ganro rotary table manufacturer

GANRO makes every rotary table based on this concept from every single part to a complete rotary table. Even a small screw will decide if a machining center can achieve the most profitable function.

From 1978, Golden Sun Industrial Co., ltd. maintains quality and value in making rotary tables utilizing advanced technologies, GANRO Industrial Corp, was established in 2008 to meet the high standard and demands from our customers all over the world. The spirit of pursuing perfection of Golden Sun is fully passed on to GANRO.

GANRO is convinced that a perfect work isn’t made without a foundation. As everyone knows that German and Japanese manufacturers keep most strict standards to make rotary tables. Their standards and attitudes to make rotary tables are GANRO’s motive power that keeps GANRO walking forward.

GANRO has the courage to uphold the spirit of the challenge and example the experience of OEM with famous European US and Japanese companies to mark a whole new record like our maxim “Gain the road to success”, GANRO not only pursues the invention of advanced technology and strict inspection of quality control, but also keeps putting ideas into practice.

CNC Tilting Rotary Tables are two axes (4th & 5th Axes) units and can rotate the component in two axes making a machine capable of accessing the areas which can not be reached with only 3 axes. Tilting tables can also interpolate with machine axes to generate profile such as impellers. Using Tilting Rotary Table a standard 3 axes machine can be converted into a 5 axes machine.

The new CNC Rotary Table from GANRO has got higher speed and higher clamping torque. Thus making it suitable for machining complex components like turbine blades, when used in synchronous with machine axes.The new CNC rotary table DR Series has got better aesthetics. Further provides higher productivity and are available with Right Hand, Left Hand or Rear Motor mounting arrangement.

Brand new model with pinion gear and two bearing. High load bearing design with high loading capacity that increases the Life time making th transmission more effective. campact design is suitable for limited room

"Big size embedded table to make 5 axis simultaneous machining function which is economic benefits investment. HPD series is suitable for large size of vertical or horizontal machining center and can enhance the machining acccuracy and cut the machining time. Immediate effect can be obtained.

Ganro.eu is the European operation of Ganro Taiwan, providing technical support, sales and service for the full range of Ganro products. Ganro realise that it is important to have local support for its customers to provide confidence in the power and performance of the Ganro brand and the importance Ganro places in making sure its customers feel secure in the knowledge we are nearby should you need us.

Our company has been a specialized manufacturer of CNC Rotary Table since its establishment in 1978. We provide CNC Rotary Table and CNC Index Table, available in Vertical & Horizontal Type.

This device is ideal for the smaller VMC machine up to and including around 760 in X. Due to the carrying capacity however, if you have a larger VMC and are doing relatively light work you could mount this device on a raiser block and swing larger diameters than its standard design suggests. The usual collision issues only generally appear with the older DC motorised machines where the motors are much longer than the digital counterpart, such as the Bridgeport VMC with SEM motor on the Heidenhain TNC370 controlled devices. The Ganro model type R can be used in vertical and horizontal applications, the motor is mounted to the right side of the device and therefore can be laid on its back. The Ganro model type R is a full contouring 4th axis device. Can be controlled directly from the machine tool control or via a separate programmable box via M signal start. All Ganro products can be prepared to suit any machine interface and connection, regardless of machine make, model or control type. Please contact our technical sales team should you need further information.

Manufacturers across the globe are always looking for reliable workholding devices to accommodate their manufacturing indexing and rotating requirements. CNC Indexing & Feeding Technologies has been proud to represent the complete Ganro Industrial Corp. (Golden Sun) product line of workholding rotary tables and indexers. Ganro has been producing a wide variety of workholding products to accommodate manufacturers for over 30 years. To help a company decide which table is best for its applications, it is beneficial to understand the proper use and capability of each workholding device. CNC Indexing and Feeding Technologies offers various Ganro workholding products.

Standard Rotary Tables: The sizes range from 120mm (4.72") to 800mm (31.49") in faceplate diameter and can be used as a full rotating axis incorporated into a machine"s control or as indexers with Ganro"s M-Mate AC servo controller. These rotary tables and indexers are all capable of being mounted in both the vertical and horizontal positions and have large thru-holes to give manufacturers maximum flexibility.

Large rotary tables: The large rotary tables are available in a range of 1000mm (40") to 2500mm (98") in faceplate diameter. They can be used as a full rotating axis incorporated into a machine"s control or as indexers with Ganro"s M-Mate AC servo controller. These rotary tables and indexers are all capable of being mounted in both the vertical and horizontal positions.

