Rotary Tables

A Rotary Table is a precision work positioning device used in metalworking. It enables the operator to drill or mill work at exact intervals around a fixed axis. Some rotary tables allow the use of index plates for indexing operations, some can also be fitted with dividing plates that enable regular work positioning at divisions for which indexing plates are not available. A rotary table fixture in this situation is more appropriately called a dividing head. These rotary tables are commonly mounted flat onto the table of a milling machine; the workpiece is accurately centered around the rotary table’s axis, this in turn is centered around the machines cutting tool axis, making all three axis coaxial. From here the rotary table can be offset at the required dimension either in x axis or y axis. By carrying out this procedure the operator is now able to machine almost any circular form in a concentric manner. This method of machining can also be used to drill or pitch out a series of holes concentric to the centre of the workpiece.