How to Size a Camco Index Drive
Made in the USA
To size a Camco index drive you need the number of stops, the machine rate, the split between index and dwell, and the load being indexed: dial diameter, weight and tooling inertia. With those, the drive, cam motion and motor can be selected and checked for accuracy and life. EAC's indexing application worksheet collects it all in one sheet.
The sizing checklist
- Number of stopsSets the index angle and the cam design.
- Machine rateCycles per minute at full production, plus planned increases.
- Index vs. dwellHow long stations work, and how much of the cycle is left to move. Shorter index means higher acceleration.
- Load and inertiaDial diameter, thickness and material, plus fixtures, parts and tooling, and where they sit.
- External loadsPress, staking or insertion forces during dwell, and overturning moments.
- AccuracyRequired positional repeatability at the station.
- Mounting and utilitiesOrientation, output style (dial, shaft, flange, ring) and anything passing through the center.
- Drive packageMotor, reducer and clutch brake, or servo, and how the machine controls start and stop.
Which Camco product?
| If the machine… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Carries a large, heavy dial directly | RDM / RD dial index drive |
| Needs utilities through the center | Ring index drive |
| Needs a shaft or flange output to drive your own mechanism | RGD / RDS roller gear drive |
| Transfers linearly | Parallel index drive, or a link conveyor |
| Must change index angle between products | PGM / GTB servo positioner |
What to send EAC
Fill in the indexing application worksheet, or send stops, rate, dwell, dial size and weight and a tooling sketch. EAC will return a recommended drive, motion and drive package, with models for your CAD layout.