Rear Motor Mount: Ganro manufactures two of the most popular sized rotary tables with a rear mounted motor for smaller vertical machining centers. The rear motor mount rotary table design is available in the standard 170mm (6.69") and 250mm (9.84") faceplate diameters. As with other Ganro rotary tables, they can be used as a full rotating axis incorporated into a machine"s control or as an indexer with Ganro"s M-Mate AC servo controller.

CNC Indexing offers three types of Ganro standard rotary tables to accommodate a wide range of 4- and 5-axis manufacturing requirements. The standard tilt rotary table is a trunnion design with faceplate diameters ranging from 320mm (12.59") to 800mm (31.49"). This style is created to give manufacturers ample room for workholding and workpiece while providing clearance for the machine"s spindle and tool.

Compact Tilt: The compact tilt rotary table design comes in faceplate sizes of 150mm (5.90"), 200mm (7.87") and 250mm (9.84") and is ideal for smaller machining centers and smaller workpieces.

Manual Tilt: The manual tilt table is designed with a full 4th axis (rotating axis) and a manual tilting axis. It is available in sizes from 200mm (7.87") to 630mm (24.80") and is ideal if a tilting axis is only occasionally required.

Horizontal Rotary Table: This rotary table design is available with table tops ranging from 400mm (15.74") to 2500mm (98.42") square. Ganro"s horizontal CNC rotary tables can be used in various areas of manufacturing but are ideal for horizontal boring mill applications.

The HR Series design can be used as a full rotating axis incorporated into a machine"s control or as an indexer with Ganro"s M-Mate AC servo controller. They are designed for horizontal mounting only and offer high weight capacities for large workpieces.

Horizontal Index Tables: CNC Indexing offers two types of Ganro horizontal index tables for both manual and automated manufacturing processes. Both series of precision horizontal index tables use a two piece Hirth coupling design that provides superior indexing accuracy while maintaining high rigidity during heavy cutting.

CNC Index Table: The CNC Index Tables are clamped and unclamped with hydraulics and are designed to be incorporated into a machine"s CNC control or operated with Ganro"s M-Mate AC servo control system.

Manual Index Tables: The Manual Index Tables are clamped and unclamped pneumatically or hydraulically. Once unclamped the series is manually indexed to the desired degree and securely clamped into position.

Face Gear Rotary Tables: The Face Gear Rotary Tables are manufactured with a three piece Hirth coupling design to avoid lifting during rotation. The use of a Hirth coupling allows for the mounting of heavy loads while offering high rigidity and high accuracy. These tables are primarily used in applications incorporating a strong tailstock and a tombstone or fixture plate. It can be integrated into a machine"s control or operated through Ganro"s AC servo controller.

The index tables are available in four faceplate sizes (250mm, 320mm, 400mm and 500mm). Ganro rotary tables can provide a solution for rotating and indexing small workpieces to large workpieces, for vertical and horizontal applications, for 4-axis and 5-axis work and for manual and automated applications. Ganro products give manufacturers the capability of improving the manufacturing process by accessing multiple workpiece faces in one clamping. This improves workpiece accuracy and reduces manufacturing cycle times.

Ganro Industrial Corp., formally known as Golden Sun Industrial, has introduced their new DR Series model of rotary tables and indexers and are available from CNC Indexing & Feeding Technologies. The new series of rotary tables and indexers range in faceplate diameter size from 120mm (4.72") to 2,500mm (98.42"). The vast range of available sizes accommodates the majority of manufacturer"s requirements. All DR Series rotary tables can be utilized in the vertical or horizontal position to increase manufacturing flexibility.

The DR Series features a more compact base which uses less of the machining envelope allowing more machine table space for workpieces and additional workholding equipment. All Ganro rotary tables are now standard with larger center thru-holes to accommodate larger workpieces.

Manufacturers worldwide are always looking for the most reliable workholding devices on the market to accommodate their indexing and rotating needs. At CNC Indexing & Feeding Technologies, we are proud to carry the complete product line of Ganro Industrial Corporation’s workholding rotary tables and indexers

For more than 30 years, Ganro (Golden Sun) has been providing the world with a wide range of products to meet any manufacturing needs. To meet those needs, a manufacturer must know which table is the right choice and understand the proper use and capabilities of the different styles of equipment.

