rotary table automation manufacturer

Cam Indexer Technology is Sankyo Automation’s specialty. We’re continuously working to develop new, innovative technologies in motion control. Our collection of high-speed, high-precision rotary indexing solutions are frequently utilized in manufacturing systems that require accurate, high speed actions.

In 1996, Precision Detroit Company established a relationship with WEISS GmbH. WEISS has been manufacturing high quality index tables for decades and is the leading automation component manufacturer in Europe today.

In August, 2007, WEISS GmbH established WEISS North America, Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary. On September 30, 2007, WEISS North America, Inc. acquired the assets of Precision Detroit Company, Inc. relative to its PDC Geneva Motion index tables and its network of sales representatives throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Today, WEISS North America is not only a rotary table manufacturer but your complete automation manufacturer and solutions partner. WEISS has decades of expertise in providing automation, drive and control solutions to industrial markets. WEISS offers industry-specific, cost-effective and efficient technology solutions to help you maximize your efficiency, increase your productivity and achieve optimal system performance. We understand that your application has unique processes and specific requirements and we work closely with you to develop the perfect automation solution for your particular needs.

Successfully competing in our increasingly competitive global environment requires strategy, innovation and proven reliability from a partner that you can trust. Give us a call at 888-WEISSNA, fill out the form above, schedule a call below or simply send us an email to discuss your automation needs.

Rotary Indexers & Servo Positioning Turntables for Robotic Work Cells Gate- CDS designs and manufactures precise work positioning systems for robotic welding cells and other advanced systems in automated manufacturing. These robust rotary positioning tables are utilized in robot work cells where around the clock 24/7 performance and reliability are a must. Gate- CDS indexing tables & servo turntables are designed to meet the heavy duty, high production demands of robotic welding work cells. We offer a wide range of different model sizes of Cylindrical Cam Driven or Servo Controlled Rotary positioners ranging in capacity from 200 pounds to 20,000+ pounds. The typical number of positional stations for a Cylindrical Cam Driven indexer include 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 positions, with other numbers of stations also available as standard. Whereas our Servo Controlled Rotary Tables provide flexible positioning for any number of stations.

Boasting a 1300 mm footprint, the TO1300 suddenly makes larger scale applications possible that previously seemed out of reach− as current direct-drive tables are relatively small and limited to a diameter of 750 mm. Additionally the TO1300’s high-tech drive operates predominantly without mechanics or gearboxes.

For challenging tasks of this nature, a mechanical heavy duty table is typically the logical choice. Due to their gearing ratio, however, these tables don’t fare well in service life calculations for use at such high speeds as the needle bearings simply suffer from too much wear.

The correct alternative is a direct drive; which inspired the development of the TO1300. With a direct drive, only one bearing is under load which is virtually free of backlash. The table is low-wear and easily capable of delivering the desired dynamic performance requirements.

Unique to the TO1300 is that customers can customize it to their individual requirements. For example; they can make a modular selection between bearings, encoder and motor, and thereby alter the following table characteristics:

Configured in a uniquely robust design, the TO1300 offers new possiblities for high-speed automation applications such as: lighting, automotive, cleanroom, small gear assembly, switches/sockets, and electronic components.

A specialist in automation, WEISS also offers many sizes for the TO series direct-drive rotary indexing tables; ranging from small to very large. Optimal solutions for specific application challenges can be achieved from the series wide range of options. Each TO model is also available in a version with a cleanroom certificate.

Corporate Profile: An integral part of the Weiss global network, Weiss North America (ISO-9001 Certified) leverages over 45 years of reliable world-wide expertise to comprise an integrative, customer-specific approach to its vast array of electromechanical products. Our 100% vertical range of manufacturing ranges from rotary indexing tables, handling systems, and linear assembly systems−providing flexible technology for turnkey solutions that incorporate electronics, mechanical systems, software, and comprehensive engineering support. This enables us to provide pre-installed, intelligent, and highly convenient solutions for the entire field of kinematics.

Many rotary table manufacturers outsource gear fabrication to lower costs. While that strategy may offer short term cost savings, Index Design’s American made rotary tables are built with gears cut in house. This is the only way to closely monitor and control tolerances, consistency and performance.

Our rotary tables incorporate large diameter high tensile bronze worm gears mated against hardened steel drive shafts. The combination of metal gives superior wear properties for long lasting operation. As the rotary table is run, the properties of a tin bronze gear develops a low friction deposit on the mating steel drive shaft. These deposits fill in microscopic pores of the mating surface. Over time, as these deposits are embedded on the surface, wear decreases followed by a reduction in frictional forces within the gear assembly.

In addition, the data gathered from our automated calibration procedure allow our engineers to assess, monitor and improve the static and dynamic performance of prototype rotary tables during the design phase.

Our engineers have a long and rich history in the machine tool business, they combine decades of both CNC machine tool and rotary table manufacturing experience with the latest design tools to produce rotary tables with superior performance and dependability.

Our CAD/CAM software is used to analyze displacement and stress for each component, sub-assembly and total assembly. However, the best software and technology is worth next to nothing if no one understands the craftsmanship. This is particularly true when manufacturing precision rotary tables which involves many steps. Despite all the modernization and automation available, a large part of the manufacturing process is still completed by hand. At Index Designs, we understand and appreciate craftsmanship, It is designed and built into our products.

