BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF MECHANICAL CAMS AND FOLLOWERS

A cam is a part of rotating wheel or shaft. It is a convenient means of transforming one form of motion (rotary, leaner or reciprocation) to another form of motion to an element known as follower. The cam and the follower have a line/surface contact.

CAM MECHANISM
Cam systems can replace relatively complicated linkages in achieving desirable motion cycles. In all cam systems it is important that the follower is always in contact and following the motion of the cam. This is achieved in a number of ways including the following.

Gravity Using a mechanical constraint system i.e. groove Using a spring force Using a pneumatic or hydraulic force

Path of the follower

180 Rotation of a cam

360

CLASSIFICATION OF CAM MECHANISM

Modes of input/output motion Rotating cam- translating follower

Rotating cam and oscillatory follower

Translating camtranslating follower

CLASSIFICATION OF FOLLOWERS
According to surface contact

KNIFE- EDGE FOLLOWER

When the contacting end of the follower has a sharp knife edge. It is seldom used in practice because the small area of contacting surface results in excessive wear. There is a considerable side thrust between follower and guide.

ROLLER FOLLOWER

when the contacting end of the follower is a roller. Rate of wearing is less then that in knife edge follower. They are used where more space is available. Used in engines ( stationary gas and oil ) and aircraft engines.

 FLAT- FACED FOLLOWER

When the contacting end of the follower, is a perfectly flat faced. The side thrust between the follower and the guide is much less The relative motion between the surfaces is of sliding nature They are used where space is limited Used in cams which operate the valves of automobile engines.

 SPHERICAL FACED FOLLOWER

When the contacting end of the follower is of spherical shape. It is used to minimize the high surface stresses produced in cams.

ACCORDING TO PATH OF MOTION OF FOLLOWER

Radial follower

When the motion of the follower is along an axis passing through the centre of the cam.

Offset follower

When the motion of follower is along an axis, away from the axis of cam centre.

APPLICATIONS OF CAMS

Cams are used in the wipers of the cars. Automatic locking is one of its applications. Cams have a wide application in textile industry like the sewing machine, offset printing etc.. Internal combustion machines also uses cams. Cam is used in position control and indicating mechanism. It is used in precision stepping devices. Cams have a wide application in automobiles too.