With sizes ranging from 120mm (4.72”) to 2500mm (98”), these rotary tables and indexers are capable of both vertical and horizontal mounting and have large thru-holes to offer maximum flexibility.

At CNC Indexing, you have the choice of three different types of Ganro standard tilting rotary tables that can accommodate most 4th/5th axis manufacturing needs. These include:

Standard Tilting Rotary Tables: With sizing available from 320mm (12.59”) to 630mm (24.8”), this table offers ample room for the workpiece while also providing clearance for the machine’s spindle and tool.

Compact Tilting Rotary Tables: Coming in 150mm (5.90”), 200mm (7.87”) and 250mm (9.84”) sizes, these tables are ideal for the smaller machining center and workpieces.

Manual Tilting Rotary Tables: Available in sizes from 200mm (7.87”) to 630mm (24.80”), this manual rotary table is designed with full 4th axis and manual tilting axis that is perfect when tilting capabilities are only occasionally needed.

With table tops ranging from 400mm (15.74”) to 300mm (118”) square, Ganro’s horizontal CNC rotary tables are useful in a wide range of manufacturing needs. The tables are designed for horizontal mounting only, and have the added benefit of withstanding extremely heavy workpieces. They are particularly suited to horizontal boring mill applications. These horizontal rotary tables can be used as a full rotating axis integrated into the machine’s CNC controller, or utilized as an indexer with Ganro’s M-Mate AC servo controller.

Our line of precision horizontal index rotary tables come in two different types, both of which use a two-piece Hirth coupling design that offers superior indexing accuracy while still maintaining a high level of rigidity during heavy cutting.

CNC Index Rotary Table: These index rotary tables are clamped and unclamped with hydraulics. They are designed to integrate into a machine’s CNC controls, but can also be operated with Ganro’s M-Mate AC servo control system.

Manual Index Rotary Table: This line of manual rotary tables can be clamped and unclamped either pneumatically or hydraulically. When unclamped, the table is manually indexed to the required degree and securely clamped into place.

Available in 250mm, 320mm, 400mm and 500mm sizes, these rotary tables are designed with a three-piece Hirth coupling for no-lift rotation. This design allows for mounting heavy workloads while still getting high rigidity and accuracy. These rotary tables are typically used in applications that incorporate a strong tailstock and tombstone or fixture plate, and can be integrated into the machine’s CNC controls or operated through Ganro’s AC servo controller.

From large to small workpieces, horizontal and vertical applications, 4th and 5th axis work, and manual or automated applications, CNC Indexing & Feeding Technologies has the right rotary tables and machine tools accessories to meet any needs.

Call 513.770.4200 today to learn more about our Ganro products today and start giving your manufacturing business increased capability, improved accuracy and reduced manufacturing cycle times.

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The improvements to the entire HR series means the horizontal rotary tables can now handle larger and heavier workpieces. The company, for instance, has expanded its HR-3030 CNC horizontal rotary table"s dimensions, with the table now measuring 118.11 in and the table swing diameter 153.75 in. The maximum workload capacity is now 110,230 lb.

Ganro has also upgraded other characteristics. The entire HR series features more powerful motors and a newly designed hydraulic braking system. The worm shaft and worm gear have been altered to reduce friction and improve transmission. All changes are aimed at improving operation and lengthening machine tool life.

The HR series tables are designed for horizontal boring mill applications with large, high-weight workpieces. More information about the Ganro series, which is distributed in the United States by CNC Indexing & Feeding Technologies, can be seen here.

GANRO Industrial Corp. is a specialized provider and designer of cnc rotary table, cnc index table, cnc tilting rotary table, horizontal cnc pallet rotary table, auto pallet changer, etc. We adopt the most strict standards as our German and Japanese rivals do to make our products. GANRO has the courage to uphold the spirit of the challenge and example the experience of OEM with famous European, US and Japanese companies to mark a whole new record. Like our maxim "Gain the road to success", GANRO not only pursues the invention of advanced technology and strict inspection of quality control, but also keeps putting ideas into practice.

Job shops may believe that all CNC rotary and index tables are essentially alike. As a result, they often base their selection on price and hope they can use their machining creativity to maximize a rotary or index table.

However, to expand the capabilities of their machine tools when purchasing new ones or retrofitting existing equipment, considering the quality of a table’s sealing, braking and bearing systems and how those systems impact a shop’s current and projected applications can pay big dividends down the road. Shops are also wise to consider the effectiveness of a cable management system—which ensures a rotary table is always connected to the machine without operator intervention and extends connector life—when palletizing tables.

