Walchand College Of Engineering, Sangli

(An Autonomous Institute)

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Polytechnic Wing

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

Mr. M. S. Patil

A MICROPROJECT ON
Cam and follower

SUBMITTED BY
Om Kudalkar (219)

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 ACADEMIC YEAR 2023-24

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Polytechnic Wing

Walchand College of Engineering, Sangli

(An Autonomous Institute)

CERTIFICATE
Certified That This Project Report Titled “Cam and follower" Is The Work Under My
Guidance for The Partial Fulfillment Of The Award Of S.Y. Mechanical Diploma Under
Walchand College Of Engineering, Sangli, For The Academic Year 2023-24.

Mr. M. S. Patil Mr. A. V. KAMBLE

Project Head Vice Principal

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 INDEX

Sr No. Title page No.

From To

1 Chapter 1- Introduction 4 4

2 Chapter 2- types of cam 5 7

3 Chapter 3- types of follower 8 9

4 Chapter 4 - working principle 10 10

5 Chapter 5- Terminology 11 11

6 Chapter 6 – application 12 12

7 Chapter 7 - significance of cam and 13 13

follower
8 Chapter 8 - conclusion 14 14

9 Chapter 9 - referance 15 15

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 Chapter 1 – Introduction

In mechanical engineering, engineers often utilize a higher pair links mechanism that is recognized as Cam
and Follower Mechanism. This pair of higher links are utilized to move links spontaneously or periodically.

Although, cam and follower mechanisms are also utilized by engineers to assuring zero or minimum
degree of error. The device that is known as Cam in the 3rd century was designed by Hellenistic water-
driven automata.

Alongside, that device was found in the 4th century in Al-jazari design. The Cam and Follower Mechanism
is mainly utilized in IC engines for driving the valves. Apart from that, the mechanism is usually utilized by
engineers as a part of the I.C.Es timing system.

Moreover, in the automotive industry Cam-Follower mechanism is utilized to drive fuel pumps.
Furthermore, when numerous cams are integrated within a single shaft it is called a camshaft.

The mechanism is designed by combining three members they are, a driver member named Cam, a frame
that supports the cam, and a follower, the follower is guided by the frame, and lastly, the driven member
is called a follower.

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 Chapter 2- types of cam
A cam is a rotating element that gives oscillating or reciprocating motion to the follower which is another
element of this machine by direct contact.

This part is specifically utilized to convert the motion from rotary into linear to another part. It is a part of
a machine which can be a rotating wheel (an electric wheel) or a shaft that hits a lever’s different points at
its circular path.

In a steam hammer, an engineer can utilize a cam as a simple tooth to deliver pulses of power to a Steam
Hammer.

Types of Cam:
There are different types of cams available, which are listed below:

• Disk or Plate cam

• Cylindrical cam
• Translating cam

• Wedge cam
• Spiral cam
• Heart-shaped cam

Disk or Plate Cam:

The disk (or plate) cam has not normal shape to transmit a specific motion to the follower.

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Cylindrical Cam:
The cylindrical cam has a groove in a cylindrical surface and the follower runs on the cylindrical surface
parallel to the axis of the cylinder.

Translating Cam:
Translating cam has a grooved or contoured plate and its follower oscillates in the face of the plate. The
groove or the shape has specified the motion of the follower.

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Wedge Cam:
The wedge cam has an angled flat regular contour to impart a precise motion to the follower.

Spiral Cam:
The spiral cam has a half-circular or a spiral-shaping grooved contour, the cam drives in reciprocating
motion and the follower moves vertically to the axis of the cam.

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 Chapter 3- types of follower

Types of Followers:
There were different types of followers which are bellowed:

• Knife edge follower

• Roller follower
• Flat-faced follower
• Spherical follower
• Radial follower
• Offset Follower

Knife-edge Follower:
This type of follower has a keen area of contact with the cam. This is the easiest among all of the followers
and these types of followers are not in usage in the case of fast applications, because of its sharp rim.

Roller Follower:
This type of follower is primarily utilized in high-speed operation because it has smooth contact
with the surface. This kind of follower has minor wear and tear as compared to the other followers.

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Flat-faced Follower:
This kind of follower looks like a flat surface with an irregular cam. This kind of cam is utilized when
the space is limited and this follower can oppose more side thrust. This follower can also be utilized in an
accuracy application.

Spherical Follower:
This kind of follower has a curved but normal follower as well as a cam. This is a transformation of a flat-
faced follower.

