Roller Dial Index Drives
Roller Dial Index Drives

Roller Dial Index Drives

Hansheng Automation Roller Dial Index Drives are high-precision cam indexing tools (reachable ±15 arc sec accuracy) that convert continuous input motion into intermittent output, ideal for automation lines, electronics, and automotive manufacturing.
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Hansheng Automation (Dongguan) Co., Ltd. is one of the most experienced manufacturers and suppliers of roller dial index drives in China. If you're going to wholesale bulk cost-effective roller dial index drives made in China, welcome to get pricelist and quotation from our factory. Also, customized service and OEM&ODM service are available.

 

Hansheng Automation is a manufacturer specializing in precision reducers and precision parts. In the field of precision reducers, we mainly provide four types of reducer manufacturing, such as cam indexer, hollow rotary table, planetary gearbox, and harmonic drive. The roller dial index drive to be introduced below belongs to the category of cam indexer, and its highest positioning accuracy can be achieved ≤ ±15 arc sec. Below I will introduce this roller indexing table in detail. If you need to know more about it, please contact us.

 

What Is A Roller Dial Index Drive?

 

Roller dial index drive-also called roller cam indexing table,is a high-precision indexing tool. Its function is transform continuous input motion into intermittent output motion, therefore realizing exact indexing functioning of mechanical equipment. Its basic working principle is to drive the dial to complete the placement through the especially built cam and roller mechanism, thereby satisfying the requirements of many different complicated manufacturing lines.

 

Roller Dial Index Drives

 

Key Features & Benefits

 

Rigid Shaft Output

Precision-ground output shaft with h6 tolerance and standard keyway (or optional shrink-disc connection) ensures reliable torque transmission for belt, chain, and rotary table drives.

01

Preloaded Zero-Backlash Engagement

Cam and roller elements are assembled with a calibrated preload to eliminate internal clearance at the dwell position. Measured backlash is consistently < 0.5 arc-min, ensuring positional stability under alternating cutting forces.

02

High Overhung & Radial Load Capacity

Forged 20CrMnTi cam shafts combined with GCr15 needle rollers support high radial loads and large overhung moments. Axial load limits are bearing-dependent and strictly specified per model to prevent bearing raceway damage.

03

Optimized Motion Dynamics

Custom cam curves (Modified Sine / Modified Trapezoid) are CNC-ground to mathematical conjugacy, minimizing peak acceleration and residual vibration at the output shaft, thus reducing motor torque ripple.

04

Extended Service Intervals

Fully sealed housing with oil-bath splash lubrication protects internal precision surfaces from contamination. Oil change intervals are extended to > 20,000 operating hours under nominal conditions (as opposed to periodic grease repacking).

05

 

 

 

How does this product work?

 

 

Conversion of motion in input

A motor or other power source supplies constant rotational input in Roller Dial Index Drives. A cam mechanism links the input shaft to the output dial therefore turning the continuous motion into intermittent motion.

Cam and rollers' cooperation

The movement route of the rollers and the dial's placement precision depend on the particular curve design of the cam. The rollers spin on its surface and press the dial to finish each step of indexing motion by mechanical action as the cam turns.

exact control of output

Changing the cam curve parameters allows one to exactly tune the rhythm and angle of the output movement, thereby satisfying the needs of various equipments for indexing accuracy and speed.

 

Precision Manufacturing & Machining Process of Roller Dial Index Drives

 

Material & Metallurgy

  • Cam blank: Forged 20CrMnTi. Core hardness is maintained at 30–45 HRC to ensure high shock-absorption toughness, with the surface carburized to 58–62 HRC after quenching.
  • Rollers: GCr15 bearing steel, through-hardened to 60–63 HRC with retained austenite controlled below 3% (via sub-zero treatment) for exceptional dimensional stability under thermal load.

 

Multi-Stage CNC Machining Process
The globoidal cam profile is generated via a 5-axis CNC machining center with a custom ball-end cutter, followed by profile grinding. The process is strictly divided into four phases:

 

Phase I

Rough Turning & Milling: Remove bulk stock from the forged blank, leaving a 1.2–1.5 mm radial allowance on the cam lobe surfaces. Shaft journals are rough-turned to +0.3 mm for subsequent heat-treatment fixturing.

 

Phase II

Pre-Grinding Datum Preparation: After stress-relief annealing, the shaft centerline is established as the master datum. The mounting flange and keyway are finish-machined on a CNC lathe with C-axis interpolation to ensure perpendicularity ≤ 0.005 mm relative to the shaft axis. This step guarantees that all downstream grinding operations reference a stable, repeatable zero-point.

 

Phase III

Carburizing, Quenching & Hard Turning: Vacuum carburizing at 930°C followed by oil quenching, then tempering at 180°C to achieve an effective case depth of 0.8–1.2 mm. Post-heat-treatment distortion is corrected via hard-turning (using CBN inserts) on the journal diameters to achieve precise bearing seat tolerances (such as js5 or k6). The cam lobe surfaces are left with a 0.25–0.30 mm grinding stock.

