Cam profile produces a prescribed follower motion.
A cam converts rotation into a prescribed follower motion. Followers can be knife-edge, roller or flat. Motion programs (uniform, SHM, cycloidal) trade smoothness against peak acceleration and jerk. Used in valve trains.
An engine camshaft opens valves at precise crank angles.
Cams and followers produce exact motion profiles, which are ideal for timing valves, feeders and packaging machines.
Cam profile produces a prescribed follower motion.
Cams and followers produce exact motion profiles, which are ideal for timing valves, feeders and packaging machines.
A period in which the follower stays still while the cam rotates. It is used to hold a part or wait for another machine action.
Abrupt acceleration causes high forces and vibration, which increase wear and noise, so curves such as cycloidal or polynomial profiles are preferred.
Typical applications include designing the valve cam of an engine for the required lift, timing the motion of a feeder that places components on a conveyor and creating a profile for a packaging machine that must dwell and return smoothly.
Study "Degrees of freedom" first (topic 84 of 106 in Engineering Mechanics). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.
Base circle and lift. Pressure angle limit about 30°. Cycloidal profile has low vibration.
An engine camshaft opens valves at precise crank angles.
The next topic is "Gears", which builds directly on this one.
It is classed as Advanced in Engineering Mechanics (topic 85 of 106). It is an advanced topic. It assumes you are comfortable with the intermediate topics in Engineering Mechanics.
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