This section provides an overview for rotary tables as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 29 rotary table manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked rotary table companies as of November, 2024: 1.Velmex, 2.Carl Hirschmann, 3.Penn Tool Co., Inc.
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Categories Related to Rotary Tables
A Rotary Table is a rotating platform on which a device or object is mounted.
Rotary Table is used to rotate an object mounted on it to a desired orientation or angle, for positioning, or for measurement. The method of rotation can be manual or motorized. The control method can be open-loop or feedback control, and the size can be large or small, so it is important to select the right one depending on the application.
In addition, rotary tables are rarely used by themselves, as rotary motion is often accompanied by some subsequent operation, such as processing or measurement.
Rotary Tables are used to hold semiconductor wafers for inspection, precision measurement, and motion simulation. They are also used for precision measurement by fixing optomechanical components.
The Rotary Table itself can be mounted in a variety of orientations. It is used after considering whether it is more efficient to rotate the object to be processed or measured or the mechanical parts of the equipment.
High precision is required depending on the application: manual coarse rotation is used when a rough angle is required, while fine rotation is used when fine angle adjustment is required.
Rotary Table has a cross roller bearing structure, a sliding structure, and an angular bearing structure.
A cross roller bearing consists of a roller race with a 90° V-groove and a cylindrical roller. The cylindrical rollers are arranged orthogonally and alternately with a contact angle of 45°. The back bearing structure in a ball bearing can be realized with a single row, enabling the bearing to receive loads from multiple directions simultaneously.
When the Rotary Table is driven, multiple cylindrical rollers roll on the roller race, which is characterized by almost no change in friction from stop to start. The cross roller bearing supports the load with linear contact and is a more rigid system than the ball guide mechanism. In addition, the rotary stage and cross roller bearing can be directly connected, which reduces the number of structural parts.
Since the rotational accuracy of the Rotary Table depends on the accuracy of the rollers, high rotational accuracy can be obtained depending on the accuracy grade of the rollers. In addition, since cross roller bearings have low frictional force and can be operated with light force, micrometer heads and other devices can be used in the fine rotation mechanism to obtain high positioning accuracy.
By connecting a stepping motor to the rotation mechanism, the angle and direction of rotation, as well as the operation procedure, can be automated.
This is a sliding method in which one surface of the Rotary Table and one surface of the fixed side come into contact with each other. This is called dovetail sliding. The mechanism is simple, and dirt is difficult to get into the gap. Since the supporting area is large, it can withstand impact loads and large loads.
Angular bearings are bearings with a contact angle to receive axial loads in one direction. When used in Rotary Table, two angular bearings are used and placed facing each other. This method provides greater rigidity for both axial and radial loads.
Stepping motors are often used for motorized Rotary Tables. The basic step angle is 0.36°, and the resolution is 0.004° at full step and around 0.0002° at microstep of 1/20 division.
In addition to the coarse rotation mechanism that allows 360° rotation, the Rotary Table is equipped with a fine rotation mechanism that allows fine rotation in a specific range. The fine movement rotation is performed by a worm and gear drive using a precision micrometer.
The range of fine rotation is generally ±3 to 5°. The resolution is about 5 arc-min on a vernier scale.
The Rotary Table has very low deformation, wobble, and backlash. Axial wobble is generally less than 500 μrad.
Some Rotary Tables can be used in Class 100 clean rooms. Many are also compliant with the European RoHS Directive. The coarse and fine rotation mechanisms can be locked by screws.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Haas Automation, Inc., established in 1983 and based in California, USA, is a manufacturer of CNC vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes and rotary products. The company's machines are categorized in vertical and horizontal mills, lathes, rotaries & indexers, multi-axis solutions and automation systems. It builds specialty machines such as 5-axis machining centers, mold making machining centers, toolroom machines, and gantry routers. It also provides operating manuals, procedures, troubleshooting guides and toolkits for its machines. The company's products and accessories comply with the ISO 9001:2015 and European Machinery Directive(CE) regulations.
