INDEXING AND DIVIDING HEADS

Indexing is the operation of dividing the periphery of a piece of work into any number of equal parts. In cutting spur gear equal spacing of teeth on the gear blank is performed by indexing. Indexing is accomplished by using a special attachment known as dividing head or index head as shown in Fig. The dividing heads are of three types:

(1) Plain or simple dividing head,

(2) Universal dividing head and

(3) Optical dividing head.

1. Plain or Simple Dividing Head

The plain dividing head comprises a cylindrical spindle housed on a frame, and a base bolted to the machine table. The index crank is connected to the tail end of the spindle directly, and the crank and the spindle rotate as one unit. The index plate is mounted on the spindle and rotates with it. The spindle may be rotated through the desired angle and then clamped by inserting the clamping lever pin into anyone of the equally spaced holes or slots cut on the periphery of the index plate. This type of dividing head is used for handling large number of work pieces, which require a very small number of divisions on the periphery.

1. Swiveling block

2. Live centre

3. Index crank

4. Index plate.

Source Introduction of Basic Manufacturing Processes and Workshop Technology by Rajender Singh.