CAM and Follower MECHANISM

Definition

A cam may be defined as a machine element having a curved outline or a curved groove, which, by its oscillation, rotation or reciprocating motion, gives a predetermined specified motion to another element called the follower .
It is usually consists of a cam (the driver), the follower (the driven element), and the frame (the support for the cam and the follower).

PARTS OF CAM MECHANISM

Classification of Cams According to Shape

Radial/Disc/Plate Cam
The follower moves in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cam. Mostly use type of cam. Made up of a flat plate or disc with an edge profile to transmit motion.

Translation/Wedge Cam
The cam moves over and back, reciprocating motion, which drives the follower vertically.

Cylindrical/Barrel Cam
The roller follower operates in a groove cut on the periphery of a cylinder. The follower may translate or oscillate.

Face cam
In its flat surface, this rotary cam has a groove cut within which a constrained follower moves. The groove ensures no need for a return spring.

End cam
In this case the end of the cylindrical cam has the profile machined on the end.

Classification of Follower
Reciprocating follower Follower arrangement

RECIPROCATING FOLLOWERS

Knife edged follower

This is the simplest type and not often used due to the rapid rate of wear. It is usually use for reciprocating motion, running in slides and there is considerable side thrust.

Roller follower
Uses a roller and eliminates rapid wear of follower.

This has the advantage that the only side thrust present is that due to the friction between the follower and the cam.

The spherical face of the follower has a large radius that compensates for detrimental deflection or misalignment that may occur with the flat mushroom follower.

According to motion of the follower

Follower arrangement

In-line follower
the center line of the follower passes through the center line of the camshaft.

Offset follower
the center line of the follower does not pass through the center line of the cam shaft. The amount of offset is the distance between these two center lines. The offset causes a reduction of the side thrust present in the roller follower.

Radial follower
rotates or oscillates as the cam is in rotational motion.

CAM Nomenclature
Cam profile: The outer surface of the disc cam. Base circle : The circle with the shortest radius from the cam center to any part of the cam profile. Trace point: It is a point on the follower, and its motion describes the movement of the follower. It is used to generate the pitch curve.

Pitch curve : The path generated by the trace point as the follower is rotated about a stationery cam. Prime circle: The smallest circle from the cam center through the pitch curve Pressure angle: The angle between the direction of the follower movement and the normal to the pitch curve. Pitch point: Pitch point corresponds to the point of maximum pressure

Pitch circle: A circle drawn from the cam center and passes through the pitch point is called Pitch circle Stroke: The greatest distance or angle through which the follower moves or rotates

Types of follower motion

1.

2.
3.

Uniform motion ( constant velocity) Simple harmonic motion Uniform acceleration and retardation motion

A period is a part of the cam cycle and it includes the following:

Rise (Outstroke) the upward motion of the follower caused by cam motion. Fall (Return stroke) the downward motion of the follower caused by cam motion. Dwell the stationary position of the follower caused by cam motion.

Modes of Input / Output Motion

Rotating

cam-translating follower Rotating follower The follower arm swings or oscillates in a circular arc with respect to the follower pivot. Translating cam-translating follower Stationary cam-rotating follower The follower system revolves with respect to the center line of the vertical shaft.

1 .The most well known use of cams is in car engines. The Cam operated valve system can be found in modern car engines and incorporates a number of cams; the valves are opened by cams, four- and six-lobed cams govern the spark distribution and many car petrol oil pumps are cam driven.

2 . These are used in wall clock

3 . These are used in feed mechanism In automatic lathe machine

4. These are used in paper cutting machine. 5 . It is use in textile machine

6. Cams convert rotary oscillating or linear motion into a linear or reciprocating action to carry out useful work.

VI. Constraints on the Follower

In all cam systems it is important that the follower is always in contact and following the motion of the cam. Gravity constraint The weight of the follower system is sufficient to maintain contact. Spring constraint The spring must be properly designed to maintain contact.

Positive mechanical constraint A groove maintains positive action. Example is the Constantdiameter cam shown in the left.

SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION