Difference between rotary table and indexer
Difference between rotary table and indexer
(OP)
What is the difference between a rotary table and an indexer? Is one more expensive?
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Difference between rotary table and indexer
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RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
In a rotary table you are working on moving parts while on an idexing table you are working on briefly stopped parts.
Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.
www.carbideprocessor.com
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
Something else to think about if you have a specific use in mind for either. You might be able to pick up a dividing attachment that installs on a rotary table allowing the user to select the number of stops in a revolution of the table. I used to work for a company that made it's own dividing attachments for their line of rotary tables and they were quite reliable. It depends on your application.
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
In my world of assembly automation engineering, the two terms are equivalent (sometimes). Also known as a "dial table".
A table top, not necessarily circular in shape, is mounted on a rotating device. The table has fixtures mounted to it so that, as the table rotates, a fixture is presented to a machine of some sort. At the machine, the parts are operated on. Then they index to the next station.
The rotator can be (typically) a cam-operated gizmo with motor to rotate the table a certain number of degrees on each cycle. Sometimes I have seen the rotator device something like a big stepper motor, to achieve a much more flexible positioning.
Cost: a few thousand dollars, not including the fixturing.
TygerDawg
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
The face of the table makes no difference what so ever. A rotary table by definition is a table that rotates.
An index table will rotate and lock in a programmed position (or via mechanical positioning).
There is nothing more to it then that.
Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. And scratch where it itches.
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
Indexers usually have divisions at 15 degree intervals.
While rotary tables can have resolutions down to 1 degree.
Add that to the list and now you know more than you ever wanted to about indexing rotary tables :)
Good Luck
Quote: "Its not what you know, its who you know" - anybody trying to find a decent job
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
In the CNC world, it's a matter of terminology were there are rotary tables and rotary indexers controlled by the machine. In a 4-axis CNC machine the 4th axis is the rotary table or indexer. Generally the main difference is that the indexer is programmed to lock into position before machining. Rotary tables are programmed to move simultaneously while the machine cuts. Most indexers can be used like a rotary table and visa versa. Also, small units like those who use 5C collets are sometimes referred to as indexers while larger units are called tables.
In the manual machine world, the operator controls the rotary table and indexer. There are many types of indexing devices like those already mentioned, such as dividing heads that use plates with holes for precise location. Rotary tables allow machining while tuning the table. Some rotary tables have a cross slide table mounted on top for positioning of the work piece.
With the advent of CNC machines the terms rotary and indexer have become synonymous with each other.
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
Nice input, That is exactly what I was getting at. I have used small rotary tables with 5C collets and with chucks. The mount has little to do with it.
Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. And scratch where it itches.
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
RE: Difference between rotary table and indexer
A superspacer typically has a three-jaw chuck for holding the work and a spur gear with 48 teeth providing 7.5 degree increments and a spring loaded shot-pin tooth to engage the gear and lock it into rotary position. Also slotted plates can be attached to allow the shot-pin to only engage at specific rotation angles such as every 45 degrees or every 90 degrees.
This essentially a manual machine tool accessory and depending upon size and accuracy would cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars.