CAM AND FOLLOWER

Prepared and Presented by: Engr. Reyvencer T. Reyes

1.1 INTRODUCTION
A cam is a machine element that gives a specified periodic motion to another machine element, called the
follower, by direct contact. Usually, the cam has rotational motion, although in some special cases, its motion
may be reciprocation or oscillation.

CAM: specially shaped part designed to move the follower in a controlled fashion.
FOLLOWER: a link constrained to rotate or translate.
1.1 INTRODUCTION

What Cams are used for?

• Valve actuation in IC engine

• Motion control in machinery
• Force generation
• Precise positioning
• Event Timing
1.2 CAMS

There are several types of cams; and it can be described based on the mechanism:
a. Rotating Cam-Translating Follower
b. Rotating Cam- Oscillating Follower
c. Translating Cam- Translating Follower
1.2 CAMS
As described based on the shape:
a. Radial or Disc Cam- the follower reciprocates or oscillates in a direction perpendicular to the
cam axis.
b. Cylindrical Cam- the follower reciprocates or oscillates in a direction parallel to the cam axis.
c. End Cam- Similar to cylindrical cams, but the follower makes contact at periphery of the cam.
1.2 CAMS

1. DISK CAMS

Disk cams are sometimes called plate cams.

They are most common and widely used type of
cam. In this type, contact between the cam and
the follower is maintained by external means such
as a spring, an external load, or both.
1.2 CAMS

2. CYLINDRICAL CAM

This type of cam has a follower that is placed at

a distance from the axis of the cam and its
motion is normal to the plane of rotation.
1.2 CAMS

3. DISK FACE CAM

They are actually disk cams with the follower riding

in a groove in the face of the cam.
1.2 CAMS

4. WEDGE CAM

The wedge cam is actually a disk cam

except that it is in the form of a wedge and
has a reciprocating motion.
1.2 CAMS

Two common methods to close a follower joint in

mechanisms include:
a. Direct Contact (Force Closure): This method
uses a spring or gravity to keep the follower in
contact with the cam, which is simple but may be
unsuitable for high-speed applications due to
potential follower separation.
b. Geometric Closure (Form Closure): This
method employs a grooved cam or conjugate
profile to ensure continuous contact without
external forces, making it ideal for high-speed or
precise applications.
1.2 CAMS

A conjugate cam is a type of cam designed with two

matched profiles that work together to ensure
continuous and precise contact with the follower. In a
conjugate cam mechanism, one cam drives the
follower while the other cam ensures that the follower
remains in contact with the driving cam at all times.
This arrangement eliminates the need for external
forces such as springs, providing smoother operation
and greater accuracy, especially in high-speed or
precise applications.
1.3 CAMS

5. YOKE CAM

The yoke cam is simply an eccentric disk bounded

by a frame, called a yoke, which has only a
reciprocating motion.
1.3 FOLLOWERS
CLASSIFICATION OF FOLLOWERS

According to the surface in contact:

a. Roller Follower- When the contacting end of
the follower is a roller, it is called as the roller
follower.
b. Knife Edge Follower- Knife Edge follower will
have a sharp knife-edge as the contacting
edge on to the Cam.
c. Flat Faced Follower- When the contacting
surface of the follower is perfectly flat, then the
type of follower is called the flat-faced follower.
d. Spherical Faced Follower- When the
contacting surface of the follower is of spherical
1.2 FOLLOWERS
CLASSIFICATION OF FOLLOWERS

According to the motion of the follower:

a. Reciprocating or Transmitting Follower- As we

have discussed different follower in the above
section which is having the translatory motion
towards upward/downward direction, those all come
under the Reciprocating or translating follower.

b. Oscillating or Rotating follower- When the motion

of the cam is converted into the predetermined
oscillatory motion for the follower, such followers
come under the oscillating follower.
1.3 FOLLOWERS

According to the path of motion of the follower:

a. Radial Follower- When the motion of the follower is along an

axis which is passing through the centre of the Cam, then
these types of followers comes under the Radial Followers.

b. Off-set follower- When the motion is in offset distance

between the axis(Motion Axis) of follower and the centre of
the Cam.
1.4 FOLLOWERS
Motion of the follower

As the Cam rotates the follower moves upward and downward.

