A rotary table is similar to an indexer, but it is designed to hold objects to its surface with t-slot clamps. They are fairly inexpensive (check your MSC catalog), but the suckers can get heavy. An indexer generally uses a collet system to hold the material. It is mostly for drilling hole patterns in round materials, and they can be quite expensive. I have both, and I use my rotary table about 20 times more than my 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.
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.
Indexing tables are a type of rotary table. An indexing table has ability to index to differnt degrees of rotation via mechanical stops (or electro mechanical).
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.
With some 30 years working in a machine shop wearing many hats, I'll put in my .02.
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.
With the advent of CNC machines the terms rotary and indexer have become synonymous with each other.
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.
When you need to rotate a part when cutting, use a rotary table. Most of these either manual or CNC will have a worm gear drive. An indexing table or head is designed to move an accurate amount and be locked. In the manual world a spindle is positioning by hand or worm gear and a plate and pin are used to stop the rotation in a specific place. In the CNC world several different methods can be used to rotate the spindle and either a shot pin or a toothed coupling is used to lock the rotation. Most indexing devices do not allow for machining when rotating and will handle greater off axis torque from milling or drilling.
Another form of ratary table is called a "superspacer."
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.
