Product Overview
A rotary table is a versatile machine tool accessory that provides rotational movement to a workpiece mounted on a milling or drilling machine. Unlike indexing tables that lock into fixed positions, rotary tables offer continuous rotational capability, allowing operators to machine arcs, circles, and complex curved profiles with precision. They mount directly to the machine bed and feature a graduated dial for accurate angular measurement. These tables are fundamental tools in metalworking shops for producing bolt hole circles, gear profiles, and helical cuts.
Types and Features
Manual rotary tables feature hand-cranked worm gear drives with graduated dials and vernier scales for precise angle setting, making them affordable and widely used in job shops. CNC rotary tables integrate servo motors and encoders for programmable continuous rotation as a fourth axis, enabling complex contour machining under full CNC control. Tilting rotary tables add a secondary tilt axis allowing compound angle machining, typically tilting from horizontal to vertical positions. Oil-pressure brake tables provide superior clamping rigidity during heavy cutting operations. Sizes range from compact 100mm tables for engraving to large 630mm tables for heavy industrial milling.
How to Choose
Consider whether you need manual or CNC-controlled operation based on your production volume and complexity requirements. Evaluate the table diameter relative to your typical workpiece size, ensuring adequate T-slot patterns for fixturing. Check the worm gear ratio, as higher ratios provide finer angular resolution but slower rotation speeds. For heavy milling operations, prioritize tables with robust clamping systems and high load ratings. Verify spindle bore size if through-hole workpiece mounting is required for your applications.
Replacement and Installation
Remove the existing table and thoroughly clean the machine bed surface, checking for burrs or damage on the mounting area. Position the new rotary table and align it using a dial test indicator sweeping across the table surface to ensure parallelism within tolerance. Secure mounting bolts in a star pattern to distribute clamping force evenly. For CNC tables, connect the servo motor cables and encoder feedback wiring to the machine controller. Perform a full rotational sweep test and verify angular accuracy against known reference points.
Maintenance Tips
Keep the worm gear properly lubricated with the specified grease to minimize wear and maintain smooth operation. Regularly check and adjust the worm gear backlash using the adjustment mechanism to compensate for normal wear over time. Protect the precision ground table surface from rust by applying a light film of machine oil when not in use. Inspect T-slots for damage from overtightened clamps and clean chip accumulation from the gear housing seals. Periodically verify the accuracy of the graduated dial and vernier scale against known angular standards.
