Planing is a process of manufacturing in which a smooth flat surface is produced in a material by moving a sharp tool back and forth (reciprocating motion) across its surface. An example would be a carpenter who removes material and creates a smooth surface in wood by moving a jackplane across it. Planing is similar to shaping. In shaping, the material is rubbed against a stationary tool while in planing it is the tool, which moves across the material.
