How do the standards of woodworking planers differ from those of metal cutting planers?

How do the standards of woodworking planers differ from those of metal cutting planers?
In industrial production, woodworking planers and metal cutting planers are both common processing equipment, but they have significant differences in many aspects. This article will explore the differences between the two planers in depth to help you better understand their respective characteristics and application scenarios.

1. Different processing objects
Woodworking planers: Mainly used for processing wood and wood materials, such as various boards, square materials, etc., for operations such as planing the base surface and thickness planing of wood. It is an indispensable basic equipment in the wood processing industry, providing a precise and flat surface for subsequent processing procedures.
Metal cutting planers: Used to process various metal materials, such as steel, cast iron, non-ferrous metals, etc., it can plan the plane, groove, forming surface, etc. of metal workpieces. It is widely used in machinery manufacturing, mold processing, automotive parts manufacturing and other fields to meet different needs in metal processing.

2. Different cutting tools
Woodworking planers: Usually use planers made of high-speed steel or carbide. These tools have good wear resistance and sharpness, and can efficiently cut wood fibers. For example, common planer materials include W18Cr4V high-speed steel, which has high hardness and good toughness and can maintain good cutting performance for a long time. At the same time, the planer shapes of woodworking planers are various, such as flat planers, pressure planers, etc., which can be selected and installed according to different processing requirements.
Metal cutting planer: mostly use carbide tools or ceramic tools, which have higher hardness and wear resistance to cope with the high hardness and toughness of metal materials. Carbide tools can maintain good cutting performance and dimensional stability when cutting metal, while ceramic tools have higher heat resistance and chemical stability, which are suitable for high-speed cutting and difficult-to-process materials. The tool shape of metal cutting planer is relatively simple, generally single-edged planer, but there are also special-shaped tools designed according to different processing requirements.

3. Different structural designs
Woodworking planer: It consists of a bed, front and rear workbenches, planer shaft, guide plate, transmission system, etc. The front workbench is lower than the rear workbench, and the height is adjustable. The thickness of the planing layer is controlled by adjusting the height difference between the two. The guide plate is used to guide the feed direction and processing width of the workpiece, and its angle can also be adjusted as needed. For example, when processing inclined surfaces of different angles, it can be achieved by adjusting the angle of the guide plate. In addition, the bed and workbench of the woodworking planer need to have sufficient strength and rigidity to ensure stability and precision during processing, and also consider the convenience and safety of operation, such as setting up protective devices.
Metal cutting planer: It is mainly composed of a machine body, a workbench, a planer frame, a transmission mechanism, etc. The workbench is used to install and fix metal workpieces, and the planer frame performs reciprocating linear motion on the guide rail of the machine body through the slide to plan the workpiece. The body and guide rails of the metal cutting planer need to have high rigidity and precision to ensure the stability and processing accuracy of the planer in high-speed reciprocating motion. In addition, in order to improve production efficiency and processing quality, the metal cutting planer is also equipped with a corresponding cooling system and chip removal device to timely remove cutting heat and chips and reduce the impact on the processing surface.

4. Different processing accuracy
Woodworking planer: The processing accuracy can generally reach a high level, which can meet the dimensional accuracy and surface quality requirements in wood processing. For example, a precisely adjusted woodworking planer can control the thickness error of the wood within a very small range, and the planed surface is smooth and flat, providing a good foundation for subsequent processes such as piecing and veneer. Its processing accuracy is usually measured by indicators such as the tolerance of planing thickness, flatness, and straightness. For some high-precision woodworking planers, the planing thickness tolerance can be controlled within ±0.05mm, and the flatness and straightness can also reach a higher standard.
Metal cutting planer: The processing accuracy is different from that of woodworking planers. The processing accuracy of ordinary metal cutting planers is generally at the IT8~IT7 level, and the surface roughness Ra value is 1.6~6.3μm. However, when a wide blade is used for fine planing on a gantry planer, the processing accuracy can be greatly improved, the surface roughness Ra value can reach 0.4~0.8μm, and the straightness can reach 0.02mm/m. However, compared with woodworking planers, metal cutting planers have different requirements and control methods for processing accuracy, mainly because the processing difficulty and cutting characteristics of metal materials are different from those of wood, requiring higher equipment accuracy and more precise tool adjustment to ensure processing quality.

5. Different cutting speed and feed rate
Woodworking planer: The cutting speed is relatively fast, because wood is a soft material and can be cut at a higher speed, thereby improving production efficiency. Usually, the planer shaft speed of a woodworking planer is relatively high, generally around tens of thousands of revolutions per minute. For example, the planer shaft speed of some common woodworking planers can reach 3000~10000r/min. At the same time, the feed rate is also relatively fast. According to factors such as the hardness of the wood and the planing thickness, the feed rate can be adjusted within a certain range to achieve efficient processing.
Metal cutting planer: Due to the high hardness and strength of metal materials, the cutting speed is subject to certain restrictions and is generally relatively low. Its cutting speed mainly depends on factors such as tool material, workpiece material, and cutting depth. For example, when using high-speed steel tools to process steel, the cutting speed is usually in the range of tens of meters per minute, while when using carbide tools, the cutting speed can be appropriately increased. In terms of feed rate, the feed rate of metal cutting planers is relatively slow, usually expressed in millimeters per revolution or millimeters per minute. It is necessary to make a reasonable choice based on the processing requirements and tool durability to ensure processing efficiency and quality.

6. Different safety protection requirements
Woodworking planer: During the processing process, wood chips and dust will be generated, so it is necessary to be equipped with effective dust collection and chip removal devices to ensure the cleanliness of the working environment and the health of the operator. At the same time, in order to prevent accidental injuries from the planer, the woodworking planer is usually equipped with safety protection devices such as protective covers and guardrails to isolate and protect the planer. In addition, operators need to wear appropriate personal protective equipment when operating woodworking planers, such as goggles, dust masks, earplugs, etc., to prevent wood chips from splashing, dust inhalation and noise from causing harm to the body.
Metal cutting planer: Since high-temperature, high-pressure cutting fluid splashes and high-speed cutting chips will be generated during metal cutting, safety protection requirements are more stringent. Metal cutting planers need to be equipped with complete protective devices, such as closed protective covers and safety doors, to prevent cutting fluid and cutting chips from splashing and injuring people. At the same time, guardrails should be set around the machine tool to prevent operators from entering dangerous areas by mistake. When operating metal cutting planers, in addition to wearing personal protective equipment such as goggles and earplugs, operators also need to wear protective gloves, anti-smashing shoes, etc. to deal with possible unexpected situations and ensure safety during operation.

7. Different related standards
Woodworking planer: In China, the relevant standards include GB/T 13569-2008 “Woodworking machine tools – Planer – Terms and precision”, which stipulates the terms, definitions and precision requirements of woodworking planers, and provides a unified technical basis for the design, manufacture, inspection and use of woodworking planers, ensuring that the quality and performance of woodworking planers meet the needs of the wood processing industry.
Metal cutting planer: The precision classification of metal cutting machine tools follows GB/T 25372-2010 “Metal cutting machine tools – Precision classification”, which stipulates the precision level of metal cutting machine tools and is applicable to all types of metal cutting machine tools, including planers. According to the machining precision requirements of the workpiece being processed, the machine tool is divided into six absolute precision levels according to the absolute classification method, represented by Roman numerals VI, V, IV, III, II, and I, among which grade VI has the lowest precision and grade I has the highest precision. For each type of machine tool, on the basis of the absolute accuracy level, it should also be divided into three relative accuracy levels according to the relative grading method, represented by the Chinese pinyin letters P, M, and G, to meet the diverse needs of different users for the accuracy of metal cutting planers.