For over 50 years, Pfiffner has been developing rotary transfer machines that offer high precision and flexibility, marketing the most cost-effective solutions for high-volume workpieces. Thanks to our solution-oriented approach, well-developed expertise in the market, and a passionate innovative spirit, we"ve established ourselves as a leading partner for innovative industry sectors all around the world. Our success is based on a clear vision: We always remain a leap ahead of the times, ensuring satisfied customers every single day.

Indexing tables are used in a multitude of industries and in numerous applications. Their design is optimal for many manufacturing jobs, and they are a critical component in most automated manufacturing systems. Indexing tables are best defined as a machine tool positioning device. They carry components in a manufacturing environment with a repeating process of indexing (rotating) around an axis, stopping, dwelling while an operation is performed, then indexing again to repeat the process. They are usually made of circular steel plates, with one or more spindles, a drive system, encoders, sensors, controllers and slots or mounting holes to hold components.

Virtually any manufacturing operation can be performed on a part held by an indexing table including welding, grinding, drilling, assembly, painting, inspection, testing and more. In order to maximize operational efficiency, the machine doing the operation must also be built for the same intended application as the indexing table for them to work in synch. Similarly the machine that loads the indexing table with parts must also be synchronized. They must have the same capacity and be able to manage to the same dwell time for the system to work.

Industries that use indexing tables include automotive manufacturers, bottling companies, microchip manufacturers, pharmaceutical makers, consumer products companies and many more. They are invaluable to manufacturers pushing for automation and increased efficiency in their factories, turning work that used to take days into work that takes only hours. If a simple assembly task is required on small parts in a factory, there is no better way to complete the task than by coupling an assembly tool and an indexing table.

Rotary indexing table use is widespread in automated assembly machinery and selecting the proper mechanism is essential for both maximizing performance and minimizing the cost of this critical component. This how-to-guide will explore two common devices that can be used for rotary indexing and give advice for proper selection. These two popular devices are cam indexing drives and servo rotary tables.

Cam indexers are a ubiquitous mechanism that have been used for rotary tables for many decades. They are a great fit for applications that will always index the same angle and that require high-precision positioning at a very reasonable cost. A cam indexer uses a mechanical cam to provide the motion control to position the load. A mathematical motion curve is machined onto the cam that provides extremely smooth and repeatable motion.

A cam indexer has two main modes of operation. One mode is referred to as “Cycle-on-Demand”. This indicates that the camshaft will be cycled one revolution at a time to advance the output one position at a time. This is typically achieved by using an inexpensive camshaft sensor package to detect camshaft position and a VFD to stop and start the motor. The camshaft dwell period offers a wide window for the camshaft to stop without affecting the position of the output. To cycle the indexer, a PLC gives a command to the VFD to accelerate the drive motor to a preset speed, the cam rotates one revolution indexing the output, a sensor sends an in-position signal to the PLC, and the PLC signals the VFD to stop the camshaft during the cam dwell position. The table will be in the dwell position for however long is necessary to complete the work at each station. The dwell time can range from a fraction of a second to several minutes or hours depending on the application. This combination allows very accurate positioning with an inexpensive drive system.

A fully programmable servo rotary table is another common option. There are two specific cases where a servo rotary table is advantageous. The first is when a flexible motion pattern is required. An example is two different products being run on one machine that each require different indexing patterns. The other situation that suits a servo indexer is when extremely fast positioning is required followed by a long dwell period. A cycle-on-demand cam indexer is limited by the need to accelerate the camshaft up to speed during the dwell period before output motion is started. There are practical limitations to how fast the camshaft can be accelerated so there will be a delay before motion is started. With a servo rotary table, the output rotates as soon as the servomotor starts moving. A practical example would be a load being indexed 90 degrees in 0.25 seconds. This is not difficult for a continuous cam indexer or a zero-backlash servo indexer, but a cycle-on-demand cam indexer may struggle with that motion. For quick servo indexing applications, a preloaded gear reducer with zero-backlash is critical to achieving smooth indexing motions with minimal settling time. A zero-backlash RollerDrive mechanism would be an optimal choice to achieve accurate positioning with great dynamic response.

For either style of indexer, application information including moment of inertia, indexing angle, indexing time, and dwell time is required. A reputable manufacture should then be able to properly size the rotary table for the application.

We combine rotary index tables with industrial automation systems so each task of your manufacturing process blends seamlessly into the next. For example, in the past we’ve created industrial automation systems that join rotary indexing machines with pick-and-place units for some of our clients. Contact us to see what we can do for you.

Rotary indexers are just one part of the equation when building a custom assembly cell. It’s important to remember the entire scope of the project and be cognizant that the rotary table should be able to move precise distances before stopping cleanly, with no backlash or wobbling. It needs to be balanced and capable of handling the tasks at hand.

Our automation experts have years of experience in consulting with our customers to create machines that suit their needs. We incorporate rotary tables from industry leaders like WEISS, Fibro, and Camco into our machines to create the perfect fusion of form and function. Our dedication to quality is unmatched in the world of custom machinery.

We seamlessly integrate rotary indexing tables into our automated machinery to provide you with custom solutions that work for your business. If you’re looking to take your manufacturing process to the next level, give the custom machine builders at Paramount Tool a call at (616) 582-5300 today. We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about our rotary indexing machines or the machine building process as a whole. For a free quote, fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.