Rotary table or deviding head

[JpBinc]

Hello all
I have a question! I have a small x3 mill that I have converted to a 3 axis cnc. I am now looking to add a 4th axis to it. I am not really sure what the differance between a rotary table and a dividing head/indexing head is. I plan to drive it with a stepper. Thanks

[kawazuki]

Originally Posted by JpBinc Hello all I have a question! I have a small x3 mill that I have converted to a 3 axis cnc. I am now looking to add a 4th axis to it. I am not really sure what the differance between a rotary table and a dividing head/indexing head is. I plan to drive it with a stepper. Thanks

An indexing head is a purely mechanical way of seperating a circle / rotary motion into fixed regular divisions on a manual table. The stepper driven rotary table will perform the same function and much more without all the attached 'mechanical devices' given a suitable driving program

[mc-motorsports]

A dividing head has dead stops set at certain intervals? Vs. a rotary table will just rotate and is "clocked" using a vernier scale and a mechanical clamp.

[Coatsie]

www.rpiuk.com sales, high precision rotary tables.

[JpBinc]

The deviding head just looks a lot beefer. I realize I would not be using the hole plates.
Thanks guys