Cams
Cams
Cams
Mohamed Omer
1.1 INTRODUCTION
A cam is a higher paired machine member which is
used to impart specified motion, by direct contact, to
another machine element, called follower. A cam may
also be defined a convenient device transforming one
type of motion into another. The Cam has a curved or
grooved surface which mates with the follower to
impart a specified motion to it.
ELEMENTS OF CAM:
Cam is known as driver member
Follower is known as driven member
The one that supports the cam and
guides the follower is known as frame.
TYPES OF CAMS :
Cams are classified according to :
a- Shape,
b- Follower movement, and
c- Manner of constraint of the follower.
ACCORDING TO SHAPE
1- Wedge and flat cams
A wedge cam has a translational motion. The follower can either
translate or oscillate. A spring is usually used to maintain the
contact between the cam and follower.
A flat cam
In the groove,
the follower is held as shown
2- Radial / Plate cam
A cam in which the follower moves radially from the
center of rotation of the cam is known as a radial or a
disk cam. Radial cams are very popular due to their
simplicity.
3- Cylindrical cam
Here a cylinder has a circumferential contour cut in the
surface and the cam rotates about its axis. The follower
motion is either oscillating or reciprocating type. These
cams are also called drum or barrel cams.
4- End cam :-
This cam has a rotating portion of a cylinder. The
follower translates or oscillates, whereas the cam
usually rotates. The end cam is not common because the
difficulty in cutting its contour.
3- Gravity cam
It is simple and effective and can be used with rotating
disk or end cams if the weight of the follower system is
enough to keep it in constant contact with
the cam profile.
TYPES OF FOLLOWERS
Followers are classified according to :
a- Shape , and
b- Location of line of movement
According to shape
1- Knife-edge follower
It is consist of a follower that is formed to
a point and drags on the edge of the cam.
It is a simplest form, but the sharp edge
produces high contact stresses and wears
rapidly.