Question 1

What is a rotary table and what does it do?

Accepted Answer

A rotary table is a big, round stainless steel turntable that slowly spins to move bottles and jars around for you, a lot like a giant lazy Susan for a production line. Think of the bottles of hot sauce, shampoo, honey, candles or cleaning spray you see on store shelves; before they ship, many of them ride on a rotary table. Here is how it works: (1) containers come onto the spinning disk, either off a conveyor or set down by hand; (2) the disk turns slowly while a rail around the edge keeps everything from falling off; (3) at the end of a line, finished products gather in one spot so a worker can pack them into boxes, and at the start of a line, the table guides empty containers onto the conveyor. The Cleveland Equipment Rotary Table (Open Model), SKU CE-ART-O, can do both jobs.

Question 2

Is there a machine that catches bottles at the end of my filling line so I don't have to grab each one the second it comes off?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that is exactly what an accumulating rotary table is for. Instead of someone standing at the end of the conveyor racing to grab every bottle before they back up and stop the line, the bottles move off the conveyor onto the slowly spinning disk and collect there. Your packer can box them at a steady pace while the filler, capper and labeler keep running. The same table can also work at the front of the line, so nobody has to hand-place empty containers onto the conveyor one at a time.

Question 3

Can the Rotary Table (Open Model) be used to both feed and collect containers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As an unscrambler at the start of a line, you load empty containers onto the disk, and the rotation and guide rail steer them single file onto your conveyor; optional tooless bottle orienting guides help keep them lined up. As an accumulator at the end of a line, it collects filled, capped or labeled containers so product does not pile up on the conveyor and cause slowdowns. Rotation can be set clockwise or counterclockwise to match the direction your line flows.

Question 4

What kinds of products and industries is this rotary table used for?

Accepted Answer

It is built for upright, stable containers such as bottles, jars, cans and tubs in plastic, glass or metal. Common users include food and beverage producers (sauces, dressings, honey, drinks), cosmetics and personal care brands, candle makers, cleaning chemical companies, supplement producers and contract packagers. It fits small businesses adding their first piece of line automation as well as larger plants that need a buffer between machines. If your containers are tall and narrow, square or unusually shaped, call 866-888-6327 so we can confirm how they will ride on the disk.

Question 5

What sizes does the rotary table come in and how much weight can it hold?

Accepted Answer

Standard disk diameters are 36, 48 and 60 inches, and other sizes are available on request. The disk is 1/8-inch (11 gauge) stainless steel, and the table supports a maximum load of 200 lbs. A larger disk gives you more room to accumulate containers, which matters when your filler runs faster than your packers can box.

Question 6

How fast does it spin, and can I change the speed or direction?

Accepted Answer

Speed is adjustable from 0 to 8 RPM with a knob on the variable speed control, driven by a Bodine DC motor. You can match the table to your filler or conveyor output, slow it down for tippy containers, or speed it up for higher volumes. Rotation can be set clockwise or counterclockwise.

Question 7

Will it line up with my existing conveyor and packaging equipment?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. Floor-to-disk height adjusts from 35 to 39 inches using the adjustable leveling pads, so the disk can sit even with your conveyor, and the guide rail adjusts from 0 to 5 inches high to suit different container sizes. It is commonly paired with conveyors, piston fillers, cappers and labelers, including Cleveland Equipment's own line. An optional transfer plate, in side or straight mount, smooths the hand-off between the conveyor and the disk.

Question 8

What is the difference between the Open Model and the Enclosed Model rotary table?

Accepted Answer

Both share the same stainless steel disk, Bodine DC variable speed drive and clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The Open Model (CE-ART-O) uses an open stainless steel frame, which keeps the drive easy to reach and the underside simple to clean, and it is the lower-cost option. The Enclosed Model adds stainless steel panels around the base for a closed cabinet. You can compare both on the Rotary Tables page.

Question 9

Why would I choose the Enclosed Model rotary table instead of the Open Model?

Accepted Answer

Choose the Enclosed Model (CE-ART-E) if you want the motor, gearbox and wiring hidden behind stainless steel panels instead of exposed under the table. The closed cabinet gives you smooth, flat sides that are quicker to wipe down, helps keep spills, dust and debris away from the drive, and keeps hands, mops and cords out of the motor area. It also has a cleaner, finished look for production rooms that customers or inspectors walk through. It runs the same as the Open Model: 36, 48 or 60-inch stainless steel disk, 0 to 8 RPM variable speed, clockwise or counterclockwise rotation, and a 200 lb load capacity. It costs a little more, so if easy under-table access matters more to you than a closed base, the Open Model is the budget-friendly pick.

Question 10

Is there a rotary table that hides the motor and wiring so it's safer and easier to keep clean around food, drinks or cosmetics?

Accepted Answer

Yes, that is what the Enclosed Model rotary table is for. Instead of an open frame where the motor and cords sit out in the open, stainless steel panels close off the base, so there are fewer places for product, crumbs or dust to collect and nothing for a sleeve or broom to catch on. That makes it a popular choice for food, beverage, cosmetic and supplement packaging rooms where the area around the line is cleaned often. For cleaning, wipe the stainless steel with a soft cloth and a mild stainless-safe detergent. The cabinet is not a washdown enclosure, so do not spray water onto the motor, speed control or electrical connections.

Question 11

What options and add-ons are available for the rotary table?

Accepted Answer

Optional upgrades include an infeed table (stainless steel with plastic supports) for hand packing or pushing containers onto the disk, tooless bottle orienting guides, locking casters, dual guide rails, 4-inch stainless steel guide rails, and a transfer plate for a smoother container transition in side or straight mount. The infeed table bolts to pre-drilled holes on the frame, so it can be added later.

Question 12

What does it take to install and maintain, and is there a warranty?

Accepted Answer

Setup is straightforward: level the table on its adjustable pads, set the disk height and guide rail, and plug it into a standard 115V, single-phase, 60 Hz outlet; the manual recommends having qualified personnel handle the electrical connection. Day-to-day care is wiping the stainless steel with a soft cloth and a mild stainless-safe detergent, rinsing away any chlorinated cleaners, and never spraying water on the motor, speed control or electrical connections. It is made in the USA with 100% UL certified components and backed by a 12-month limited warranty.

CE-ART-E Enclosed Rotary Accumulation Table*

Details

Machine comes with a 1 year limited part warranty and tech support.