Shaper Machine
Uploaded by
lemerouShaper Machine
Uploaded by
lemerouSafe work practices to know when using a
shaper:
Wear safety glasses with side shields, or a face shield and
foortwear.
Make sure that the shaper has a working emergency
start/stop button (e-stop) within easy reach.
Secure the work with shaper vises, parallels, hold downs or
clamps and bolts, Ensure the work is mounted squarely.
Make sure that the vice, tool, and ram are securely fastened.
Set the cutting tool properly to avoid vibration or chatter.
Stand to the side (parallel) of the cutting stroke and not in
front of it.
Use a brush or rake to remove cuttings after any moving
parts have stopped moving.
Keep the floor around the shaper free of oil and grease.
Keep the working surface clean of scraps, tools, and
material.
Keep belts, pulleys, cutters and other parts in good repair.
Replace when worn or dull.
Thing to avoid:
Do not remove cuttings or reach across the table while the
ram is moving.
Do not adjust the machine while it is operating.
Do not use bolts or nuts with stripped threads to hold down
work clamps.
Do not leave a shaper running unattended.
Do not use bare hands or compressed air to remove
cuttings.
Do not wear loose clothing, gloves, neckties, rings, bracelets
or other jewellery that can become entangled in moving
parts. Confine long hair.
Parts
Base
Driving pulley
Collumn
Table
Cross feed
Vertical feed
Vice
Crossrail
Saddle
Tool post
Tool
Clapper box
Tool slide
Ram adjustment nut
Ram locking handle
Ram
1. Base
Description: The bottom part of the machine.
Function: Provides stability and support for the entire machine.
2. Driving Pulley
Description: A wheel that transfers power.
Function: Connects to the motor to drive the machine.
3. Column
Description: The vertical support structure.
Function: Supports the ram and other components.
4. Table
Description: The platform where you place the workpiece.
Function: Holds and supports the material being shaped.
5. Cross Feed
Description: A mechanism for lateral movement.
Function: Moves the table left and right.
6. Vertical Feed
Description: A mechanism for vertical movement.
Function: Moves the table up and down.
7. Vice
Description: A clamp.
Function: Secures the workpiece in place on the table.
8. Crossrail
Description: The horizontal support structure.
Function: Allows vertical adjustment of the work table.
9. Saddle
Description: The part that rides on the crossrail.
Function: Supports the table and allows it to move.
10. Tool Post
Description: The holder for the cutting tool.
Function: Keeps the tool securely in place.
11. Tool
Description: The cutting component.
Function: Cuts and shapes the material.
12. Clapper Box
Description: A hinged holder for the tool.
Function: Allows the tool to lift slightly on the return stroke to avoid
dragging.
13. Tool Slide
Description: The adjustable slide for the tool.
Function: Allows precise positioning of the cutting tool.
14. Ram Adjustment Nut
Description: A nut for fine adjustments.
Function: Adjusts the position of the ram.
15. Ram Locking Handle
Description: A handle to lock the ram in place.
Function: Secures the ram to prevent movement.
16. Ram
Description: The moving part that carries the tool.
Function: Slides back and forth to cut the material
Some of important parts are discussed as under. (principal parts of a shaper
machine)
Base
It is rigid and heavy cast iron body to resist vibration and takes up high
compressive load. It supports all other parts of the machine, which are
mounted over it. The base may be rigidly bolted to the floor of the shop or on
the bench according to the size of the machine.
Column
The column is a box shaped casting mounted upon the base. It houses the
ram-driving mechanism. Two accurately machined guide ways are provided
on the top of the column on which the ram reciprocates.
Cross rail
Cross rail of shaper has two parallel guide ways on its top in the vertical
plane that is perpendicular to the rai1 axis. It is mounted on the front vertical
guide ways of the column. It consists mechanism for raising and lowering the
table to accommodate different sizes of jobs by rotating an elevating screw
which causes the cross rail to slide up and down on the vertical face of the
column. A horizontal cross feed screw is fitted within the cross rail
and parallel to the top guide ways of the cross rail. This screw actuates the
table to move in a crosswise direction.
Saddle
The saddle is located on the cross rail and holds the table on its top.
Crosswise movement of the saddle by rotation the cross feed screw by hand
or power causes the table to move
sideways.
Table
The table is a box like casting having T -slots both on the top and sides for
clamping the work. It is bolted to the saddle and receives crosswise and
vertical movements from the saddle and cross rail.
Ram
It is the reciprocating part of the shaper, which reciprocates on the
guideways provided above the column. Ram is connected to the
reciprocating mechanism contained within the column.
Tool head
The tool head of a shaper performs the following functions-
(1) It holds the tool rigidly,
(2) It provides vertical and angular feed movement of the tool, and
(3) It allows the tool to have an automatic relief during its return stroke.
The various parts of tool head of shaper are apron clamping bolt, clapper
box, tool post, down feed, screw micrometer dial, down feed screw, vertical
slide, apron washer, apron swivel pin, and swivel base. By rotating the down
feed screw handle, the vertical slide carrying the tool gives down feed or
angular feed movement while machining vertical or angular surface. The
amount of feed or depth of cut may be adjusted by a micrometer dial on the
top of the down feed screw. Apron consisting of clapper box, clapper block
and tool post is clamped upon the vertical slide by a screw. The two vertical
walls on the apron called clapper box houses the clapper block, which is
connected to it by means of a hinge pin. The tool post is mounted upon the
clapper block. On the forward cutting stroke the clapper block fits securely to
the clapper box to make a rigid tool support. On the return stroke a slight
frictional drag of the tool on the work lifts the block out of the clapper box a
sufficient amount preventing the tool cutting edge from dragging and
consequent wear. The work surface is also prevented from any damage due
to dragging
Steps in Using Shaper Machine
Step 1: Setting up the Workpiece
What to Do: Place the material you want to shape on the work table.
Why: To secure the workpiece so it doesn’t move during the cutting
process.
Step 2: Adjusting the Cutting Tool
What to Do: Position the cutting tool in the tool post and set it to the
right angle and height.
Why: To make sure the tool cuts precisely and efficiently.
Step 3: Selecting the Cutting Speed and Feed Rate
What to Do: Choose the speed at which the tool moves and the rate
at which the workpiece is fed into the tool.
Why: To ensure optimal cutting performance and prevent damage to
the tool or workpiece.
Step 4: Starting the Machine
What to Do: Turn on the shaper machine and start the cutting
process.
Why: To begin shaping the workpiece according to the desired
specifications.
Step 5: Feed Control
What to Do: Monitor and adjust the feed rate as needed during the
cutting operation.
Why: To maintain consistent cutting and ensure a smooth surface
finish.
Step 6: Completion of the Cutting Stroke
What to Do: Allow the machine to finish the cutting stroke, then turn
it off.
Why: To complete the shaping process and inspect the workpiece.