Abstract: An apparatus for adding an additional rotational axis in a multi-axis tooling machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base unit, an indexer disk, a securement mechanism, and a pointer mechanism. The base unit is supported by the tooling machine, and the indexer disk is supported by the base unit. The indexer disk includes a periphery with a plurality of grooves spaced at radial angles with respect to a rotation axis of the indexer disk. The securement mechanism is adjustable to a fixed state in which it prevents the indexer disk from rotating, and to a released state in which the securement mechanism releases the indexer disk for rotation. The pointer mechanism is disposed at the periphery of the indexer disk for releasable engagement with the plurality of grooves. A method for adding an additional rotation axis to a multi-axis tooling machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for adding an additional rotational axis in a multi-axis tooling machine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base unit, an indexer disk, a securement mechanism, and a pointer mechanism. The base unit is supported by the tooling machine, and the indexer disk is supported by the base unit. The indexer disk includes a periphery with a plurality of grooves spaced at radial angles with respect to a rotation axis of the indexer disk. The securement mechanism is adjustable to a fixed state in which it prevents the indexer disk from rotating, and to a released state in which the securement mechanism releases the indexer disk for rotation. The pointer mechanism is disposed at the periphery of the indexer disk for releasable engagement with the plurality of grooves. A method for adding an additional rotation axis to a multi-axis tooling machine is also disclosed.