Simple indexing is one of the most important machining methods used on milling machines and dividing heads. It helps machinists divide a workpiece into equal parts for operations such as gear cutting, spline cutting, drilling equally spaced holes, and machining polygon shapes.
This free online simple indexing calculator helps you quickly calculate crank rotation, indexing plate holes, and dividing head settings. The tool is useful for workshop engineers, machinists, students, and machine operators who need fast and accurate indexing calculations.
Simple indexing is a fundamental method used in milling machines for dividing a workpiece into equal parts. It is commonly used for cutting gear teeth, splines, and other equally spaced features. This method is performed using a dividing head, which allows the workpiece to be rotated precisely by a specific angle before each machining pass.
The dividing head consists of a worm and worm wheel, where the worm wheel has 40 teeth. Rotating the crank attached to the worm by one complete turn moves the dividing head spindle by 1/40th of a full revolution and one complete turn moves the Rotary Table spindle by 1/90th of a full revolution.
This principle is the basis for determining the number of turns required for specific divisions. .
Simple indexing in a milling machine is an effective method for dividing a workpiece into equal sections with high precision. By using the dividing head and correct indexing calculations, machinists can efficiently cut gears, splines, and other components in various industrial applications.