1. A shaper is a machine tool used to produce flat surfaces on workpieces through the reciprocating motion of a toolhead. The first metalworking shaper was developed in 1836. 2. Shapers are classified based on the mechanism that provides reciprocation, the position and travel of the ram, the design of the work table, and the type of cutting stroke. 3. Common types include crank-driven shapers, gear-driven shapers, hydraulic shapers, horizontal shapers, vertical shapers, and universal shapers that allow for additional angles of machining.

2. Introduction
The
shaper
is
a
reciprocating
type
of
machine
tool
intended
primarily
to
produce
flat surfaces. These surfaces may be
horizontal, vertical, or inclined. In
general, the shaper can produce any
surface composed of straight line
elements. Modern shapers can generate
contoured surface.
The metal working shaper was developed
in the year 1836 by James Nasmyth an,
Englishman. SHAPER MACHINE

3. Types Of Shapers
Shapers are classified in number of ways
depending upon the general features of
design or the purpose for which they are
intended. Shapers are classified under
the following headings.
A. According to the type of mechanism
used for giving reciprocating motion to
the ram: - (a) Crank type (b) Geared type
(c) Hydraulic type.
B. According to the position and travel of
ram: - (a) Horizontal type (b) Vertical
type (c) Traveling head type.
C. According to the type of design of the
table : (a) Standard shaper (b) Universal
shaper.
D. According to the type of cutting
stroke: - (a) Push type (b) Draw type.
WORKING SHAPER MACHINE

5. 1. Table support, 2. Table, 3. Clapper
box, 4. Apron clamping bolts, 5.
Downfeed hand wheel, 6. Swivel base
degree graduations, 7. Position of stroke
adjustment handwheel, 8. Ram block
locking handle, 9. Ram, 10. Column, 11.
Driving pulley, 12. Base, 13.Feed disc,
14. Pawl mechanism, 15. Elevating
screw.
Universal Shaper
In a universal shaper, in addition to the
two movements provided on the table of
a standard shaper, the table can be
swiveled about an axis parallel to the
ram ways, and upper portion of the
table can be tilted about a second
horizontal axis perpendicular to the first
axis. As the work mounted on the table
can be adjusted in different planes, the
machine is most suitable for different
types of work and is given name “
Universal “ . A universal is mostly used
in tool room work.
SHAPER MACHINE

6. Toolhead
The toolhead of a shaper holds the tool
rigidly, provides vertical and angular
feed movement of the tool and allows the
tool to have an automatic relief during
its return stroke. The vertical slide of the
swivel base which is held on a circular
seat on the ram. The swivel base is
graduated in degrees, so that the vertical
slide may be set perpendicular to the
work surface or at any desired angle. By
rotating the downfeed screw handle, the
vertical slide carrying the tool executes
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 downfeed screw.
TOOLHEAD

7. Apron consisting of by a screw. By
releasing the clamping screw, the apron
may be swiveled upon the apron swivel
pin either towards left or towards right
with respect to the vertical slide. This
arrangement is necessary to provide
relief to the tool while making vertical or
angular cuts. The two vertical walls on
the apron called clapper box houses the
clapper block which is connected to it by
means of 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 on the work lifts the block –out
of the clapper box a sufficient amount
preventing the tool cutting edge form
dragging and consequent wear. The
work surface is also prevented from any
damage due to dragging.

8. Automatic Feed Mechanism
In a shaper both downfeed and crossfeed
movements may be obtained. Unlike a
lathe, these feed movements are
provided intermittently and during the
end of return stroke only. Vertical or
bevel surfaces are produced by rotating
the downfeed screw of the toolhead by
hand. Crossfeed movement is used to
machine a flat horizontal surface. This is
done by rotating the crossfeed screw
either by hand or power. Rotation of the
crossfeed screw causes the table mounted
upon the saddle to move stroke so as
bring the uncut surface of the work in
the direct path of the reciprocating tool.

