Shaping Machine – Its Mechanism, Parts and Respective Functions

What is Shaping Machine?

Shaping machine is a machine designed for giving desired shapes to the surfaces that may be horizontal, vertical and flat. A shaping tool is used to cut in curves, different angles, and many other shapes. A disc is responsible for the tool rotation which results in the forward and backward movement. The cutting tool is used to give the shape to the hard surface of metal or wood by removing the excess material.

Working Mechanism of Shaping Machine

The shaping machine operates in the reciprocating type of machine function. Here the work piece is fixed on the machine table and the cutting tool is placed on the work piece. Reciprocating movements over the work piece results in forward and backward strokes. Forward stroke is responsible for cutting action over the object and backward movement is responsible for restoring its position without any cutting action.

Description of Parts of Shaping Machine with its Functions

Working Mechanism of shaping machine is very simple but effective. The parts responsible for its working along with its functional importance are listed below.

Base: The base of shaping machine is kind of bed to hold the different parts of shaping machine, it is made up of cast iron since the strength of a base is very important. The base bears the vibration shock of forward and backward movement of stroke responsible for shaping action.

Body: Body of the machine consists of pats named Pillar, Frame, and Column. The body of the shaping machine is affixed on the base of the shaping machine. The column is also made up cast iron and it is box shaped part which is placed on the base. Column plays the covering role and supports the reciprocating movement in the operation of the machine.

Cross ways: These are the sideways affixed vertically and horizontally across the table to allow the movement of the table.

Stroke adjuster: Stroke adjuster absorbs the vibration shock of stock by controlling the length of the stroke.

Cross rail: The cross rail is affixed on the front part of the body which can be moved in an upward and downward direction. It enables to perform shaping operation at different positions.

Ram:  The Ram is responsible for the reciprocating action of the column sideways. Forward and backward movement of ram is called a stroke.

 Table: A table is kind of flat body affixed over the frame to hold the work piece on which shaping action needs to be performed,

Clapper box: It is used to carry the shaping tool holder. Clapper box is responsible for the smooth and hindrance free movement of backward stroke to prevent the damage in the form of wear and tear.

How the shaping task is performed over the object

A Shaping machine’s task is based on the stroke mechanism. Forward stroke performs the action and backward or return stroke brings back the tool to its original position for the next forward stroke. The working of a shaping machine is expressed in below points.

  1. First and foremost task is to place the work piece on the table.
  2. After that cutting tool is placed in the tool holder mounted on the Ram
  3. It is time to supply power by starting the motor for performing a reciprocating action.
  4. In the reciprocating action cutting tool performs the task on work piece and removes the extra material from the work piece to get the desired shape.
  5. Here forward stroke performs the shaping action on the work piece by cutting the extra material and backward stroke or return stroke does not perform cutting action, it is kind of restoring stroke for the next actionable forward stroke.

Various Types of Shaping Machines

Shaping machines types are classified basis it motion type, Ram travel, table design, and the type of cutting stroke.

  • Shaping machine classified under the type of Motion are Crank, Geared and Hydraulic.
  • Shaping machine classified under the type of Ram Travel are Horizontal and Vertical
  • Shaping machine classified according to the design of the table are Standard and Universal.
  • Shaping machine classified according to the type of stroke are Push and Draw.

EssKay machines and tools are one of the most renowned industrial machine manufacturer in India. They manufacture quality CNC machines, shaper machines, milling machines, surface grinder machines, Lathe machines and several others.

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