Indexing is a defined movement, stated in degrees of rotation, or angular movement. Typically with an indexer, there are plates that attach to the rear of the device that will only allow positive movement when a pin is released and re-engages in a specified hole in the plate.
Rotating is a defined movement, stated in degrees of rotation, that can be continuously turning, or movements greater than 90*.
For example, you have a 4" workpiece chucked in your rotary table, and need to drill 6 holes about the circumference. You could index the table 60 degrees, with a stop for each operation, before being re-engaged for the next operation.
OR...
You have a 4" workpiece chucked in your rotary table, and need to engrave a serial number and company logo around the circumference. You could use full-rotary mode to engrave these on your workpiece using specified moves, usually implemented by a program generated by CAM software, that choreographs the various axes movements. |