Planing / Profiling

Planing is an old art by which metal is cut in a manner of widdling material with a single blade/cutter. This is a method long abandoned since the development of machining centers and especially with the new technology of CNC machining. There are, however, still applications in which you cannot beat this technology. Such as applications that require straight, flat and parallelism in an excessive long part. Also, the cutters are made to conform to sections of the shape being machined and can access difficult to reach areas.

Benefits of Planing over Milling, Grinding and Machining

Flatter Parts

Rough machining, releasing and reshimming in a horizontal position assures that parts are flat in a free state

Micro Finish

Up to a 63-micro finish can be easily held with tempered aluminum, brass and bronze. Iron, steel and stainless material may be rougher depending on alloy and condition.

Scalping Condition

Scalp lines approx. .001 to .0005 between lines can be an advantage for determining wear (visually) in surface plates. An air gap between lines allows parts resting on the surface to be easily moved.

Keyways & Body Lines

Planing in one continuous stroke of the table leaves a straight, parallel and consistent finish.