dTDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose 3-epimerase that acts together with NovU to catalyze the formation of dTDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-5-C-methyl-L-lyxo-hexose from dTDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose in the novobiocin biosynthesis pathway, an aminocoumarin family antibiotic that targets bacterial DNA gyrases. Antibiotic biosynthesis; novobiocin biosynthesis. It is unclear whether NovW acts before or after C-methyltransferase NovU in the novobiocin biosynthesis pathway. Belongs to the dTDP-4-dehydrorhamnose 3,5-epimerase family. Was initially characterized as a 3,5-epimerase in vitro (PubMed:15752721). However, it was later shown that it acts as a dTDP-6-deoxy-D-xylo-4-hexulose 3-epimerase in vivo (PubMed:16514445).