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Patent or utility model protection

In the expedited examination proceedings for the grant of patent or utility model protection, the patent attorneys' wording on May 28, 1980, is as follows:

"The table of the rotary indexing unit rotates around a hollow central axis that is fixed within the housing, whereas in known rotary indexing units, the central axis rotates with the table. This has the advantage that a stationary central column can be screwed into the fixed hollow central axis, to which further elements or processing devices can be mounted. In the case of known rotary indexing units, however, all additional devices must be mounted on externally arranged stands, which is more complex and takes up more space."

Quote from the letter of patent attorneys Dipl. Ing. Westphal, Dr. Mussgnug and Dr. Buchner

Modularity

The two compact sizes at that time (now four) were designed in grid dimensions in a type of cubic shape and are directly matched to one another – modularity as an integral product component.

Even the very first sales brochure points out the modular system in its heading:

“Building blocks for supplementing fixture and special-purpose machine construction
as well as for streamlining production and assembly”.

The founders achieved their own high standard of simple, fast, yet precise assembly of the components with one another through a proprietary centering attachment using centering rings and corresponding square-arranged mounts, through-holes, and threaded holes.

In addition to translational movements, rotary handling tasks were a particular incentive for the company founders.

The swivel units, once still referred to as “rotary units,” already featured external stops that were easy to adjust. The product portfolio at that time already included a very compact rotary indexing table with a square footprint, whose side length corresponds to the diameter of the rotary plate. Ahead of its time, this table featured a fixed center bore. A special feature for space-saving routing of power lines or for mounting various handling tasks.