1

The Indexing or
Dividing Head
2
Indexing (Dividing) Head
Once one of the more important
attachments for milling machine
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
3
Index Head Parts
Headstock with index plates
Headstock change gears
Quadrant
Universal chuck
Footstock
Center rest
4
Index Head Parts
Swiveling block
Mounted in base enables headstock to be
tilted from 5 below horizontal to 10 beyond
vertical
Spindle
Mounted in swiveling block with 40-tooth
worm wheel, meshes with worm
Worm
Right angle to spindle, connected to index
crank
Direct indexing plate
Engaged by pin and attached to front of
spindle
5
Index Head Parts
6
Section view
of a dividing
head
7
Index Head Parts
Universal chuck
Threaded onto end of spindle
8
Index Head Parts
Footstock
Used in conjunction with headstock to
support work held between centers or in
chuck
May be adjusted longitudinally, raised or
lowered off center, and tilted out of parallel
9
Index Head Parts
Adjustable center rest
Holds long, slender work between centers
10
Methods of Indexing
1. Direct
2. Simple
3. Angular
4. Differential
11
Direct Indexing
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.
12
Direct Indexing Divisions
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
13
Example: Direct Indexing
What direct indexing is necessary to mill eight
flutes on a reamer blank?
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
Since the 24-hole circle is the only one divisible
by 8 (the required number of divisions), it is the
only circle that can be used in this case.
Never count the hole or slot in which
the index pin is engaged.
14
Milling a Square with
Direct Indexing
1. Disengage worm and worm shaft by
turning worm disengaging shaft lever
if dividing head is so equipped
2. Adjust plunger behind index plate
into the 24-hole circle or slot
3. Mount workpiece in dividing head
chuck or between centers
4. Adjust cutter height and cut first side
15
5. Remove plunger pin using plunger pin
lever
6. Turn plate attached to dividing head
spindle one-half turn and engage
plunger pin
7. Take second cut
Milling a Square with
Direct Indexing
16
8. Measure work across flats and adjust
work height if required
9. Cut remaining sides by indexing every
six holes until all surfaces cut
10. Check for finish size
Milling a Square with
Direct Indexing
17
Simple Indexing
Work positioned by means of crank,
index plate, and sector arms
Worm attached to crank must be
engaged with worm wheel on dividing
head spindle
40 teeth on worm wheel
One complete turn on index crank cause
spindle and work to rotate one-fortieth of a
turn (ratio of 40:1)
18
Simple Indexing
Calculating the indexing or number of
turns of crank for most divisions, simply
divide 40 by number of divisions to be
cut or,
40
Indexing =
N
19
Simple Indexing
The indexing required to cut eight flutes:
crank index of turns full 5
8
40

The indexing required to cut seven flutes:

