry planers and slotting machines; hydraulic transmission planers include planers and slotting machines.

3. Other special types of planers
(I) Edge planer
Edge planer is used to plan the edge of large steel plates. It is a specialized planer commonly used in industries such as shipbuilding and pressure vessel manufacturing. Its worktable remains stationary, the workpiece is clamped by a pneumatic clamp, the tool head installed on the slide moves toward the two horizontal guide rails at the front of the base, and the tool on the trolley moves back and forth over the edge of the plate for planing.
(ii) Planer
The planer is mainly used for planing punches and complex-shaped workpieces, and can meet the processing needs of some special-shaped workpieces.
(iii) Split-bed planer
The split-bed planer consists of two workbenches on the bed, which can reciprocate individually or together. This feature makes the split-bed planer more flexible in operation and suitable for batch production work that requires the same work to be performed. For example, when processing, the workpiece can be loaded onto one of the workbenches, and the other workbench reciprocates to perform finishing through the cutting tool. After the work is completed, the workbench stops and then the two workbenches are moved to the final position. For heavy and large work, the two workbenches can also be clamped together and reciprocate under the tool to improve production efficiency and processing quality.
(iv) Double-shell planer
The double-shell planer is one of the types of planers commonly used in many workshops. It includes a long and heavy base with precisely machined guide rails that allow the workbench to reciprocate on it, and the length is twice the length of the table. Two vertical shells are installed on both sides near the middle of the bed, and the top is connected by a crossbeam. In the horizontal crossbeam, two tool heads slide on the vertical face of the housing, these heads can be operated in the horizontal or vertical direction by electric or manual means to provide feed. In addition, two more tool heads are placed on the vertical face of the housing, which can move in the vertical and horizontal directions to provide feed. The double shell planer can be driven using mechanical or hydraulic devices.
(V) Open edge planer
The open edge planer has only one housing on one side of the base. Compared with the double shell planer, this machine can be equipped with three tool heads, and the single housing occupies the entire space, which has strong rigidity and robustness. The cross rail carries the tool head, which can move up and down, left and right, and can slide vertically along the housing rails. Another tool head is mounted on the housing and moves in the same direction as the other tool head.
(VI) Pit planer
The pit planer has a huge structure in which the workbench remains in a stationary position in the pit. The uprights carrying the crossbeam reciprocate on the horizontal rails on both sides of the workbench. The workbench of this machine is designed to withstand very heavy work, as it is flush with the floor, which helps to load heavy work easily. The crossbeam has two tool heads that can move vertically and horizontally for cutting, and the drive screw drives the column through the motor.

4. How to choose the right type of planer
When choosing a planer, you need to consider multiple factors to ensure that the selected equipment can meet the specific processing needs.
Workpiece size and shape: For small and medium-sized workpieces, a bullhead planer is a good choice; for large workpieces, a gantry planer is more suitable. If you need to process the inner surface of the workpiece or a complex shape workpiece, you can consider a specialized planer such as a slotting machine or a planing machine.
Processing accuracy requirements: Different types of planers have different processing accuracy. If you have high requirements for processing accuracy, you need to choose a planer with a higher accuracy level and equip it with corresponding measurement and control systems to ensure that the processed workpiece meets the design requirements.
Production efficiency requirements: In mass production, in order to improve production efficiency, you can choose equipment with higher production efficiency such as a gantry planer or a split bed planer. At the same time, you can also consider using a CNC planer to achieve an efficient processing process through automated programming and control.
Budget constraints: The price of a planer varies depending on factors such as type, brand, and specifications. When choosing a planer, you need to weigh the performance and price of different planers based on your own budget constraints and choose the most cost-effective equipment.

In short, there are many types of planers, each with its own unique characteristics and scope of application. In practical applications, we need to choose the appropriate type of planer according to specific processing requirements to improve production efficiency and processing quality and meet the customized needs of different customers.