MOUNTING LATHE ON CHUCKS ROTARY TABLES—WHICH, WHY, AND WHAT THEY’RE USED FOR 

Rotary, Adapter Plate, and Lathe Chuck Assembly

In precision machining, the right workholding setup makes the difference between acceptable results and exceptional ones. Three common—but often misunderstood—workholding components are rotary tables, adapter plates, and lathe chucks. While they frequently work together, each serves a distinct purpose. Here’s how they fit together, why they’re used, and how to choose the right combination for your application.

Rotary Tables: Controlled Rotation for Precision Machining

Tilting Rotary Table 

A tilting rotary table is a machine tool accessory designed to rotate a workpiece accurately around a fixed axis. Mounted on a milling machine or machining center, rotary tables allow machinists to perform circular milling, indexing, gear cutting, bolt-hole patterns, arcs, and complex contours with high precision and repeatability. 

Horizontal & Vertical Rotary TablE

Rotary tables are typically oriented either horizontally or vertically depending on the type of rotary table being used, and the job. On their own, horizontal and vertical rotary tables provide motion—but they require proper workholding to secure the part being machined.

Adapter plates: The essential interface

An adapter plate (sometimes called a mounting plate) is the bridge between the rotary table and the lathe chuck. Rotary tables typically have T-slots, while plain back lathe chucks have their own bolt-hole patterns. Adapter plates solve this mismatch.

Adapter plates ensure accurate alignment, repeatability, and rigidity. They also simplify setup changes—allowing you to swap chucks or fixtures without re-indicating the rotary table each time.

Lathe Chucks: Gripping the Workpiece

A lathe chuck is a workholding device designed to grip round, hexagon, or irregularly shaped parts. While traditionally used on lathes, chucks are commonly mounted to rotary tables for milling operations that require precise rotation. 

Common chuck types include 3-jaw, or 6-jaw scroll chucks, 4-jaw independent-jaw chucks. When mounted on a rotary table the chuck allows secure, centered holding of a workpiece while the table provides controlled rotation. 

PLAIN BACK LATHE CHUCK

Which Fits Which—and Why

• Most commonly, the lathe chuck is mounted onto an adapter plate, then that assembly is mounted to the rotary table.
• The rotary table provides motion and accuracy.
• The adapter plate ensures proper fit, alignment, and rigidity.
• The lathe chuck securely holds the workpiece.
  

Choosing the Right Setup

When selecting components, consider:

• Size and capacity of the rotary table
• Adapter plate should match the rotary table size
• Chuck diameter for your part geometry, and smaller than the adapter plate and rotary table
• A smaller chuck provides access to the fasteners securing the adapter plate to the rotary table.
  

At Travers Tool Co., we offer a wide selection of rotary tables, precision adapter plates, and lathe chucks designed to work together seamlessly, helping you get the most out of your machines and adding versatility to them.

Mounting Instructions:

1. Position the “step” on the adapter plate towards the back of the lathe chuck.
2. Fasten the chuck to the plate using the mounting bolts supplied with the lathe chuck.
3. Insert the centering plug into the adapter plate.
4. Place the assembly onto the rotary table so the centering plug drops into the hole in the rotary table.
5. Align the holes in the adapter plate with the T-slots in the rotary table.
6. Fasten them together using the T-nuts and bolts supplied with the adapter plate.
   
   

Selecting a Lathe Chuck and Adapter Plate for a Rotary Table