White text on a white background displaying the words LYNDEX-NIKKEN in a bold, uppercase font. The text is barely visible due to the lack of contrast with the background.
Customer Zone button

Close-up of hands typing on a laptop keyboard with transparent digital interface icons, including graphs, milling chucks, a gear with a check mark, and five stars, overlaid on the image.

Videos

Nikken Roller Evolution Drive (RED) Rotary Tables

Monday, August 26, 2024

Nikken rotary tables are recognized worldwide for their wear-resistance, rigidity, and high-speed rotation. Nikken rotary tables are designed and built to provide high accuracy, increased production, and a trouble-free long life. Watch the video to see and learn more about Nikken’s Roller Evolution Drive (RED) rotary tables.

The Future of Motion: Roller Evolution Drive (RED) Technology

The Nikken Roller Evolution Drive (RED) represents a paradigm shift in rotary table design. Traditional worm gear systems, while reliable, eventually face mechanical limitations regarding speed and wear. The RED system replaces traditional sliding contact with rolling contact, delivering a zero-backlash solution that is specifically engineered for the high-speed, high-precision demands of modern 4th and 5th-axis machining.

The Engineering Advantage of Rolling Contact

At the heart of the RED system is a specialized roller cam mechanism. This design offers several critical advantages over standard gear-driven tables:

  • Zero Backlash: Because the system utilizes rolling elements under pre-load, there is no “play” or backlash in the system. This allows for incredibly high-speed indexing and continuous milling without the typical positioning errors associated with gear reversal.

  • Minimal Heat Generation: Rolling contact produces significantly less friction than the sliding contact of a worm and wheel. This thermal stability ensures that the table maintains its accuracy even during long, high-speed production cycles.

  • High-Speed Indexing: The reduced friction allows the RED series to achieve indexing speeds that are significantly faster than traditional models, directly reducing cycle times for complex multi-sided parts.

Performance Benefits for Advanced Manufacturing

  • Superior Surface Finish: The elimination of backlash and vibration results in a smoother cutting action. This is particularly noticeable in 5-axis contouring, where the RED system provides a “mirror-like” finish on complex surfaces.

  • Maintenance-Free Accuracy: Unlike traditional systems that require periodic backlash adjustment as gears wear down, the rolling elements in the RED system maintain their precision throughout the life of the table.

  • Enhanced Dynamic Rigidity: The pre-loaded roller system provides exceptional rigidity, allowing for aggressive machining even at high speeds.

Key Industry Applications

The RED series is the premier choice for industries where speed and precision cannot be compromised:

  • Aerospace: Ideal for machining intricate impellers, blisks, and structural components from tough alloys.

  • Medical: Providing the rapid, precise positioning required for orthopedic implants and complex surgical tools.

  • Automotive: Supporting high-efficiency production of powertrain components and specialized tooling.