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Modern automated production lines increasingly demand not just precision motion but flexibility and ease of integration. For manufacturers who need programmable indexing with minimal setup time, Motion Index Drives and SunSource offer a turnkey package that combines rugged mechanical indexers with preconfigured drive and control systems — significantly reducing engineering time and installation risk.
The turnkey package is built around precision rotary index tables paired with a pre-programmed Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) or servo drive system. Instead of delivering a bare mechanical indexer and leaving control programming to your team, this solution ships with the drive configured to your motion requirements.
Key Components:
Zero-backlash cam index table core — extremely rigid and suitable for high-precision positioning.
Pre-configured drive system — typically an Emerson Digitax ST drive paired with Emerson Unimotor, programmed by SunSource engineers to match your required index angles and speeds.
Software profiles included — pre-populated movement profiles and auto-tune functionality for faster commissioning.
This combination gives you accurate, programmable indexing without the usual integration challenges of independently pairing cams, motors, and controls.
Traditional cam index tables are set to fixed index steps determined by mechanical ratios. The turnkey solution takes that base mechanical precision and pairs it with a programmable drive layer:
The VFD/servo driver comes pre-set with motion profiles that match your cycle requirements, including:
Desired index angle and velocity
Safe torque off / integrated motion controls
Ethernet and multiple communication options
This means your programmable rotary index table can start running right away with minimal configuration.
With a programmable drive, the index table is not limited to one fixed index angle — it can:
Execute custom motion sequences
Adapt to changes in cycle or dwell requirements
Recover from out-of-position conditions using VFD control features (like inverter feedback and tuning)
🔹 Reduced engineering hours – No need to write motion code from scratch
🔹 Faster commissioning – VFD/servo settings pre-tuned to your application
🔹 Improved integration with PLC/HMI – Standard communications and Ethernet networks
🔹 High-precision motion – Backlash-free cam mechanics + advanced drive control
🔹 Greater flexibility – Program changes without mechanical rework
This blended mechanical-electronic solution is especially valuable for automated assembly, test systems, and indexing applications where both precision and adaptability matter.
This turnkey approach is ideal when you want:
Rapid deployment of indexing equipment into a new cell
High precision and repeatability without extensive control engineering
A solution that integrates cleanly with existing automation systems
Flexibility for future motion changes without mechanical modifications
Pre-programmed drives eliminate a common bottleneck in machine integration — control setup — making your rotary indexer a plug-and-run asset rather than just another mechanical component.