Fischer-Brodbeck GmbH, also known as FIBRO, is a manufacturer of standard parts for the sheet metal and molding industry that was founded in Weinsberg, Germany, in 1958. It produces threads, electromechanical transporters, molds, and other products for the auto, electronic, and home appliances industries. The company operates globally, with branches in France, Poland, the USA, India, Singapore, Korea, and China, in compliance with DIN ISO 9001 and DIN EN ISO 14001 standards.
AEROTECH creates solutions for motion and positioning of devices. Customers are from industries as diverse as data storage, medical devices, and aerospace. AEROTECH develops controllers, drives, motors, and other parts for motion and positioning devices and offers custom-engineered motion systems. AEROTECH’s serves both manufacturers of individual parts as well as equipment operators offering full range of support rom design to manufacturing to deployment.
NBK America LLC, founded in 2015 and based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, is an American manufacturer and a subsidiary of Japan's Nabeya Bi-tech Kaisha, specializing in mechanical components. Their product range includes couplings, like miniature shaft couplings for precision machine tools and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, special screws, such as vacuum application screws and other machine components. NBK offers finite automaton (FA) solutions, including wireless positioning units for production lines and setup operations. NBK provides machine component servicing, such as vibration resistance treatment and laser engraving. Services for couplings and special screws include coupling stainless steel screw alteration and screw length adjustment.
Physik Instrumente aka PI, founded 50 years ago, is a private company that creates and produces automation systems, including hexapods, air bearings, and piezo drives that are used in life-sciences, photonics, and aerospace industries and research institutes. Their products are manufactured in North America, Europe, and Asia. Physik Instrumente is ITAR registered. The company's head office is located in Auburn, America. And its manufacturing and other facilities are located in New England.
Velmex, Inc. was founded in 1967 in Bloomfield, New York where it still operates today. The company is a designer and manufacturer of stock and custom linear and rotary motion control positioning equipment for scientific, research, machining, and industrial applications. The company produces 3 unique brands of manual and motor-driven assemblies in Unislide, BiSlide, and XSlide in multiple build-to-order configurations. The company also produces manual and motor-driven XY tables, rotary turntables, as well as VXM motor controls, and VRO encoder readouts.
Carl Hirschmann, founded in 1957, with Head Quarter in Fluorn-Winzeln, Germany, is a manufacturer of spherical bearings, rotary tables, clamping systems, axial shaft seals, and synthetic fluid and these products have applications in Medical Engineering, the Aerospace industry, and Automotive/Racing Sports. The company produces Aluminium-Titanium lightweight bearings, Ultralight Tie Rods, and rolled-in-spherical bearings which have applications in Mould &Tool manufacturing, and the Turbine industry. They also provide Rotary indexing tables in single-axis/two-axis/multiple-axis models. They offer indexing/rotating spindle, and hollow axes besides they produce synthetic fluid in two forms namely dielectric fluid and grinding fluid that are used in the automobile sector.
LinTech was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Monrovia, California. The company is a manufacturer that also designs and engineers positioning components and systems for use in a wide range of linear motion control applications for customers in aerospace, food processing, machine tool, semiconductor, and other markets. The company offers a range of products from linear ball bushings & shafts to ball screw assemblies, rotary stages, and more. The company offers extensive technical support and customer service including assistance with CAD files.
Motion Index Drives is a manufacturer of cam indexing machines and rotary index tables established in 1970 and based in Troy, Michigan, USA. The company primarily produces customizable rotary cam indexers for enhancing the precision of automated lines in either single or multi station layouts, and trunnion index drives for rotating or indexing objects in machinery or equipment. It also offers a range of motorized lift and carry systems for lifting, transferring, or placing heavy workpieces. The company’s products are used by clients in industrial automation and robotics integration operations.
