National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research (NITER)

Department of Industrial and Production Engineering

Level 1 Term 1
Course Code: IPE-1108 Course Title: Workshop Practices
Experiment no :4
Name of the Experiment: Study of operation and function of a Horizontal Shaper Machine

Introduction: Shaping is a process of removing metal from surfaces in horizontal by the use of
single point tool held in a ram that reciprocates the tool in a linear direction across the work
pieces. A horizontal shaper machine is most commonly used for the purpose of shaping process.
The shaper is a machine tool used primarily for:
1. Producing a flat or plane surface which may be in a horizontal, a vertical or an angular
plane.
2. Making slots, grooves and keyways
3. Producing contour of concave/convex or a combination of these

Working Principle: In case of shaper; the job is rigidly held in a suitable device like a vice or
clamped directly on the machine table. The tool is held in the tool post mounted on the ram of
the machine. This ram reciprocates to and fro and in doing so makes the tool to cut the material
in the forward stroke. No cutting of material takes place during the return stroke of the ram.
Hence it is termed as idle stroke. However in case of a draw cut shaper the cutting takes place in
the return stroke and the forward stroke is an idle stroke. The job is given an index feed in a
direction normal to the line of action of the cutting tool.

Principle Parts of a Shaper: The principle parts of a horizontal shaper is discussed below\:
1. Base: It is the main body of the machine. It consist all element of machine. It works as pillar
for other parts. Base is made by cast iron which can take all compressive loads.

2. Ram: It is the main part of the shaper machine. It holds the tool and provides the reciprocating
motion to it. It is made by cast iron and move over ways on column. It is attached by the rocker
arm which provide it motion in crank driven machine and if the machine is hydraulic driven it is
attached by hydraulic housing.

3. Tool head: It is situated at the front of the ram. Its main function is to hold the cutting tool.
The tool can be adjusted on it by some of clamps.

4. Table: It is the metal body attached over the frame. Its main function is to hold the work piece
and vice over it. It has two T slots which used to clamp vice and work piece over it.

1
5. Clapper box: It carries the tool holder. The main function of clapper box is to provide
clearance for tool in return stock. It prevents the cutting edge dragging the work piece while
return stock and prevent tool wear.

6. Column: Column is attached to the base. It provides the housing for the crank slider
mechanism. The slide ways are attached upper section of column which provide path for ram
motion.

7. Cross ways: It consists of vertical and horizontal table sideways which allow the motion of
table. It is attach with some cross movement mechanism.

2
Specification of a shaper:

 Maximum length of stroke of ram

 Maximum horizontal travel of work table
 Maximum vertical travel
 Dimension of table working surface
 Power of the motor

Quick Return Mechanism: A quick return mechanism is an apparatus to produce a

reciprocating motion in which the time taken for travel in one direction is less than in the other.
It is driven by a circular motion source (typically a motor of some sort) and uses a system of
links and sliding joints.

Quick return is a common feature of tools in which the action is performed in only one direction
of the stroke, such as shapers and powered saws, because it allows less time to be spent on
returning the tool to its initial position.

Figure : Quick Return Mechanism

3
Conclusion: A shaping machine is used to machine surfaces. It can cut curves, angles and many
other shapes. It is a popular machine in a workshop because its movement is very simple
although it can produce a variety of work