“The initial quality of the rotary table makes a big difference,” said Lee Flick, national sales manager for HPI-Pioneer, “especially at job shops.” The Elk Grove Village, Ill., company supplies CNC rotary and index tables from Yukiwa Seiko Inc., Japan.

Predictably, many end users—especially shops on limited budgets—push the limits of a rotary table’s weight capacity and capability. “Some of our customers will put a car on a little table and try to turn it,” Flick quipped. But by specifying the correct rotary table for the job, shops can extend equipment life while reducing maintenance issues and continuing to machine high-quality parts.

After 2 years of operation, the inside of a Yukiwa rotary table (left) with an automatic air-purge system and a competitor’s table without a purge system.

A table axis’ lack of durability and inadequate clamping power can cause out-of-tolerance features and rough surface finishes. One solution is a dual-bearing system that supports the table on the front and rear with large bearings, according to Flick. Even with an overhanging weight load, this design prevents the table from leaning, he added.

One of the key factors that determine the life span of a rotary table is how well it is sealed against potential contaminants, such as metalworking fluids. Flick noted the most common rotary table service is repairing electronics damage caused by coolant infiltration. “Within 20 years I believe the market will be dry cutting,” he said. “But as long as coolants are involved, sealing is extremely critical.”

Flick indicated that there are three basic sealing arrangements: sealing just the motor cavity, sealing the entire table and sealing the table and incorporating an automatic-purge system similar to check-valve pressure on an airplane. “You pressurize the cabin and if you were to get a leak, it blows outwards,” he said, adding that a rotary table with that type of seal typically lasts twice as long as one that doesn’t, whether it’s an entry-level or higher quality table.

HPI-Pioneer President Nobu Kiriyama explained that the Yukiwa air-purge system uses the 70-psi shop air that also supplies a table’s braking system and enables a table to effectively function when submerged for EDMing. For those applications, an optional nickel-plating is appropriate when the table is submerged in water-based dielectric fluid.

Of course, chips, swarf and other debris produced during cutting can abrade any seal material and provide a passageway for contaminants into a table’s inner mechanisms. Therefore, John Arnestad, tooling product manager for Koma Precision Inc., recommends against aiming a high-pressure coolant line at a seal or an area where a seal is located to reduce that risk. The East Windsor, Conn., company supplies rotary tables from Tsudakoma Corp., Japan, which have seals directly behind the faceplate. The tables also have a metal cover that shields the main seals to decrease the chance of debris abrasion.

For high-pressure coolant applications, Rotec Tools Ltd., Millwood, N.Y., recommends a labyrinth seal on the rotary table. Rotec distributes rotary tables from Peter Lehmann AG, Switzerland. Ivo Straessle, Rotec president, noted the air-supported labyrinth seal attaches to the spindle nose of the table, extending the standard spindle seal, and creates an air cushion underneath the seal to keep coolant out. “We prefer oil-based over water-based coolants because they’re not so aggressive on the rotary tables,” Straessle said. “Many water-based coolants attack seals, cables and electrical components.”

In addition, Lehmann rotary tables have an air-purge seal on the motor housing, and the gear housing has a positive oil pressure at all times. “That makes it very difficult for debris or coolant to penetrate the seal system from the outside,” Straessle said.

To ensure longevity of the rotary table and its sealing system, pressure is reduced to the internal components of the pressurization system during rotation on most of the table models offered by L.C.M. Srl, Italy, said Mike Bickham, president of distributor ITI Tooling Co. Inc., Ramsey, N.J. Then, the pressure increases when the table reaches the preprogrammed working positions.

Cutaway of a Lehmann rotary table: 1) The clamping ring applies 360° equal clamping force on the rotary axis; 2) the rotary axis; 3) the preloaded radial and axial needle bearings; 4) the gear train; and 5) the standard spindle seal, which can be extended with a labyrinth seal for high-pressure coolant application.

Unless it’s an older table, coolant infiltration behind the rotary table seals isn’t an issue in 99 percent of machining applications, according to Jamie Schwarz, national sales manager for CNC Indexing & Feeding Technologies, Mason, Ohio, which offers Taiwanese-made Ganro rotary tables. A combination of oil seals, O-ring seals and silicone caulking keeps contaminants out of the tables’ inner workings, and the company offers an air-purge system as an option.