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 Chapter 4- working principle
The working principle of Cam and Follower relies on the mechanism of the mixture of both Cam
and Follower.

Cam Mechanism:
Cam is a mechanical component that is a rotating circle or eclipse about the nominal axis of the
Follower.

Hence it can be described easily that Cam is a mechanical component that transfers reciprocating,
oscillating, or linear motion to the Follower.

Cam’s shape is usually an oval or an imperfect circle or an eclipse. If an engineer assumes an oval-
shaped Cam then he or she can see the movements which will form the outer burge, which is periodic to
its locus.

This outer burge is very helpful and effective for works that are periodic mechanical. There are two
kinds of Head Cams. The first is a Single Head Cam and the second is Multiple Head Cam.

Cam is Rotating about a nominal axis or respect to Follower.

Follower Mechanism:
A follower is a mechanical element about which, the Cam rotates in an oscillatory or circular
motion. The follower inhibits the push and pull of the Cam. A follower is utilized to transmit the motion to
the needed machine part.

The Follower rotates in an oscillating or circular arc.

The mechanism for Cam and the mechanism for Follower rely upon each other so that is the major
mechanism of Cam and Follower.

The mechanism of the Cam and Follower is necessary for the engineering field and has numerous
different functions for distinct machines.

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 Chapter 5- Terminology

The Terminology of a Cam:

Cam Profile:
It is the surface area of a cam where the follower connects.

Base Circle:
It is the smallest circle of a cam profile drawn from the center of rotation of the cam.

Trace Point:
By this point, we can draft the cam profile.

Pitch Curve:
This curve is developed if we suppose the cam is fixed and the tracepoint of the follower moves around
the cam.

Pressure Angle:
It is created between the normal pitch curve and the line of motion of the follower.

Pitch Point:
At this point the pressure angle is maximum.

Pitch Circle:
It is the circle which passes through the pitch point.

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 Chapter 6- Application

Applications of Cam and Follower:

There are so numerous various applications of the Cam and Follower mechanism. Those are:

• Internal Combustion Engine to shut and unplug the outlet valve and intake valve.
• Automated Types of machinery, Cam and Follower are utilized in various parts which are
automated in motion.
• In Hydraulic Systems, the primary mechanism is Cam and Follower mechanism.
• In that case, the mechanism is dependent on the fluid pressure.

• In Printing Machinery, the mechanism of the Cam and Follower enables the screen to be printed.
The push aids take the position where the printing will be accomplished and the pull supports to
print on that.
• In Textile Kinds of machinery, the mechanism of the Cam and Follower aids to stitch clothes by a
push and pull to move the Maku.
• Screw pieces of machinery.
• Gear-Cutting Machineries.
• Wall-Clock.
• Automatic Lathe Machine

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 Chapter 7- significance of cam and follower

In the field of mechanical engineering, the Cam-follower mechanism plays an important role in
fulfilling an even distribution of forces in a single machine component.

By merging a cylindrical roller with a machine component spontaneous movement can be

completed by an engineer.

Cam follower can be utilized in a machine component because of the shape and size of the nut.
Apart from that, types of linear motions can be seen by operating the mechanism.

Moreover, due to higher thickness as compared to other bearings Cam follower mechanism can
absorb a higher amount of shock that increases the mechanical efficiency of a machine component.

Also, the mechanism is completely universal in that it can be utilized in a soda machine or also in
an aircraft application. Similarly, the mechanism is also utilized in the conveyor belt.

In the case of engines, bearing the load of a camshaft can effortlessly be created by employing the
fundamental strategy of a crankshaft bearing.

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 Chapter 8- conclusion

The cam follower mechanism plays a powerful role as it is employed to drive a minute machine
element seamlessly. Central locks and standard lock systems are also produced by combining the
mechanism of the cam and follower.

Different terminologies are combined with the mechanism that has to be comprehended by the
user of the mechanism. Some of the terminologies are tracepoint, pitch curve, pressure angle, and so on.

Cam and follower mechanisms are not a little part of mechanical engineering. Therefore, accuracy
and tolerance are needed to implement the mechanism in practice.

At first, the user should be conscious of the links and pairs before understanding the conception of
cam and follower.

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 Chapter 9- reference

TeckKnowledge publication
-By S. D. ambatkar

https://camandfollower
https://terminologyofcamandfollower
https://applicationofcamandfollower

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