Before revision: These motions are not always called by the name indexing, but the idea is essentially similar: The motion of pins inside a pin tumbler lock, which the correct key can move quickly and easily but also rather precisely into the correct position to allow the lock's cylinder to turn Indexable driver bits for screwdrivers The motion of a retractable utility knife blade, which often will have well-defined discrete positions (fully retracted, ¼-exposed, ½-exposed, ¾-exposed, fully exposed) The indexing of a revolver's cylinder with each shot Manufacturing applications Indexing is vital in manufacturing, especially mass production, where a well-defined cycle of motions must be repeated quickly and easily—but precisely—for each interchangeable part that is made.
After revision: These motions are not always called by the name indexing, but the idea is essentially similar: The motion of a retractable utility knife blade, which often will have well-defined discrete positions (fully retracted, ¼-exposed, ½-exposed, ¾-exposed, fully exposed) The indexing of a revolver's cylinder with each shot Manufacturing applications Indexing is vital in manufacturing, especially mass production, where a well-defined cycle of motions must be repeated quickly and easily—but precisely—for each interchangeable part that is made.