When coolant penetrates a rotary table, it can short out a servomotor, and fine chips can wreak wear-related havoc on the brake, worm wheel, worm shaft and other parts. “That can get expensive when you start replacing internal components that are important to the table’s accuracy and repeatability,” Schwarz said.

Pressure also comes into play when selecting the appropriate braking system for a rotary table. According to HPI- Pioneer’s Flick, two basic variations exist: a disc brake system and a hydraulic version that provides higher braking pressure than a disc brake. Although hydraulic systems are prevalent, he pointed out that the company offers models with the less-typical air-over-hydraulic booster inside the table’s motor cover, eliminating the need for a hydraulic pump or other external hydraulic supply. Instead, 70-psi shop air does the trick. This is because the table clamp mounted inside the air-hydro structure boosts the hydraulic pressure and achieves higher clamping power simply by providing air pressure. (See image below.)

“The higher the braking pressure, the more aggressive machining you can perform on the rotary table,” Flick said. “Hydraulic boosters are becoming more common because people want to machine harder and harder on the table.”

He added that there’s no angular pressure on any braking system when using a rotary table to cut on-center, but the type of system makes a significant difference when machining off-center because the pressure created on the cutting location increases based on its distance from the center. Hydraulic systems permit more aggressive cuts, even when machining farther out on the table.

The heavy-duty, zero-backlash braking systems on the rotary tables from ITI Tooling can use hydraulic pressure up to 870 psi, according to Bickham, but 580 psi is more typical. In addition, the tables can use an air supply together with an air-over-oil intensifier, which provides benefits because shop air is generally more readily available and is restricted to a safer pressure than a hydraulic system. Bickham added that whether it’s an air- or a hydraulic-actuated brake, the brake operates in the same manner by expanding a 360° pressurized sleeve that wraps around the table’s center axle, holding it rigidly in place.

Cost considerations can play a prominent role when selecting a rotary table’s braking system. The disc brake is the most popular type because repairs are fairly inexpensive, according to CNC Indexing’s Schwarz. The repair is usually performed on tables 10 years and older used for heavy machining, he said. “We can get the repair done within a day for a few hundred dollars.”

With the air-over-hydraulic brake system in Yukiwa’s rotary tables, the increased hydraulic pressure can achieve stronger clamping power by providing air pressure.

Arnestad indicated that Koma offers several braking system options. Called the RNE series table, the pneumatic, dual-disc system is the most economical, while offering good accuracy and a good torque drive, he noted. The mid-range RNA series table has a dual-taper clamping system that uses a pressure intensifier, where a ring of ball bearings are captured between the clamping ring and the piston.

“The piston has an angular feature on it, as well as an angled member inside the braking system so, as the piston moves forward, it displaces that ring of ball bearings and triples the clamping force,” Arnestad said. This enables taking heavier off-center cuts without the fear of the rotary faceplate turning under force.

Arnestad added that the hydraulic, dual-disc clamping system, called the RBA series table, is the company’s most robust. “That’s targeted for high-volume production,” he said, “where they need to hold very close tolerances and want to machine at the fastest rate possible.”

According to Rotec’s Straessle, Leh-mann rotary tables have the same braking system for any application, using a built-in air-over-oil intensifier. This booster coverts 90-psi shop air into more than 4,000 psi of hydraulic pressure, he added, and a clamping ring equally applies 360° clamping force to the rotary axis. “A high clamping force allows high feed rates and high workpiece accuracy.”

End users can also increase machining parameters when a rotary table’s bearing configuration enhances table rigidity. For example, preloaded axial and radial needle bearings in front of the table next to the spindle nose and preloaded axial needle bearings in the rear of the spindle (all inside the gear housing) provide a high level of rigidity, Straessle explained. Preloading eliminates the undesirable “give” for the bearings in the axial and radial directions. “This design allows the customer to work with heavy workpieces and, at the same time, reduces overall vibration,” he said.

According to Arnestad, a cross-roller bearing construction provides the best rotary table support. “It gives better stiffness and less runout than, say, tapered roller bearings, which have a chance of losing their preload over time,” he said.

Yukiwa rotary tables from HPI-Pioneer have a dual-bearing system, where two sets of bearings at both ends of the body provide triple-contact support and the largest angular contact bearing is underneath the table face to enhance bearing support.

