Index drive

An index drive is a device used to convey parts for assembly, machining, packaging, finishing, or other manufacturing operations. This index drive conveys the parts in a rotary or dial motion, stopping intermittently in station "to dwell" for a fixed period of time. The dwell time and index time between stations are programmed and variable.

The number of index stations of an index drive is predetermined and specified at the time of purchase. Stations range from a minimum of two up to thirty-six in a 360� work circle. Stations on an index drive are typically set at 20�, 40�, 60�, 120�, 180�, etc. Index drives provide controlled acceleration and deceleration from station to station in a clockwise or counterclockwise mode. Index times can be as low as .20 seconds, and over 150 cycles per minute.

Index drive diameters range from 5" to 40". Electric motors are the most common drive source, however, index drives can be driven by air and fluid motors. Most index drives are dedicated and installed in automatic machines. Index drives are specified based on inertia load capacity, work circle radius, and speed of index time.