9. Shaper and its types
A shaper is machine used for producing flat
surfaces on the given work piece. It can also be
used for doing any type of machining operations
but with little difficulty. The shaper cuts the
metal
by reciprocating motion of the tool carrying ram.
The first metal working shaper was developed by
James Nasmyth in the year 1936
Types of shapers
Shapers are classified according to various
aspects.
1) Based on type of mechanism employed for the
movement of the cutting tool i.e. tool carrying
ram the shapers are classified in to three types
a. Crank type
b. Gear type
c. Hydraulic type
2) According to position and movement of ram
the shapers are classified in to three types
a. Horizontal type
b. Vertical type
c. Travelling head type

10. 3) Shapers are classified in to two types based on
design of the work table
a. Standard shaper
b. Universal shaper
4) Based on type of cutting stroke employed these
are classified in to
a. Push type
b. Draw type
Crank type shaper
In these shapers the reciprocating ram is driven
by crank mechanism. In this a single point cutting
tool is employed to do the operation. A crank is
connected to the ram and the bull gear to which
the power is given through an individual motor.
These are most common type of shapers being
used. The reciprocating length of tool will be
always is equal to the length of stroke.
Gear type shaper
These are the rarely used shapers. In these
shapers a rack and pinion are employed the rack
is attached to the lower part of the ram and on
which the pinion moves. The power is transmitted
from the bull gear. A grain train is engaged for
the transfer of power from the bull gear to pinion.

11. Hydraulic type shaper
These shapers run on hydraulic power. The end of
the ram is connected to a piston fitted in to a
cylinder. Oil is fed in to the cylinder initially the
oil acts in one direction and the ram moves in one
direction. A varying pressure is applied on the oil
so as to obtain the reciprocating motion of the
ram. One of the main advantage of this shaper is
a constant speed can be obtained from the
starting of the machining operation. There will be
no fluctuations in the cutting speed and stroke of
the ram. Another important advantage of this
shaper is no sound will be produced hence a
noise free environment can be obtained.
Horizontal shaper
As the name indicates these shapers have the
motion of ram along the horizontal axis. This type
of shapers is generally used for generation of fine
and flat surfaces.

12. Vertical shaper
In these shapers the tool containing ram has its
motion in vertical direction. In some of the
shapers a provision of 100 rotation of the ram is
also provided. In vertical shaper the ram may be
driven by various types like crank driven, screw
driven, gear driven, or by hydraulic power. Vertical
shaping machines finds many applications in deep
hole boring, machining internal surfaces, keyways,
grooves etc. vertical shaper has a very robust
table which can have cross, longitudinal, and
rotational movement. The tool used on a vertical
shaper is totally different from that of the normal
tool which is employed on a horizontal shaper.
Travelling head type shaper
This type of shaper is generally employed for
machining very large objects that cannot be
mounted on the table of the machine and cannot
be moved. In this machine the ram having
reciprocating movement also provides crosswise
movement simultaneously such that the tool can
cut the required shape on the work piece.

13. Standard shaper
In these shaper the table has only two
movements i.e. vertical and horizontal. The table
may or may not be supported on the other end.
These are not generally used
Universal shaper
In these shapers in addition to the above
mentioned two movements of the standard
shaper it provides two more directions.
1) By swelling the table about a axis ram ways.
2) The table can be tilted about an axis
perpendicular to the 1 st one
So due to these two features any operation at any
angle can be performed very easily. So due to
these features the shaper is termed as a universal
shaper
Push type shaper
It is one of the most commonly used shaper. In
this the metal is removed when the ram is
moving away from the column. This type of
shaper pushes the work piece while removing the
work piece away from it so this shaper is called
as push type shaper.

14. Draw type shaper
It is just a converse of the push type shaper. In
these machines the metal is removed from the
work piece when the ram is moving towards the
column. So due to this the work piece takes a
force in the direction towards the column of the
work piece. Due to this action the forces over the
column and bearings are somewhat reduced. The
tool is required to be mounted in opposite
direction to the normal conditions. The vibrations
on machine components are also damped to
some extent.