Overview
A rotary table is a versatile machining accessory that allows a workpiece to be rotated precisely around a fixed axis, enabling the machining of circular features, arcs, and evenly spaced holes. Mounted on milling machines, drill presses, or surface grinders, rotary tables expand the capability of standard machine tools by adding a rotational axis. These tables are used extensively in aerospace, automotive, and general machining for operations such as cutting circular slots, machining cam profiles, drilling bolt circles, and generating helical features. The precision and rigidity of a rotary table directly influence the quality and accuracy of the finished workpiece.
Types and Features
Rotary tables are available in manual and CNC-controlled variants. Manual rotary tables feature a handwheel with a graduated dial and vernier scale for precise angular positioning, typically with a worm gear drive that provides high reduction ratios. CNC rotary tables integrate servo or stepper motors with encoders for programmable rotation synchronized with the machine control. Horizontal rotary tables mount flat on the machine bed for vertical axis rotation, while vertical rotary tables orient the workpiece face horizontally. Tilting rotary tables add a second axis of tilt adjustment for complex compound angle machining. Universal rotary tables can be positioned at any angle between horizontal and vertical. Table diameters range from compact 4-inch models to
