kitno455:
The Centering Cones were a common feature of most Travelling Head Shapers. They were a standard feature of all of the larger Hendey T.H. Shapers. A fairly fine "pick feed" is used to rotate the Cones allowing for a smooth cylindrical surface. The same system is used with Slotters and with the necessary accessories, can be done on a Planer. Because of the basic design of the drive system to the Cones, accurate indexing, as used for gear cutting or spline work, isn't practical. One nice advantage of doing cylindrical work with this kind of shaper set-up, is you can start it running and go do something else. Since the longitudinal feed is disconnected, the
Ram will stay in one position and the work will just keep rotating until you return.
Hendeyman