Automatic indexing rotary table system
Early automatic lathes required operators to manually replace bar materials whenever machining was completed.
As a result, machines could only operate during daytime working hours and remained idle at night.
To improve productivity, automatic bar feeders “Auto Bars” were introduced.
This innovation enabled unattended nighttime operation, significantly increasing machine uptime and production efficiency.
With the introduction of automatic bar feeders, automatic lathes were able to run unattended throughout the night.
In simple terms, operating time increased from 8 hours to 24 hours a day, tripling productivity.
However, a new challenge emerged.
All parts produced overnight were collected together in a single can. If defective products were generated during the night or early morning, operators could only remove the defective parts they could easily identify from the top of the can, while the remaining products continued to be shipped.
As a result, maintaining stable product quality became extremely difficult.
This was more than 30 years ago.
The count selector is available in 6-position and 8-position models,and the quantity per can can be freely set in single-unit increments.
When the preset quantity is reached, the unit rotates one step clockwise and automatically switches to the next empty can.
The 6-position model can hold 6 cans, while the 8-position model can hold 8 cans.
Once the final can is full, the automatic lathe stops automatically.
This system enables stable quality control and highly efficient production, even during unattended nighttime operation.
By using the count selector, productivity is improved while also enabling stable chronological quality control of set screws.
Even in the event of dimensional changes, tool wear, or defects caused by tool chipping, it is possible to separate fully acceptable batches from batches containing defective products.
A device we named the Count Selector (CS)
Our company equips all cam-type automatic lathes with our proprietary device called the Count Selector (CS).This device allows the number of finished parts per container (can) to be freely set. Once the preset quantity is reached, the system automatically rotates one step and directs the next parts into the following container.Even during unattended nighttime operation, it enables time-sequenced separation of products,ensuring stable and reliable quality control.
Quality Control Based on Chronological Numbering
At our company, product quality is managed in a time-sequenced manner.
Products machined on automatic lathes are collected in sieves. These sieves are replaced at fixed quantities, and production is managed in sequential lots based on manufacturing order.
The process then continues while maintaining the order of the sieves: washing, inspection, counting, and bagging.
In addition, number tags (No. 1–30) are assigned to each piece of equipment to clearly identify the product flow.
For each product, the following information is recorded:
●automatic lathe number
●production date
●number tag ID
This ensures full traceability.
This system makes it easier to monitor trends in dimensional changes and tool wear, and even in the event of defects, the affected range can be limited, enabling stable and consistent quality control.