In terms of runout, HPI-Pioneer’s Kiriyama noted the bearings in Yukiwa’s rotary tables provide a 0.0001" runout and are the same grade as the ones machine tool builders use for their spindles. According to the company, the tables have a dual-bearing system, where two sets of bearings at both ends of the body provide triple-contact support, and the largest angular contact bearing is underneath the table face to maximize bearing support.

HPI-Pioneer repairs and replaces worn bearings from its rotary tables, as well as from its competitors. “A good table will go 5 to 10 years before it needs work, just like a machine,” Flick said. “With a low-end table, you’re doing it annually. It’s that dramatic of a difference.”

Similar to a braking system, a high-quality bearing configuration effectively supports the workpiece load and machining pressure in the axial and radial directions. This proves beneficial when machining on a rotary table that’s not adequately matched to the application. “Everyone wants to buy the least expensive table they can and push it to its limits rather than going the next size up,” said CNC Indexing’s Schwarz.

When high-volume manufacturers and those performing lights-out machining use rotary tables, they often palletize the tables. In this scenario, the main consideration is the cable management system, which enables a palletized table to shuttle in and out of the machine tool without disconnecting cables while keeping them clear of the machining process, according to Schwarz. It might involve running the cables through the middle of the pallet to some sort of track system or incorporating a spring-loaded arrangement that hangs from the upper sheet metal in a machine and allows cables to extend and retract.

Most end users are quite opposed to having to repeatedly plug in and unplug a rotary table, he said. As a result, the role of a cable management system, which machine tool builders and third-party installation companies provide, is critical.

Koma’s Arnestad added that a cable management system ensures a rotary table is always connected to the machine without operator intervention, which extends connector life. “If you don’t have good cable management, the connections can fail due to abrasion or having the cables flex too much,” he said. “How many times can you plug and unplug a multiple-pin connection before somebody gets a chip underneath the unit, tries to force it on and it leaks and you have problems?”

Going cheap across the board with rotary tables pays initial dividends, but part manufacturers that skimp on quality may miss enhancing the capabilities of their machine tools—even entry-level ones. “If you put the right options on your rotary table,” Frick said, “you can make an inexpensive machine perform as well as a midrange machine.”

Because they don’t have gears and gear-related issues such as backlash, direct-drive rotary tables were expected to eventually replace worm gear-driven ones. For example, CTE’s April 2004 cover story stated, “Whatever the use, more direct-drive NC rotary tables will be purchased in the future, supplanting gear-driven units. These types of tables don’t have a gearbox, thereby eliminating the need to replace worm gears and belts, and are directly driven by the motor.”

That expectation didn’t quite materialize. Although they are quite accurate and rotate considerably faster than gear-driven rotary tables, reaching 250 rpm and higher compared to less than 50 rpm for a standard conventional table, direct-drive rotary tables lack the torque required for machining heavy parts and difficult-to-cut workpiece materials.

Therefore, the primary applications for direct-drive tables are high-volume ones that involve small, lightweight parts and light machining loads, according to Lee Flick at HPI-Pioneer, which offers direct-drive tables. In addition, the motor is essentially the brake. “To get the rpms, you give up torque and braking pressure,” Flick said.

HPI-Pioneer’s Nobu Kiriyama added that rotary table manufacturers have access to the same motors from motor manufacturers, which provide similar motor configurations and specifications. “Then, the various rotary table manufacturers are mostly assembling components and it’s harder to distinguish themselves,” he said. “Direct-drive technology is still evolving.”

Damaged direct-drive tables are also more costly to repair than gear-driven ones, because the components are more expensive than ones for standard servomotors, which can be rewound, said John Arnestad of Koma Precision Inc. “And if you get contamination inside a direct-drive rotary table, the motor is shot and the rotary table needs to be replaced.” Koma offers 5"- to 25"-dia. direct-drive tables.

Ganro also offers a direct-drive table, noted Jamie Schwarz of CNC Indexing & Feeding Technologies, but end users often view them as cost-prohibitive because direct-drive motors are expensive. “We quote it and then the customer says, ‘For that additional cost I think I can live with the standard table I have.’ ”

However, not all suppliers have a less-than-stellar outlook on direct-drive technology. ITI Tooling Co. Inc.’s Mike Bickham emphasized that for L.C.M.’s high-speed, torque-motor-driven tables, the company designs and manufactures many of the direct-drive motors it uses. He added that special direct-drive tables can be ordered that provide enhanced torque and, if needed, a wider range of speed. “There’s tremendous holding power for heavy-duty machining because the motor can be used as the brake,” Bickman said.