What is the difference between a gear shaper and a shaping machine?

A shaping machine moves a single-point tool in a straight line to cut flat surfaces and keyways. A gear shaper uses a gear-shaped cutter that rotates with the blank to generate gear teeth.

Can a gear shaper cut helical gears?

Yes, with a helical guide that twists the cutter as it strokes. Each helix angle and hand needs a matching guide on most machines.

Why use a gear shaper instead of a hob?

For internal gears, internal splines and gears next to a shoulder, where a hob has no room to run out.

Gear shaping machine: how it works, sizes, uses

A gear shaping machine cuts gear teeth with a gear-shaped cutter that strokes up and down while the cutter and the blank rotate together like two meshing gears. It can cut internal gears, splines and gears close to shoulders, which a hobbing machine cannot. CNC shapers set the stroke, feed and helical guides from a program.

Quick facts

Main types: Mechanical (change gears), CNC
Max work diameter: About 200–1,000 mm (7.87–39.37 inch) on common machines
Module range: About 0.5–8
Stroke length: About 50–200 mm (1.97–7.87 inch) face width
Helical gears: Need a helical guide matched to the helix angle
Typical accuracy: About DIN 7–9

Main parts

Cutter spindle that strokes up and down
Work table that turns the blank in step with the cutter
Indexing drive or CNC axes that keep the ratio between cutter and blank
Relief mechanism that pulls the cutter back on the return stroke
Helical guide for helical gears
Radial infeed to bring the cutter to full depth

Gear shaper or gear hobber?

	Gear shaper	Gear hobber
Internal gears	Yes	No
Run-out needed	Small	Larger
Speed on external gears	Slower	Faster
Cutter cost	One cutter per module and pressure angle	One hob per module and pressure angle

Good to know

Each helix angle needs its own helical guide on most machines
Cutter diameter limits how small an internal gear can be
Shaping is common for internal gears in planetary gearboxes
Power skiving is replacing shaping for internal gears in high volumes

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Questions

What is the difference between a gear shaper and a shaping machine?: A shaping machine moves a single-point tool in a straight line to cut flat surfaces and keyways. A gear shaper uses a gear-shaped cutter that rotates with the blank to generate gear teeth.
Can a gear shaper cut helical gears?: Yes, with a helical guide that twists the cutter as it strokes. Each helix angle and hand needs a matching guide on most machines.
Why use a gear shaper instead of a hob?: For internal gears, internal splines and gears next to a shoulder, where a hob has no room to run out.

The figures on this page are typical values for guidance, written by Diemeco from standard engineering practice. They are not a specification: confirm grades and properties with the relevant standard or the supplier's mill test certificate, and tolerances with your workshop. Last checked 18 October 2026.