How do shapers and routers make identical furniture parts?

In the furniture industry, shapers and routers ensure that multiple parts are cut exactly alike through the use of specialized forms and guides.1

To achieve identical results, the wood pieces are clamped into forms that possess the desired contour of the finished part. As these forms are moved, they ride against a guide on the shaper or router, which directs the workpiece into contact with high-speed rotating knives. This process ensures that every piece is shaped to the exact same dimensions and profile.1

By using these forms—which function similarly to jigs and fixtures—manufacturers can maintain consistency across a production run, requiring only one initial setting of the machine and a single set of cutters for all identical parts.12