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Application Overview: Rotary Table Indexer

Rotary table indexers position the rotary table to a specific location so that some type of process can be executed. Examples of these processes include removing product from the rotary table, packaging the product, or placing a label on the product. Rotary tables are used across a wide range of industries, from packaging to assembly. Rotary tables can be driven through a gearbox or directly via a direct drive motor.


Application Challenges
  • Absolute Position Management
    Controller must translate encoder data along with the moves to identify absolute position within the revolution, as well as the number of absolute revolutions
  • Positioning w/out Gearbox (DD motor)
    Inertia ratio remains higher as the load is directly coupled to the load, requiring unique motor characteristics
  • Increased throughput
    Higher productivity should result from the addition of this motion control solution due to higher speeds and lower downtime
  • Smooth Motion
    The solution must yield smooth motion to reduce machine wear produced by jerky accelerations, resulting in increased machine life and lower maintenance (more uptime).


Applicable Products
Servo and Motion ProductsFeatures and Benefits
IEC61131-3, PLCopen Motion Function blocks provide built-in position management for rotary table absolute positioning
High-performance Mechatrolink-II motion control network
High-inertia, high-torque motors suitable for direct drive applications
Absolute encoder with 20-bit resolution (1048675 counts)


Application Details

Application Solution Benefits for MP2000iec with Standard Sigma-5 Servomotor

  • Absolute Encoder Integration
    This is the first, and most important, step. Data from the absolute encoder is automatically handled by the controller so absolute position can be maintained through power loss. The maximum number of turns on the absolute encoder can be programmed to match the gear ratio so that the system position will always remain within the 360 degree output cycle.
  • Absolute Revolution Position
    Station locations can be easily calculated around the 360 deg cycle. Absolute moves can be made to each station by means of positive direction, negative direction, or shortest path.

Application Solution Benefits for MP2000iec with Direct Drive Motor

  • Absolute Encoder Integration
    The Direct drive Motor has an integral single-turn 20-bit absolute encoder. The Mechatrolink Servopack reports the absolute position to the MP2000iec controller upon power up.

Additional Information
The pdf contains the same information as the web, but in some cases may contain more and should be used if a printed version is required.



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