Indexing or dividing head in

Milling Machine

Dr A R M Harunur Rashid
Indexing is the operation of dividing the periphery of a workpiece into any
number of equal parts. For example if we want to make a hexagonal bolt.
Head of the bolt is given hexagonal shape. We do indexing to divide circular
workpiece into six equal parts and then all the six parts are milled to an
identical flat surface. If we want to cut „n‟ number of teeth in a gear blank.
The circumference of gear blank is divided into „n‟ number of equal parts
and teeth are made by milling operation one by one. The main component
used in indexing operation is universal dividing head
 Used to divide circumference of
workpiece into equally spaced
divisions when milling gear teeth,
squares, hexagons, and octagons
 Also used to rotate workpiece at
predetermined ratio to table feed rate
 Uinversal Dividing Head

It is most popular and common type of indexing arrangement. As

indicated by its name “universal”, it can be used to do all types of
indexing on a milling machine. Universal dividing head can set the
workpiece in vertical, horizontal, or in inclined position relative to the
worktable in addition to working principle is explained below with the
help of illustration in Figure . The worm gear has 40 teeth and the worm
has simple thread. Crank is directly attached with the worm. If we
revolve crank by 40 revolutions the spindle attached with worm gear will
revolve by only one revolution and one complete turn of the crank will
revolve the spindle only by 1/40threvolution (turn). In order to turn the
crank precisely a fraction of a revolution, an indexing plate is used. An
indexing plate is like a circular disc having concentric rings of different
number of equally spaced holes. Normally indexing plate is kept
stationary by a lock pin. A spring loaded pin is fixed to the crank which
can be fixed into any hole of indexing plate. The turning movement of
the workpiece is stably controlled by the movement of crank
Types of Indexing
There are different indexing methods in popularity. These are :
(a) Direct indexing
(b) Simple indexing
(c) Differential indexing
d) Compound indexing ,
Direct Indexing aka rapid
indexing

 Index plates hole no divided by

required hole no in the job.
 The quotient should be integer
 Only the hole no which are factors of
24,30 and 36 could be done using this
method of direct indexing.
 Indexing is such holes in a definite
hole no plate
 Simplest form of indexing
 Performed by disengaging worm shaft from worm
wheel by means of eccentric device in dividing head
 Spring-loaded tongue lock engages numbered slots in
index plate
 Used for quick indexing of workpiece when cutting
flutes, hexagons, squares, etc.
 Direct indexing plate usually contains three sets of hole
circles or slots: 24, 30, and 36
 Number of divisions possible to index limited to numbers that are
factors of 24, 30, 36
Slots Direct indexing divisions
24 2 3 4 _ 6 8 _ __ 12 __ __ 24 __ __
30 2 3 _ 5 6 _ _ 10 __ 15 __ __ 30 __
36 2 3 4 _ 6 _ 9 __ 12 __ 18 __ __ 36
For this usually a direct indexing plate is used which has
24 equally spaced holes in a circle. It is possible to divide the surface of workpiece
into any number of equal divisions out of 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 parts. These all
numbers are the factors of 24.
In this case fist of all worm and worm wheel is disengaged. We find number of
holes by which spring loaded pin is to be moved. If we want to divide the surface
into 6 parts than number of holes by which pin is to be moved = 24/N
for 6 parts N = 6. , that is if we would like to make hexagonal bolt.
So number of holes = 24/6 = 4 holes that is after completing one pair of milling
whole surface of workpiece we have to move the pin by 4 holes before next
milling operation, that is to be done for 5 number of times for making hexagonal
bolt.
Simple or Plain Indexing