crank index of turns
7
5
5
7
40

The five-sevenths turn involves use of

an index plate and sector arms.
20
Index Plate and Sector
Arms
Index plate
Circular plate provided with series of
equally spaced holes into which index
crank pin engages
Sector arms
Fit on front of plate and may be set to any
portion of a complete turn
21
Finishing Indexing for
Seven Flutes
Index-plate hole circles
Brown & Sharpe
Plate 1 15-16-17-18-19-20
Plate 2 21-23-27-29-31-33
Plate 3 37-39-41-43-47-49
Cincinnati Standard Plate
One side 24-25-28-30-34-37-38-39-41-42-43
Other side 46-47-49-51-53-54-57-58-59-62-66
Choose any hole
circle that is divisible
by denominator 7
5/7 = /21
So, 5 full turns plus
15 holes on 21 hole
circle!
15
22
Finishing Indexing for
Seven Flutes
Index-plate hole circles
Brown & Sharpe
Plate 1 15-16-17-18-19-20
Plate 2 21-23-27-29-31-33
Plate 3 37-39-41-43-47-49
Cincinnati Standard Plate
One side 24-25-28-30-34-37-38-39-41-42-43
Other side 46-47-49-51-53-54-57-58-59-62-66
Choose any hole
circle that is divisible
by denominator 7
5/7 = /49
So, 5 full turns plus
35 holes on 49 hole
circle!
35
23
Finishing Indexing for
Seven Flutes
Index-plate hole circles
Brown & Sharpe
Plate 1 15-16-17-18-19-20
Plate 2 21-23-27-29-31-33
Plate 3 37-39-41-43-47-49
Cincinnati Standard Plate
One side 24-25-28-30-34-37-38-39-41-42-43
Other side 46-47-49-51-53-54-57-58-59-62-66
Choose any hole
circle that is divisible
by denominator 7
5/7 = /28
So, 5 full turns plus
20 holes on 28 hole
circle!
20
24
Finishing Indexing for
Seven Flutes
Index-plate hole circles
Brown & Sharpe
Plate 1 15-16-17-18-19-20
Plate 2 21-23-27-29-31-33
Plate 3 37-39-41-43-47-49
Cincinnati Standard Plate
One side 24-25-28-30-34-37-38-39-41-42-43
Other side 46-47-49-51-53-54-57-58-59-62-66
Choose any hole
circle that is divisible
by denominator 7
5/7 = /42
So, 5 full turns plus
30 holes on 42 hole
circle!
30
25
Finishing Indexing for
Seven Flutes
Index-plate hole circles
Brown & Sharpe
Plate 1 15-16-17-18-19-20
Plate 2 21-23-27-29-31-33
Plate 3 37-39-41-43-47-49
Cincinnati Standard Plate
One side 24-25-28-30-34-37-38-39-41-42-43
Other side 46-47-49-51-53-54-57-58-59-62-66
Choose any hole
circle that is divisible
by denominator 7
5/7 = /49
So, 5 full turns plus
35 holes on 49 hole
circle!
35
26
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
index pin
27
6. Count 15 holes on 21-hole circle
Do not include hole in which index crank
pin is engaged.
7. Move right sector arm slightly beyond
fifteenth hole and tighten sector arm
setscrew
8. Align cutter with work piece
9. Start machine and set cutter to top of
work by using paper feeler
Cutting Seven Flutes
28
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
Cutting Seven Flutes
29
14. Withdraw index pin and turn crank
clockwise five full turns plus the 15
holes indicated right sector arm
Release index pin between 14
th
and 15
th

holes and gently tap until it drops into
15
th
hole
15. Turn sector arm farthest from pin
clockwise until it is against index pin
Cutting Seven Flutes
30
16. Lock dividing head; continue machining
and indexing for remaining flutes

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.
31
Angular Indexing
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 360 equals 9 degrees
9
required degrees of no.
degrees in Indexing
32
Angular Indexing
Calculate indexing for 45
5
9
45
Indexing
5 complete turns
33
Angular Indexing
Calculate indexing for 60
3
2
6
9
60
Indexing
6 full turns plus 12 holes on 18 hole
circle
34
Angular Indexing
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.
35
Angular Indexing
Calculate indexing for 2430'
First, convert angle into minutes
(24 x 60') = 1440' now add 30' = 1470
Convert 9 to minutes 9x90 = 540
Divide 1470'/540' = 2 13/18
2 full turns and 13 holes on 18
hole circle
36
Differential Indexing
Used when 40/N cannot be reduced to a
factor of one of the available hole circles
Index plate must be revolved either
forward or backward part of a turn while
index crank turned to attain proper
spacing (indexing)
Change of rotation effected by idler gear or
gears in gear train
37
Differential Method
Number chosen close to required
divisions that can be indexed by simple
indexing
Example: Assume index crank has to be
rotated 1/9
th
of a turn and only 8-hole
circle
Crank moved 1/9
th
, index pin contacts plate
at spot before first hole
Exact position would be the difference
between 1/8
th
and 1/9
th
of a revolution of
the crank
38
Differential Method cont.
72
1
72
8
72
9
9
1
8
1

one-seventy-second of a turn short of
first hole
Since there is no hole at this point, it is
necessary to cause plate to rotate backward
by means of change gears one-seventy-
second of a turn of pin will engage in hole.
39
Method of Calculating the Change
Gears
gear (worm) driven
gear (spindle) driver

A
40
x N) - (A ratio gear Change

A = approximate number of divisions

N = required number of divisions
If A is greater than N, resulting fraction is positive and
the index plate must move in same direction as crank
(clockwise). This positive rotation uses an idler gear.
If N is greater than A, resulting fraction is negative and
index plate must move counterclockwise. This negative
rotation required use of two idler gears.
40
Gearing
Simple
One idler for positive rotation of index
plate and two idlers for negative
rotation
Compound
One idler for negative rotation of index
plate and two idlers for positive rotation
41
Example:
Calculate the indexing and change gears required
for 57 divisions. The change gears supplied with
the dividing head are as follows:
24, 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
57
40