Penn Tool Co., Inc. is based in New Jersey, United States, and has been a supplier of industrial tools and machinery since its establishment in 1968. The company serves multiple sectors, including machinery manufacturing, industrial machinery and equipment manufacturing, home improvement and hardware, as well as the retail industry. Precision measuring tools, cutting tools, and safety equipment are among its main product categories. The company also enables manufacturers and other commercial enterprises to enhance productivity, efficiency, and profitability by offering expert guidance to customers in the selection of suitable tools for their projects.
Shars Tool is an American wholesale distributor of industrial equipment and machinery that was established in 1978 in Saint Charles, Illinois. The company stocks various hand and power tools, abrasives, and cutting tools, as well as machinery like mills and lathes. They also offer material handling equipment like carts and bins, as well as safety accessories like goggles and gloves. Shars Tool chiefly serves client companies and businesses in the metalworking, DIY, home maintenance, and hobby markets, as well as select e-retailers such as LittleMachineShop.com.
Newmark Systems, founded in 1995, with their Head Quarters at Rancho Santa Margarita, U.S.A, manufacture precision positioning systems and motion control products for OEM applications and optical technologies. The company produces rotary positioners, linear positioners, vacuum-compatible stages, and gantry stages. They manufacture gimbal mounts, motion controllers, and accessories and also offer services to research organizations such as Google, JPL, UCLA, TRW, Lawrence Livermore, and Cornell University. Their products have applications in semiconductor inspection, gimbals for satellite tracking, and robotic systems for component manipulation and inspection. They manufacture products that are used in the semiconductor manufacturing industry and fiber optic communications.
Föhrenbach GmbH, founded in Germany in 2014, is a manufacturer specializing in motorized precision slides with spindle drives. It offers a range of positioning systems, including linear axes, round tables, and slide guides; round tables and rotation axes; application tooling; as well as drive technology with steppe motors and servo motors. The company also offers a range of services, including development to create customized solutions, training to help customers optimize the use of its products, and customer and telephone support for clients in the manufacturing, automation, engineering, and design industries.
Colombo Filippetti Spa founded in 1953, is an international company that serves as a designer and manufacturer of computer-aided mechanisms. The company offers a wide range of products, including oscillating drives, tandem mechanisms, tool changers, fret saw machines, and CAM driven pallet changers, serving diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, robotics, woodworking, and metalworking. These products enhance automation, precision, and efficiency in various processes and machinery. The company offers customer service, prompt support and technical expertise.
Guangdong Saini Intelligent Equipment Technology Co., Ltd., is a manufacturer integrated with production, R & D and trade business. The company was founded I 2010 and established in Dongguan, Guangdong. The company supply high precision hollow rotary actuator, harmonic drive gearboxes, high precision planetary gearboxes, 90 degree gearboxes right angle hollow reducer, and high precision XXY alignment stage. The company’s product are used for CNC machine tools, full servo paper tissue machineries, precision concave-convex, precision coat machines, servo pipe benders, digital control spring machine, and other equipment with high degree of automation.
CHUO PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Chuo Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha), founded in 1955, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, specializing in precise positioning units as well as optical machines and equipment. The company’s portfolio includes automatic and motorized stages and actuators, manual mechanical stages, stage accessories, and controllers. Automatic stage applications include sample table of laser repair and mapping systems, whereas manual stage applications encompass camera position adjustment for glass substrate and/or film inspection systems and prober position adjustment. Further offerings include microscopes and tool scopes, automation products for microscopes, as well as optical accessories, components, and instruments.
COSMAP S.r.l., founded in 1982, is an Italian manufacturer based in Saccolongo, Padua, producing automatic machines. The company’s machines are designed for buffing and polishing, deburring and grinding, as well as satin-finishing processes. The company also develops machines capable of simultaneously performing grinding and buffing processes. These machines are utilized in the manufacturing of various products, including cookware and household items, faucets and bathroom accessories, as well as fashion accessories and cosmetics.
