A specialized workpiece holder used in conjunction with a milling machine, this device allows for precise rotational positioning of a part. It enables the creation of evenly spaced features like gear teeth, splines, and bolt holes. For instance, creating a hexagonal nut requires six equal rotations of the workpiece, and this device ensures each face is machined accurately.
This tooling offers significant advantages in manufacturing, facilitating the production of complex components with high accuracy and repeatability. Its ability to divide a circle into practically any number of divisions is essential for industries requiring intricate parts. Historically, the need for precise angular divisions predates modern machining, with evidence of similar principles applied in clockmaking and astronomical instrumentation. This legacy continues in contemporary manufacturing, enabling advancements across various sectors.