• The upward movement of the follower is called RISE (outstroke)

• The downward movement is called FALL (return stroke).

• When the follower is not moving upward or downward even the cam rotates, it is called DWELL.
1.4 FOLLOWERS
1.4 FOLLOWERS

Types of follower motion

• Uniform Motion (Constant Velocity)

• Simple Harmonic Motion

1.4 FOLLOWERS

Types of follower motion

• Uniform Acceleration and retardation motion

• Cycloid motion
1.4 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 stationary
cam.
• Prime Circle: the smallest circle from the cam
center through the pitch curve.
1.4 CAM NOMENCLATURE
• Pressure angle: the angle between the direction
of the follower movement and the normal to the
pitch curve.
• Pitch Point: corresponds to the point of
maximum pressure angle.
• Pitch Circle: a circle drawn from the cam center
and passes through the pitch point.
• Stroke: The greatest distance or angle through
which the follower moves or rotates.
1.5 DISPLACEMENT DIAGRAM
The displacement diagram is a specification for the motion desired for the follower as a function of the time.
When cams rotate at a constant speed, time is proportional to the cam rotational angle 𝜃. Since the motion of
the follower is repeated every cam revolution, the diagram is, then, drawn against 𝜃 with length equivalent to one
complete cam revolution, that is, 360°. Its height represents the total follower displacement (lift) from the lowest
position. The diagram consists basically of four portions.
1.6 NORTONS FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF CAM
DESIGN
Norton's Fundamental Law of Cam Design states that the cam profile must be designed so that the follower's
acceleration is finite, continuous, and smooth to avoid high dynamic loads and excessive wear. This law is
essential to ensure the proper functioning and longevity of cam mechanisms.

1. Finite Acceleration: The cam profile must be designed to ensure that the follower's acceleration remains
within acceptable limits. Infinite or excessively high acceleration can lead to mechanical failures and
excessive wear.
2. Continuous Motion: The follower's motion must be continuous without abrupt changes. Discontinuous
motion can cause shocks and vibrations, negatively affecting the mechanism's performance and durability.
3. Smooth Acceleration Curve: The acceleration curve should be smooth, meaning there should be no
sudden changes in acceleration. A smooth curve helps in reducing dynamic loads and achieving more
reliable and efficient operation.
1.6 NORTONS FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF CAM
DESIGN
According to Norton’s Fundamental Law of Cam Design the cam-follower mechanism must have continuous
velocity and acceleration across the entire interval, thus making the jerking finite.
Jerking refers to the rate of change of acceleration of the follower in a cam-follower system. It is the third
derivative of the follower's displacement with respect to time. Mathematically, if 𝑥(𝑡) represents the displacement
of the follower over time, the jerk 𝑗(𝑡) is given by:
1.6 NORTONS FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF CAM
DESIGN
Importance of Minimizing Cam Jerk

1. Smooth Operation: Minimizing jerk ensures smoother operation of the cam-follower system, reducing
vibrations and mechanical shocks.
2. Reduced Wear and Tear: Lower jerk values reduce the dynamic loads on the components, leading to less
wear and tear and extended lifespan of the mechanism.
3. Improved Performance: Smooth transitions in acceleration contribute to better performance and reliability of
the system, especially in high-speed applications.

Designing for Low Jerk to design a cam profile with minimal jerk, engineers often use special curves such as the
modified sine curve, polynomial curves, or spline curves. These curves help in achieving continuous and smooth
acceleration and deceleration, thus reducing the jerk throughout the follower's motion.
1.6 NORTONS FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF CAM
DESIGN
Choosing Cam Functions
1. They must obey the fundamental law
2. Lower Peak Acceleration is better F=ma
3. Lower Peak Velocity lowers KE=0.5mv^2
4. Smoother Jerk means lower vibrations
1.7 ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGES OF A
CAM-FOLLOWER MECHANISM
The following are the advantages of the cam and follower mechanism
• It is a simple mechanism that converts rotary motion to reciprocating motion
• With Proper design, any desired motion of the follower can be achieved.
• This set-up can bear high vibrations
• They are accurate and versatile

The following are the disadvantages of the cam and follower mechanism
• The cam is often subjected to wear and tear.
• The manufacturing cost is high and it must be precise
• The cam and follower setup consume more space
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