N
40
Indexing
No 57 hole circle so select
number close to 57
7
5
56
40

5/7 would be 15 holes

on 21-hole circle
Choose plate 2: 21 holes
42
Example: continued
The fraction is negative and simple gearing is to be
used, the index plate rotation is counterclockwise
and two idlers must be used.
gear) (worm 56
gear) (spindle 40
8
8
x
7
5
- gears Change
7
5
56
40
x
56
40
x 57) - (56
A
40
x N) - (A ratio Gear

1
43
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
After proper gears installed, the simple
indexing for 56 divisions should be
followed
Example: continued
44
Wide-Range Dividing Head
Possible for 2 to 400,000 divisions
Large index plate contains 11 hole
circles on each side
Small index plate mounted in front of
large, contains a 54 hole and a 100-hole
circle
40:1 ratio between worm and dividing
head spindle
45
A
large
index
plate
B - crank
C
small
index
plate
D - crank G gear housing
46
Indexing for Divisions
One turn of small crank drives index
head spindle 1/100 of 1/40, or 1/4000 of
a turn
Ratio of large index crank to dividing head
40:1
Ratio of small index crank 100:1
47
Indexing for Divisions
One hole on 100-hole circle of small
index plate C = 1/100 x 1/4000
1/400,000 of a turn
Formula for indexing divisions =
400,000/N
48
Indexing for Divisions
No. of turns
of large
index crank
No. of holes on
100-hole circle
of large plate
No. of holes on
100-hole circle
of small plate
4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 0
N
Number of
Divisions
x x
49
Indexing for Divisions
For 1250 divisions
400000/1250
40|00|00
1250
Since ratio of large index crank is 40:1 ,
any number that divides into 40 (first two
numbers) represents full turns of large
index crank
No. of turns
of large Index
Crank =
0
One hole on 100-hole
circle produces 1/4000
of a turn; any number
divides into 4000 are
indexed on large plate
20
No. turns
100-hole=
Large plate
3
20 holes on the
100-hole circle
small plate
4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4 0 0 0
N
3 0
Zero turns of large crank, 3 turns of 100-hole
large plate and 20 holes on 100-hole small plate
50
Angular Indexing with the
Wide-Range Divider
Indexing in degrees, minutes, and
seconds easily accomplished
Both large and small index cranks set
on 54-hole circle of each plate
Each space on 54-hole large plate will
cause dividing head spindle to rotate 10'
Each space on 54-hole small plate will
cause work to rotate 6"
51
Angular Indexing: cont.
plate) small on (indexed
6
N
Seconds
plate) large on (indexed
10
N
Minutes
plate) large on (indexed
9
N
Degrees

Example: Index for an angle of 1736'18"

turns
9
8
1
9
17

One full turn + 48 holes on large plate
6' of r with 3
10
36

3 holes on large plate
63
6
378

6
18 x60) (6'

One full turn + 9 holes on small plate

One full turn + 51 holes on large plate
52
Linear Graduating
Operation of producing accurate
spaces on piece of flat or round stock
Align workpiece parallel with table
travel
Dividing head spindle geared to lead
screw of milling machine for accurate
longitudinal movement of table
1 revolution of index crank = 1/40
th

revolution of spindle and lead screw
53
Linear Graduating: cont.
Rotation of lead screw (4 threads per
inch) would cause table to move 1/40
th
x
1/4
th
or 1/160
th
= .0025 in.
Formula for calculating indexing for
linear graduations in thousandths of an
inch
.00625
N
Example: Movement of table .001 in
turns
4
1
6
1
.00625
.001

4 holes on 25-hole circle

54
If lead screw of metric milling
machine has pitch of 5mm, 1 turn of
index crank would move table 1/40
th

of 5 mm or 0.125 mm
Point of toolbit used for graduating
generally ground to V-shape
Linear Graduating: cont.
55
Uniformity of line length controlled by
accurate movement of crossfeed
handwheel
Uniformity of line width maintained if
work held absolutely flat and table
height never adjusted
Linear Graduating: cont.