Description of Indexer
I have been working on a rotary table indexer to use on my milling machine. The indexer is one designed by 'Kwackers' aka Steve on the CNC zone forum. Several members of the forum offered suggestions for variations and I have incorporated some of these in my own indexer.
The Assembled Indexer
Basically it is an electronic device with a pre programmed chip which operates a stepping motor which in turn is connected to the rotary table in place of the handwheel.
I have built the circuit, programmed the PIC chip with the firmware (program to drive the stepper), purchased an inexpensive Chinese stepping motor drive unit and a suitable motor. All I need to do now is to connect the motor to the rotary table. However the table needs a bit of simple modification to ensure accuracy but that should not be too expensive. It will also require a mounting adapter making as well as some kind of connector between the motor shaft and drive shaft of the table (Oldham Coupling or similar to allow for slight misalignment).
Inside the Box
I have taken quite a few pictures of the process so I will write a few posts on the making of the device in sections so that anyone could follow the process. Where possible I have used simple processes and techniques in order to make the making of the unit accessible to most.
As well as driving a rotary table it could also be used for other purposes such as controlling the table of the milling machine or operating other devices. I have thought of using it to drive an equatorial mount for a telescope and there must be many other uses for such a device, especially if you are able to program the PIC for your own purposes and there must be suitable open source programs available.
