A planing machine is a type of machine tool that is used to remove material from the surface of a workpiece in order to create a smooth and flat surface. The machine consists of a long bed, which supports the workpiece, and a cutting head that moves back and forth along the bed to remove material. The cutting head typically contains one or more cutting tools, such as knives or chisels, that are used to remove material from the workpiece.

Planing machines are commonly used to machine large, flat surfaces, such as those found on the tops of tables, doors, and other types of wooden furniture. They can also be used to machine metal surfaces, although they are not as common for that purpose. The machine can be operated manually or controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) system.

Planing machines can be divided into two main categories: hand-operated planers and power planers. Hand-operated planers are typically small machines that are operated by hand, whereas power planers are larger machines that are powered by electricity. Power planers are further divided into two types, surface planers and thickness planers. Surface planers are used to produce a flat surface on a board, while thickness planers are used to reduce the thickness of a board to a precise size.