A dividing head is a machine tool attachment used on milling machines to rotate a workpiece in precise increments for machining repeating profiles. It uses a disk with concentric rows of equally spaced holes drilled through it and a crank with a locking pin to rotate the spindle. The attachment can be used in a straight or 90 degree tilted axis orientation for increased machining flexibility.
A dividing head, or indexing head, is a machine tool attachment that allows you to rotate a workpiece in precise, predetermined increments for machining repeating profiles. For example, if a section of round steel bar needs a hex profile machined into one end, a dividing head can be used to rotate the bar in precise increments to machine each flat section of the profile. Typically, the rotation or advancement of the divider is performed manually by means of a crank equipped with a locking pin which locks the head in position for each processing cycle. The dividing heads can also be tilted 90 degrees along their axis to provide adjustment flexibility. A dividing head is generally used as an accessory on milling machines to machine any product consisting of several equal radial facets.
The use of milling machines to cut geometrically accurate and faceted profiles requires that the work piece be fed or rotated in very precise increments for each cut. The divider accomplishes this exact rotation by making use of a disk mounted on the spindle with concentric rows of equally spaced holes drilled through it. A crank fitted with a spring loaded locking pin then rotates the spindle the required distance after which the locking pin is inserted through one of the holes to lock the spindle in place. The pin is pulled out once the cut is complete and the spindle is rotated the same number of holes and re-locked with the pin. This allows the piece to be rotated exactly the same distance every time.
Since the reference disc or plate has several rows of holes, a wide range of different rotational distances can be achieved. Each concentric ring or row will have fewer holes positioned at different pitches as the rows approach the center of the disc. An index plate will typically have six rows of holes and is often purchased in sets of three plates, each with different hole pitch settings. A typical set of indexing plates will have hole numbers ranging from 15 to 49 holes per row, providing a wide range of incremental flexibility.
The dividing head attachment is used on milling machines to produce items with most facets such as reamers, gears, machine tool bits, and geometry shoulders used to accept faucet handles and power rods. The dividing head assembly can be used in a straight or 90 degree tilted axis orientation for increased machining flexibility. Most dividing heads are manually indexed although larger drives can be fully automated.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