8. Application scenarios and industry needs are different
Woodworking planer: Mainly used in the wood processing industry, such as furniture manufacturing, building decoration materials production, wooden door and window manufacturing, solid wood flooring production and other fields. In these industries, woodworking planers are used for preliminary and fine processing of wood to meet the size and quality requirements of different products. For example, in furniture manufacturing, woodworking planers can be used to plan the thickness of the board to meet the design requirements. At the same time, ensure the flatness and smoothness of the board, and create good conditions for subsequent assembly, grinding and painting processes.
Metal cutting planer: It is widely used in machinery manufacturing, mold manufacturing, automobile parts processing, aerospace parts manufacturing and other industries. In machinery manufacturing, metal cutting planers can be used to process the planes, grooves, step surfaces, etc. of various metal parts, such as machine tool guides, mold cavities, automobile engine blocks, etc. It can meet the requirements of metal parts in terms of precision, surface quality, dimensional stability, etc., and plays an important role in ensuring the performance and quality of mechanical products.

9. Different equipment maintenance and maintenance requirements
Woodworking planer: Since wood chips and dust are generated during wood processing, these impurities can easily enter the various parts of the machine tool, causing problems such as component wear and jamming. Therefore, the maintenance and maintenance of the woodworking planer focuses on regularly cleaning the wood chips and dust inside the machine tool, and checking and lubricating various transmission parts, such as bearings, gears, and lead screws, to ensure the normal operation and service life of the machine tool. At the same time, it is necessary to regularly check the wear of the planer and replace the severely worn planer in time to ensure the planing quality. In addition, the electrical system and dust collection system of the woodworking planer should also be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent electrical failures and reduced dust collection effects from affecting production.
Metal cutting planer: The metal cutting planer will produce high-temperature, high-pressure cutting fluid and metal cutting chips during the cutting process. These substances will have a greater impact on the components and precision of the machine tool. Therefore, in addition to the routine contents such as cleaning chips, checking and lubricating transmission parts, and replacing worn tools, the maintenance and care of metal cutting planers also need to pay special attention to the cleaning and replacement of cutting fluids. The contamination of cutting fluids will lead to corrosion of tools and workpieces, increased wear of machine tool parts, and other problems, affecting the processing quality and equipment life. In addition, precision parts such as guide rails and lead screws of metal cutting planers need to be regularly inspected and adjusted to ensure that the processing accuracy and repeat positioning accuracy of the machine tool meet the requirements.

10. Price difference
Woodworking planer: The price is relatively affordable. Generally speaking, the price of an ordinary light woodworking planer is between several thousand yuan and ten thousand yuan, the price of a medium-sized woodworking planer is between ten thousand and thirty thousand yuan, and the price of a heavy-duty woodworking planer may be more than thirty thousand yuan. The specific price will vary depending on factors such as brand, model, and function. Because the structure of the woodworking planer is relatively simple, the technology is highly mature, and the market supply is relatively sufficient, its price is at a relatively low level among similar machine tools, which can meet the needs of the majority of wood processing companies.
Metal cutting planer: The price is relatively high. Usually, the price of an ordinary metal cutting planer is around 50,000 to 100,000 yuan, while some high-precision, large-size gantry planers may cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of yuan. This is because metal cutting planers have higher requirements in structural design, manufacturing accuracy, tool system, cooling system, etc., and the production cost increases accordingly. At the same time, the technical content and added value of metal cutting planers are relatively high, and the market requirements for their performance and quality are also more stringent, so the price is relatively high.

Summary
There are significant differences between woodworking planers and metal cutting planers in terms of processing objects, cutting tools, structural design, processing accuracy, cutting speed and feed rate, safety protection requirements, relevant standards, application scenarios and industry needs, equipment maintenance and maintenance requirements, and prices. These differences determine their respective application characteristics and advantages in different fields. For enterprises and practitioners engaged in wood processing and machinery manufacturing industries, understanding these differences will help to better select suitable equipment, improve production efficiency and product quality, and meet market demand.
In actual production, it is necessary to select suitable planer equipment according to specific processing tasks and material characteristics. If you are a wood processing company and want to improve the efficiency and quality of wood processing, a woodworking planer is undoubtedly your ideal choice; if you are engaged in the machinery manufacturing industry and need to perform high-precision planing on metal materials, a metal cutting planer is more suitable for your needs. At the same time, no matter which planer equipment you choose, you need to use and maintain it in strict accordance with the equipment’s operating procedures and maintenance requirements to ensure the normal operation and service life of the equipment and maximize its value.