13 common difference between shaper, planer, and slotter

Hello, friends Today you will learn what is difference between shaper, planer, and slotter.

Shaper, planer, and slotter machines are used in the manufacturing industry to provide machining surfaces of workpieces as well as various cutting slots.

So, before knowing the difference between shaper, planer, and slotter first of all we have to know what is Shaper, Planer, and Slotter.

Without wasting any time let's get started.

What is Shaper Machine?

A shaper machine is one type of machine tool that uses the relative motion between the workpiece and the cutting tool. 

With the help of this linear motion, this machine cuts the workpiece along the linear path of the tool.  

Its cut is very similar to the lathe machine but the lathe gives us a helical cut while the shaper gives us the required linear cut.

What is Planer Machine?

A planer is a machine tool used for manufacturing precise flat surfaces and for cutting slots.  

It is similar to a shaper machine but in terms of size, the planer machine is bigger.  

The workpiece slots move here from one point to another point for operation, while the workpiece slots in the shaper machine are in a fixed position.

What is Slotter Machine?

A Slotter machine is a reciprocating type of machine tool in which the ram that holds the tools which are moves in a vertical direction.  

It is almost similar to a shaper machine. In Shaper Machine, the ram reciprocates in the horizontal direction while in a slotter machine, the ram reciprocates in a vertical direction. 

The cutting action in the slotter occurs during the downward stroke of the ram, and no cutting occurs in the return stroke and is called the ideal stroke.

Difference Between Shaper, Planer, and Slotter

There are the following 13 common differences between shaper, planer, and slotter.

Shaper	Planer	Slotter
In a shaper machine, the reciprocating motion is done by the tool.	In a planer machine, the reciprocating motion is done by the workpiece.	In a slotter machine, the reciprocating motion is done by the tool.
In a shaper machine, the reciprocating motion is done by the tool in a horizontal direction.	In a planer machine, the reciprocating motion is done by the workpiece in a horizontal direction.	In a slotter machine, the reciprocating motion is done by the tool in a vertical direction.
Both the workpiece and the tool are fed into the shaper machine.	Only tools are fed into the planer machine.	Only workpieces are fed into the slotter machine.
In a shaper machine, the value of speed varies with the cutting and return stroke, especially in the crank shaper.	The speed values ​​in both strokes are almost the same.	The speed values ​​remain almost the same.
It is a light, small and low-cost machine.	It is heavy, large and expensive.	It is a relatively medium-cost machine.
Light tools are used.	Heavy and hard tools are used.	Medium type tools are used.
A workpiece can be set up quickly and easily.	More work skill is required to set the workpiece in the planer machine.	Relatively less work skill is required to set the workpiece in the Slotter machine.
In a shaper machine, only a small workpiece can be hold.	A large workpiece can be hold on a planer machine.	A small and medium-sized workpiece can be hold on a slotter machine.
Relatively light cuts are made on this type of machine.	It has the ability to make heavy cuts.	Small and medium cuts can be made.
Less accuracy is achieved on machined surfaces due to overhanging of RAM.	Accurate surfaces are obtained due to the rigidity of the tool.	Accurate surfaces are obtained.
Only external or small internal surfaces are machined.	Only external surfaces can be machined.	Both internal and external surfaces can be machined.
Only one surface can be machined at a time.	It is possible to machine several surfaces simultaneously by using several tools.	Only one surface can be machined at a time.
This machine occupies less area on the floor.	Occupies more area on the floor.	Occupies less area on the floor.

So friends here we have to know 13 common differences between Shaper, Planer, and Slotter.

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