ShopBot Tools

Accessories: Rotary Indexers

So much more than a lathe.

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So much more than a lathe.

The ShopBot Rotary Indexer allows you to cut full 3-dimensional objects on your ShopBot. Like a lathe, it provides a 4th rotary axis for turning a part, but in addition, provides precise “indexed” control over rotation. With an indexer, you can create:

  • Lathe work
  • Spindles, newel posts, table legs
  • 3D sculptures

A rotary indexer can be purchased with new tools or retro-fitted to older tools.

A Rotary Axis File replaces one of the linear axes (X or Y) with degrees of rotation.

Mounting:

A rotary indexer can be purchased with new tools or added on to existing tools. There are a variety of mounting options depending on the tool and the size indexer.

Software

All ShopBot tools ship with VCarve Pro which allows you to design and turn 3D objects on the rotary indexer. Depending on your needs, you may wish to purchase additional software such as Vectric's Aspire software.

3" Rotary Indexer

3 inch Desktop Max Indexer

3 inch buddy indexer

Pricing

Part # Tool Usage Price
#15145 For ShopBot Desktop, Desktop MAX and
PRSstandard Tools (Buddy or Gantry)
$950
#004739 For ShopBot PRSalpha Tools (Buddy or Gantry) $2,450

Specifications

Model Max Turning Dia. Max RPM Holding Torque Backlash
3" PRSalpha 3.6" 300 3.5 Nm 0.01°
3" PRSstandard 3.6" 300 3.5 Nm 0.01°

What size object can I turn?

Turning diameter indicates the maximum round blank that can be turned in a given configuration; for square blanks, this refers to the diagonal of the blank, not the side width.

indexer dimensions

  Desktop Desktop MAX (short axis) Desktop MAX (long axis*) ShopBot Buddy
Max Turning Diameter 3.6" 3.6" 3.6" 3.6"
Max Turning Length 19.5" 19.5" 36" Same as x-axis of tool**
* Mounting the indexer in this way requires purchasing an adapting base
** For very long objects, torque may become a limiting factor

6" Rotary Indexer

Pricing

Part # Tool Usage Price
#005065 For ShopBot Desktop MAX (not available for MAX ATC) $2,995
#006575 For ShopBot PRSstandard Tools (Buddy or Gantry) $2,995
#004737 For ShopBot PRSalpha Tools (Buddy or Gantry) $3,749

Specifications

Model Max Turning Dia. Max RPM Holding Torque Backlash
6" Desktop MAX 8" 250 15 Nm 0.25°
6" PRSalpha 9.8" 250 59 Nm 0.05°
6" PRSstandard 9.8" 250 15 Nm 0.25°

What size object can I turn?

Turning diameter indicates the maximum round blank that can be turned in a given configuration; for square blanks, this refers to the diagonal of the blank, not the side width.

indexer dimensions

Desktop MAX (purchased during or after 2017)

  Frame Mount Deck Mount
Max Turning Diameter (in) 8" (with 1.5" bit) 4.5" (with 2" bit)
Max Turning Length (in) 36" 36"

Buddy with 12" Z-axis

Max Turning Diameter (in) 9.8"
Max Turning Length (in) Nominal‡ length of Powerstick

Gantry Tools with 8" Z-axis

  Hanging Mount Rail Mount Table Mount
Max Turning Diameter (in) 9.8" 5.5"* 4"
Max Turning Length (in) Nominal‡ width of table minus 14" Nominal‡ length of table minus 6" Nominal‡ length of table minus 20", or width of table minus 18"
*Up to 7.5" if only cutting along the centerline (i.e. lathe work or wrapped toolpaths)
‡ Nominal values refer to the advertised cutting area of a tool.

Gantry Tools with 14" Z-axis

  Hanging Mount Rail Mount Table Mount
Max Turning Diameter (in) 9.8" 5.5"† 9.8"
Max Turning Length (in) Nominal‡ width of table minus 14" Nominal‡ length of table minus 6" Nominal‡ length of table minus 20", or width of table minus 18"
† Up to 9" if only cutting along the centerline (i.e. lathe work or wrapped toolpaths)
‡ Nominal values refer to the advertised cutting area of a tool.

12" Rotary Indexer

12 Inch Hanging Mount Indexer

12 inch Rail Mount indexer

Pricing

Part # Tool Usage Price
#004736 For ShopBot PRSalpha Tools Only $5,995

Specifications

Model Max Turning Diameter Max RPM Holding Torque Backlash
12" (PRSalpha only) 19.6" 250 59 Nm 0.05°

What size object can I turn?

Turning diameter indicates the maximum round blank that can be turned in a given configuration; for square blanks, this refers to the diagonal of the blank, not the side width.

indexer dimensions

  Gantry Tools
(8" or 14" Z-axis)
Hanging Mount Only
Gantry Tools
(14” Z-axis only)
Rail Mount
Max Turning Diameter (in) Up to 19.6" Up to 14"
Max Turning Length (in) Nominal width of tools minus 17" Nominal length of tool minus 8"

ShopBot Tools, Inc.

Toll Free: 1-888-680-4466

Phone: 919-680-4800
Fax: 919-680-4900

ShopBot Tools, Inc.
3333-B Industrial Drive
Durham, NC 27704
USA

Office Hours
Monday–Friday: 9am–5pm EST

After Hours Tech Support
Monday–Friday: 5pm–9pm EST
Saturday–Sunday: 10am–5pm EST

Office Closure
ShopBot Tools, Inc. is closed New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Outside of normal office hours, we regularly check for support requests, email and phone messages. To make sure we can get back to you as soon as possible, leave a phone number or return email address where you will be available.