Rotary transfer indexing machine

A rotary indexing transfer machine comprising:

• a machine frame;
• a rotating table-, supported on said machine frame so as to rotate about an indexing axis;
• at least one workpiece carrying spindle comprising a hollow shaft for receiving therein a workpiece and a clamping device for clamping the workpiece inserted in said hollow shaft,
• wherein said clamping device comprises a collet that is coupled to the workpiece carrying spindle,
• wherein said workpiece carrying spindle is mounted on said rotating table, and
• wherein said hollow shaft and said collet of said at least one workpiece carrying spindle are connected for joint rotation about a spindle rotation axis;
• at least one support provided in fixed position next to said rotating table, said fixed position setting up a work station;
• at least one machining station having at least one machining unit supported on said support so as to allow machining of the workpiece clamped in said collet at said work station;
• at least one drive motor for rotating said hollow shaft and said collet about said spindle rotation axis;
• and
• an indexing device mounted on the machine frame and comprising indexing means for rotary indexing of the rotating table so as to position the at least one workpiece carrying spindle at a respective said work station,
• wherein said at least one drive motor is mounted on said rotating table in a position such as to allow machining of the workpiece, clamped in said collet, from two axially opposite machining directions and from a radial machining direction, and
• wherein said indexing means are actuatable in an operative indexing arrangement for rotary indexing of the rotating table and in a non-operative arrangement in which they allow machining of the workpiece, clamped in said collet, from two axially opposite machining directions and from a radial machining direction.