1st Machine Tool Accessories, headquartered in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, was founded in 1997 and is a supplier of precision tooling solutions to the manufacturing industry. The company's mission is to provide an array of tooling solutions that enable manufacturers to improve their productivity and efficiency. It specializes in various tool holding systems, workholding solutions, cutting tools, and machine accessories. The product line of the company caters to sectors like aerospace, automotive, energy, and more. It provides a staff of technical professionals who are ready to answer client questions, deliver solutions, and provide the highest level of service.
Leaderdrive, founded in 2003 and located in Jiangsu Province, China, is a manufacturer of harmonic gearing devices. Its broad range of products includes strain wave gear harmonic speed reducers, rotary actuators, frameless direct drive torque motors, and precision machining tables. These products have a general application in industries that demand precise motion control and efficiency. These products are used for achieving accurate positioning, controlled movement, and optimized performance in applications. The company’s products are used in robotics, automation, manufacturing, aerospace, and other fields requiring controlled movement and accurate positioning. The company also receives certifications such as ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015.
Nikken Kosakusho Works, Ltd. is a manufacturer of machine tools for the metalworking industry founded in 1958 and headquartered in Daito-shi, Osaka, Japan. The company offers NC tooling solutions such as two- and three-face contact tooling systems, and precision CNC rotary tables for enhancing the capabilities of CNC machines. It also offers tool presetters and management products for tool organization and increasing productivity. The company operates internationally, with branch offices and subsidiaries in the UK, France, and the USA.
echoENG s.r.l. founded in Cormano, Italy, in 2018, is a manufacturer and distributor of machine tools and accessories for industrial maintenance. Products offered by the company are lifting devices, measuring instruments, bandsaws, screwdrivers, and wrenches. It is a partner of Posco, Unisteel, and Egyptian Steel. The company also provides maintenance services and accessories for its products. It has set up its logistics platform in the North of Milan, Italy, that provides access to the main transportation arteries.
ETEL S.A., a company founded in 1974 and headquartered in Môtiers, Switzerland, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in direct drive motors. The company's product portfolio includes linear motors, position controllers, and short-stroke actuators. These products find applications in various industries, including the machine tool industry, semiconductor, and mechatronics and robotics. The company provides services including technical support, product inquiries, and assistance with product integration. The company is ISO 9001 certified for quality requirements and environmental regulations.
Kitagawa Corporation, established in 1918, is a manufacturer and supplier of machine tool accessories, construction machinery, and industrial machinery based in Hiroshima, Japan. The company offers components for the automotive industry and various machine tool accessories including work gripers, manual chucks, rotary cylinders, NC rotary tables, and power vises and. They also produce large-scale concrete mixing plants, tower cranes for building construction, and bridge erection machines, as well as recycling plants for the environmental sector and self-propelled multi-floor parking.
Rototrans d.o.o., a company located in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in the design and production of rotary transfer machines. The company's product portfolio includes direct-drive rotary tables, hydraulic indexing rotary tables, and straight shank collet chucks. These products find applications in various industries, including special machinery manufacturing, the machine tool industry, and the automotive industry. The company provides services including customization of products tailored to customers' needs, technical support, and spare parts supply.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Velmex |
7.6%
|
2 | Carl Hirschmann |
6.0%
|
3 | Penn Tool Co., Inc |
5.7%
|
4 | Shars Tool |
5.6%
|
5 | NBK America LLC |
5.6%
|
6 | ROSH Electroptics |
5.3%
|
7 | LinTech |
4.8%
|
8 | Aerotech, Inc. |
4.8%
|
9 | Fischer-Brodbeck GmbH |
4.6%
|
10 | Haas Automation, Inc. |
4.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the rotary table page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 12 | 50.0% |
Italy | 3 | 12.5% |
Germany | 2 | 8.3% |
China | 2 | 8.3% |
Japan | 2 | 8.3% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 8.3% |
Switzerland | 1 | 4.2% |