 40 divided by no of required division or

teeth
 If fraction comes find a plate whose
hole no is divisible by the denominator
of the fraction. Now make adjustment
on the numerator accordingly
 Indexing will be some full turns plus
such holes in a definite hole plate.
 In this case worm and worm gear is first engaged. So one complete turn of
indexing crank revolves the workpiece by 1/40th revolution.
Three indexing plates are used. These plates have concentric circles of
holes with their different numbers as described below : These are the
standard indexing plates followed by all machine tool manufacturers.
(a) Divide 40 by the number of divisions to be done on the circumference
of workpiece. This gives movement of indexing crank.
Indexing crank movement =40/N
Here N is the number of divisions to be made on the circumference of workpiece.
(b) If the above number is a whole number, then crank is rotated by that
much number of revolutions after each milling operations, till the completion of the work.
For example, if we want to divide the circumference into 10 number of parts.
Indexing crank movement =40/10=4 revolutions.
That is the indexing crank is given 4 revolutions after each of milling operation for 9 more
milling operations.
(c) If indexing crank movement calculated by 40/N is not whole number,
it is simplified and then expressed as a whole number and a fraction.
(d) The fractional part of the above number is further processed by multiplying its denominator
and numerator by a suitable common number so that the denominator will turn to a number
equal to any number of holes available on the any of indexing plates.
(e) That particular holes circle is selected for the movement of crank pin.
(f) The numerator of the process fraction stands for the number of holes to be moved by the
indexing crank in the selected hole circle in addition to complete turns of indexing crank equal
to whole number part of .40/N
Limitation

 This method can used for indexing

upto 50 for any number of divisions
after 50 this method is not capable for
some numbers like 96, etc. Differential
or Compound indexing overcomes the
limitations.
Example of Simple Indexing

 Let us do the indexing to cut 30 teeth

on a spur gear blank that means we
need to divide the circumference of
gear blank into 30 identical parts.
Crank movement is calculated s given
below.
Angular indexing
 Angular distance between division is given instead of number
of divisions
 Method is same to simple indexing
 Formula is:
indexing in degree is equal to no of degrees required divided
by 9
 If minutes given,convert degree to minutes by multiplying by
60 to degree.
 Indexing in minutes is equal to no of minutes required divided
by 540
 When fraction comes up,follow the method of simple indexing.
Here to such holes in definite hole no index plate.
 Setup for simple indexing may be used
 Must calculate indexing with angular distance between divisions
instead number of divisions
 One complete turn of index crank turns work 1/40 of a turn
 1/40 of 360º equals 9 degrees
 Calculate indexing for 45º, so 5 full turns

 Calculate indexing for 60 degree: 6 full turns plus 12 holes on 18

hole circle

45 60 2
Indexing 5 Indexing  6
9 9 3
5 complete turns 6 full turns plus 12 holes on 18 hole circle
 Calculate indexing for 24'
Divide 24'/540' = 4/90
4/90 = 1/22.5
 1 hole on a 22.5 hole circle
 The nearest is a 23 hole circle. Indexing would be 1 hole on a 23
hole circle with a slight error (approximately 1/2 minute). A need
for higher accuracy requires differential indexing.
 Calculate indexing for 24º30'
First, convert angle into minutes
(24 x 60') = 1440' now add 30' = 1470'
Convert 9° to minutes 9°x60' = 540'
Divide 1470'/540' = 2 13/18
 2 full turns and 13 holes on 18 hole circle
Differential Indexing
 When fraction could not be done by the hole
plate available for simple indexing
 So index plate is moved forward or
backward to get the required no of fraction
things. For this idler gears are used.
 Driver spindle gear and driven is worm gear
on the denominator. Well worm lives in
soil,down the earth so its on bottom!!
 Change gear ratio = (A-N) X 40 / N
here A = approximate no of division
N = required no of divisions
Differential Indexing method
Problem solving
 First use simple indexing that is 40 divided by required division
 If no hole plate available for N, take an approximatevalue may be one
or two below or above the required one. Then go for trial and error. If
it matches up with hole plate hole number( not change gear value) for
fraction like simple indexing,that’s fine. Otherwise try with another
approximation.
 Use the formula for change gear ratio
 Adjust it with change gear provided.
 In simple gear train, if ratio is positive use one idler gear. For
negative, two idler gears are required.
 In compound gear train, if ratio is positive use two idler gears. For
negative, one idler gear is required.
 After idler gear is set, the procedure is to follow simple indexing
method.
 Normally when N is greater than 40, differential index method comes
into play!!
 Problem 1

