Rotary Index Tables are high precision positioning tools used in special cases of milling and metalworking. Their basic function is to offer the machinist the ability to work based on fixed intervals around a horizontal or vertical axis.
By turning a lever connected to a worm-screw that is positioned under the rotary table, users can turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise in full turns. The worm-screw drives some axles that are fixed in intervals under the table, so the table is turned with great accuracy. The ratio between the worm-screw and the axles determines the maximum indexing resolution, and so the applications that each RIT is suitable for.
Unique Milling Techniques
As with every piece of tool or machinery, there are many ways to utilize RITs to create something truly unique. The talent, experience and imagination of the machinist is the main motivational factor to explore RITs further through unconventional applications. Maybe the most remarkable use is a lathe alternative. If a RIT is combined with a chuck for holding the workpiece, a tailstock to mark the center and a stepper motor to turn the table's worm-screw, you get a mini lathe!
Many also workshops use RITs for the milling of bolt head indented features of various shapes (octagonal, hexagonal etc). Operators calculate the intervals that are needed for the processing of these features and set the table accordingly.
Cutting & Drilling Uses
There are many use case scenarios that require rotary index tables to be realized properly. One of those is the cutting of arcs which is a demanding process. Using an additional compound table, machinists can controllably displace the center of milling, and by fixing the workpiece on the RIT. This allows the cutting of high precision arcs in metalworking.
If you're using an underpowered milling machine that can't drive large drills for the creation of large diameter holes, then a rotary index table can be utilized to gradually open an initially small hole into a larger one at the same precision of one time drill. The most demanding metalworking process that requires high levels of precision and accuracy is the helical machining.
Helical machining is another point where rotary index tables can prove their usefulness. Calling for high precision and demanding processing, helixes are not easily materialized using conventional tooling. To create something that takes shape in the three dimensional space, you will need to move the workpiece or the cutting tool along at least three axis (x, y, z). RITs can help on this endeavor by providing the helix stepping through their rotation. This also calls for some pre-calculation and setting depending on the helix mathematical characteristics.
Last, there is one simple purpose that rotary index tables fulfill with great success and that is the drilling of equidistant holes on a circular flange. The operator calculates the technical details based on the RIT ratio, holes number and distance of boring centers. The table is then properly configured and the holes are bored with speed and precision. If the holes diameter exceeds the drilling limitations, multiple smaller holes can be drilled using an additional compound table.
By turning a lever connected to a worm-screw that is positioned under the rotary table, users can turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise in full turns. The worm-screw drives some axles that are fixed in intervals under the table, so the table is turned with great accuracy. The ratio between the worm-screw and the axles determines the maximum indexing resolution, and so the applications that each RIT is suitable for.
Unique Milling Techniques
As with every piece of tool or machinery, there are many ways to utilize RITs to create something truly unique. The talent, experience and imagination of the machinist is the main motivational factor to explore RITs further through unconventional applications. Maybe the most remarkable use is a lathe alternative. If a RIT is combined with a chuck for holding the workpiece, a tailstock to mark the center and a stepper motor to turn the table's worm-screw, you get a mini lathe!
Many also workshops use RITs for the milling of bolt head indented features of various shapes (octagonal, hexagonal etc). Operators calculate the intervals that are needed for the processing of these features and set the table accordingly.
Cutting & Drilling Uses
There are many use case scenarios that require rotary index tables to be realized properly. One of those is the cutting of arcs which is a demanding process. Using an additional compound table, machinists can controllably displace the center of milling, and by fixing the workpiece on the RIT. This allows the cutting of high precision arcs in metalworking.
If you're using an underpowered milling machine that can't drive large drills for the creation of large diameter holes, then a rotary index table can be utilized to gradually open an initially small hole into a larger one at the same precision of one time drill. The most demanding metalworking process that requires high levels of precision and accuracy is the helical machining.
Helical machining is another point where rotary index tables can prove their usefulness. Calling for high precision and demanding processing, helixes are not easily materialized using conventional tooling. To create something that takes shape in the three dimensional space, you will need to move the workpiece or the cutting tool along at least three axis (x, y, z). RITs can help on this endeavor by providing the helix stepping through their rotation. This also calls for some pre-calculation and setting depending on the helix mathematical characteristics.
Last, there is one simple purpose that rotary index tables fulfill with great success and that is the drilling of equidistant holes on a circular flange. The operator calculates the technical details based on the RIT ratio, holes number and distance of boring centers. The table is then properly configured and the holes are bored with speed and precision. If the holes diameter exceeds the drilling limitations, multiple smaller holes can be drilled using an additional compound table.
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