Indexing head

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Indexing head and tailstock set up on a milling machines table

An indexing head is a specialized tool that allows a work piece to be rotated to any angle or circular division.

The tool is similar to a rotary table except that it is designed to be adjustable through at least 90 &deg: (in fact it will over travel to approx 95°).

[edit] Indexing plates

Indexing plates

View showing simple indexing back plate

Simple indexing consists of a series of preset holes in a backing plate, these divisions are provided for the most common angles (such as 90 °, 45 °, 30 °, etc). The remaining divisions of a circle are provided by manually rotating the dividing arm using index plates. Tables or calculations are required to use this method.