Hollow Bore Rotary Indexers

A hollow bore rotary indexer is a precision mechanical positioning device. It features a central through-hole in the output table and drive shaft. This bore permits routing of pneumatic lines, wiring, or laser beams. The mechanism uses a precision cam follower or gear set for motion. A servo or stepper motor rotates the table to discrete angular stations. In fact, many high-precision applications rely on Hollow Bore Rotary Indexers for flexibility and versatile motion control.

 Engineering breakdown of TallMan Robotics Hollow Bore Rotary Indexers

Hollow Bore Rotary Indexers are equipped with a hollow central bore, which allows for the passage of cables, pipes, or other components through the center of the device.  Such rotary Indexers are specialized mechanical devices used in various industrial applications to provide precise rotational positioning. This design is particularly useful in applications requiring unobstructed central access for various purposes.

FAQs about Hollow Rotary Actuators

• How does the indexing motion occur mechanically?

A motor drives a precision ground cam inside the housing. Cam followers on the output turret convert rotation into intermittent motion. The cam profile determines dwell time and index speed. Or a strain wave gear set provides the reduction ratio. The output bearing supports heavy eccentric loads during indexing. A servo motor controls the acceleration and deceleration ramps. The table stops rigidly at each programmed station, illustrating the advanced mechanics behind hollow bore rotary indexers and their performance.

• Why choose a hollow bore over a solid table indexer?

The center hole simplifies routing of utilities to the tooling. You run air tubes and sensor cables up through the middle. This keeps the machine footprint clean and hazard free. It eliminates the need for expensive rotary unions in some cases. Solid tables require all connections from the outer edge only. Hollow bore design protects delicate fibers or laser optics inside. It reduces the height profile of the overall machine center. When you consider challenging environments, choosing rotary indexers with a hollow bore provides a distinct advantage.

• What is the difference between cam indexing and servo indexing?

Cam indexers provide fixed mechanical stops with absolute repeatability. They require changing the cam for different station counts. Servo indexers allow software changes to stop positions and timing. They offer more flexibility for multiple part recipes. Cam units handle heavier shock loads due to rigid geometry. Servo units excel at smooth motion profiles and long moves. Cam units cost less per station for dedicated high-volume machines. In practical terms, hollow bore rotary indexers can be based around either technology to suit unique requirements.

• What are typical applications for this device?

Automated assembly lines use them for multi-station dial tables. Welding cells rotate large fixtures around a fixed torch. Medical device manufacturing uses them for clean syringe filling. Electronics testing moves circuit boards between probe stations. Food packaging rotates cartons under fill nozzles quickly. Laser marking systems index parts into the beam path. Any process needing circular transfer benefits from the center hole. For instance, hollow bore rotary indexers are often found in the automotive, electronics, and medical device industries for their efficiency.

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