 

Phase IV

CNC Profile Grinding: A dedicated 6-axis CNC cam grinder with a vitrified CBN wheel (grit size 120–140) performs the final contouring. Grinding parameters: wheel speed 45 m/s, infeed 0.005–0.008 mm/pass, with a spark-out cycle of 3 seconds per lobe. The grinding wheel is dressed in-process using a diamond rotary dresser to maintain form accuracy. The resulting cam track achieves a profile tolerance ≤ 0.003 mm and surface roughness Ra ≤ 0.2 μm, ensuring the roller follows a mathematically conjugate motion without impact.

 

Preloaded Assembly & Dynamic Verification
Backlash elimination: The center distance between the cam and roller turret is adjustable via eccentric bearing housings. During assembly, we apply a precise preload to achieve a rotational starting torque of 2–3 N·m on the cam shaft, then measure the output torque ripple to confirm zero-backlash engagement (radial play < 0.002 mm).

 

Run-in protocol: 2-hour no-load run-in at 50% rated speed, followed by 1-hour loaded run-in (80% rated torque). Infrared thermal imaging monitors housing temperature rise ≤ 25°C. Final indexing accuracy is verified on a Renishaw XL-80 laser interferometer: repeatability ≤ ±15 arc-seconds.

 

Application Scenarios

 

Automated production lines: They let you index assembly, inspection, packaging, and other jobs on a regular basis, which makes repetitive tasks 30% more efficient.

Electronics manufacturing: Helps with tasks like soldering PCB boards, putting in components, and testing semiconductors. It stops expensive mistakes with a precision of ±15 arc seconds.

Automotive parts processing: Can handle enormous loads on stamping, handling, and machining manufacturing lines, making sure that engine and chassis parts are always in the right place.

Medical device assembly: Offers sterile, high-precision indexing for making syringes, surgical instruments, and lab equipment.

 

After-Sales Service

 

 
 
 

Technical encouragement

To guarantee the flawless operation of the equipment in the customer's manufacturing line, manufacturers often offer thorough technical assistance including selection advice, installation instruction and optimization of operational parameters.

 
 

spare component supply

Usually offering long-term replacement parts supply, roller dial index drives manufacturers help customers to rapidly replace the worn-out parts during equipment operation, so minimizing downtime.

 
 

Technical training in maintenance

To assist users understand the fundamental maintenance skills of the equipment, some manufacturers will offer consumers expert repair and maintenance training thereby increasing the lifetime of the equipment.

 
 

After-sales service reply

Usually equipped with a skilled after-sales team capable of fast response to consumer needs for maintenance and technical assistance, high-quality manufacturers guarantee the regular running of the equipment.

 

 

FAQ

Q: What is the maximum load capacity of Hansheng Automation's roller indexing drive device?

A: Standard models can withstand axial loads of up to 500kg; heavy-duty custom models can support loads of 1000kg+.

Q: Can the indexing angle be adjusted after installation?

A: Yes - during manufacturing, the indexing angle can be pre-set within the range of 15° to 360° (in 5° increments) by optimizing the cam curve parameters.

Q: If the equipment exhibits accuracy deviations (e.g., exceeding ±15 arc seconds), is it necessary to replace components or can it be calibrated and repaired?

A: Answer: First, identify the cause: if caused by improper installation (e.g., misalignment between the input shaft and motor) or loose fasteners, calibration of the installation position and tightening of components can resolve the issue. If caused by cam curve wear or roller deformation due to prolonged use, the cam or roller (core components) must be replaced. Our after-sales team will provide inspection reports and replacement solutions to ensure accuracy is restored to within ±15 arc seconds after repair.

Q: What are the core advantages of the roller indexing drive unit compared to other types of indexing devices (such as hollow rotary table)?

A: Compared to hollow rotary platforms and other indexing devices, the core advantages of the roller indexing drive unit lie in its intermittent indexing efficiency and heavy-load stability:
During intermittent motion, the mechanical rigid transmission between the cam and rollers eliminates the risk of slippage, resulting in indexing response speeds over 20% faster than hollow rotary platforms;
In terms of structural design, it is more suitable for heavy-load applications. Under the same volume, the rated load of the roller indexing drive unit is 50% higher than that of a standard hollow rotary platform, making it particularly suitable for heavy-duty production lines such as automotive parts manufacturing.

Q: What is the recommended maintenance cycle?

A: It is recommended to perform lubrication maintenance every 2,000 hours and inspect roller wear every six months to ensure optimal performance.

 

Ready to improve the precision of your production line?


Get a free quote now or contact our engineers at [info@hansmat.com] to discuss your indexing needs.

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