Calculate the indexing and change gears required for 57

divisions. The change gears supplied with the dividing
head are as follows:
24, 28, 32, 40, 44, 48, 56, 64, 72, 86

The available index plate hole circles are as follows:

Plate 1: 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Plate 2: 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 33
Plate 3: 37, 39, 41, 43, 47, 49
 40 40 40 5
Indexing   
N 57 56 7

 No 57 hole circle so select

number close to 57 like 56.
 5/7 would be 15 holes on 21-hole
circle as Choose plate 2: 21 holes
 40
Gear ratio  (A - N) x
A
40 40 5
 (56 - 57) x  1 x 
56 56 7
5 8 40 (spindle gear)
Change gears  - x  
7 8 56 (worm gear)
A = approximate number of divisions
N = required number of divisions
 The fraction is negative and simple gearing is to be
used, the index plate rotation is counterclockwise
and two idlers must be used.
 For indexing 57 divisions, a 40-tooth
gear is mounted on the dividing head
spindle and a 56-tooth gear is mounted
on the worm shaft.
 Index idlers must be used. plate rotation
is negative and two idlers must be used
 After proper gears installed, the simple
indexing for 56 divisions should be
followed
Compound Indexing

 Differential indexing is similar to

compound Indexing except that the
index plate is turned during the
indexing operation by gears connected
to the dividing head spindle. Instead of
relying on the 40:1 worm assembly, in
compound indexing the indexing plate
is driven via a bevel gear system.
Problem 2 using compound
indexing

 Let us make 69 divisions of workpiece

circumference by indexing method.
 (Using compound indexing)
(a) Factor the divisions to be make (69 = 3 X 23) N = 69.
(b) Select two hole circles at random (These are 27 and 33 in this case,
both of the hole circles should be from same plate).
(c) Subtract smaller number of holes from larger number and factor it as
(33 – 27 = 6 = 2 X 3).
(d) Factor the number of turns of the crank required for one revolution of
the spindle (40). Also factorize the selected hole circles.
(e) Place the factors of N and difference above the horizontal line and
factors of 40 and selected both the hole circles below the horizontal
line as given below. Cancel the common values.

Here factorization is done by starting from the lowest and divide it by the
original one, then comes the next factor divider and so on.
If all the factors above the line are cancelled by those which are
below the line, then the selected hole circles can be used for indexing
otherwise select another two hole circles. In this case there is need to
select another hole circles. Let us select 23 and 33 this time and
repeat the step 5 as indicated below. Here 33-23=10
69= 3*23
10=2*5
-------------------
40=2*2*2*5
23= 1*23
33=3*11
All the factors above the horizontal
line are cancelled so selected hole circles with 23 and 33 holes can
used for indexing.
For indexing of 69 divisions, the indexing crank should be moved by
21 holes circle in forward direction and then crank along with the
plate are moved by 11 holes in 33 hole circle is reversed (backward)
direction.
Video link

 Simple (Plain) Indexing :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
MRA6d0fPqgI
Slides after this slide are not
included in exams]
Cutting Seven Flutes

1. Mount B&S Plate 2 index plate on

dividing head
2. Loosen index crank nut and set index
pin into hole on 21-hole circle
3. Tighten index crank nut and check to
see that the pin enters hole easily
4. Loosen setscrew on sector arm
5. Place narrow edge of left arm against
Tue, 24 Jun, 2014 41

index pin
10:21:58 AM
Cutting Seven Flutes

10. Move table so cutter clears end of

work
11. Tighten friction lock on dividing head
before making each cut and loosen
lock when indexing for spaces
12. Set depth of cut and take first cut

13. After first flute has been cut, return

table to original starting position
Tue, 24 Jun, 2014 42

14. Withdraw index pin and turn crank

10:21:59 AM
Cutting Seven Flutes

 The arm farthest from the pin is held

and turned. If the arm next to the pin
were held and turned, the spacing
between both sector arms could be
increased when the other arm hits the
pin. This could result in an indexing
error not noticeable until the work was
completed
16. Lock dividing head; continue
Tue, 24 Jun, 2014 43
10:21:48 AM