Introduction :

Cams come under higher pair mechanisms. In higher pair

the contact between the two elements is either point or line
contact, instead of area in the case of lower pairs.
In CAMs, the driving member is called the cam and the
driven member is referred to as the follower.
CAM is used to impart desired motion to the follower by
direct contact. Generally the CAM is a rotating or
reciprocating element, where as the follower may de
rotating, reciprocating or oscillating element.
Using CAMs we can generate complex, coordinate
movements that are very difficult with other mechanisms.
And also CAM mechanisms are relatively compact and easy
it design. Cams are widely used in automatic machines,
internal combustion engines, machine tools, printing control
mechanisms and so on.
Along with cam and follower one frame also will be there
with will supports the cam and guides the follower.

History:
The illustration at the right is of a Ford , Model T cam lobe
and lifter. Most early cam profiles were of the 3 arc
harmonic type like this one. It is composed of three arcs:
base circle , nose and flank . The arcs are aligned so that
velocity is continuous, but the acceleration curve contains
jump discontinuities at the arc intersections. Each section of
the curve is a trigonometric function.
Simple three arc designs were common until about 1930.
These profiles have no ramp, but the method can be

modified to include a ramp. For the Model A, Ford

incorporated ramps by adding two additional arcs to the
lobe.
METHODOLOGY:
1.Cam Nomenclature:
Base circle : It is the smallest circle that can be drawn to
the cam profile.
Trace point : It is a reference point on the follower and is
used to generate the pitch curve.
Pressure angle : It is the angle between the direction of
the follower motion and a normal to the pitch curve. This
angle is very important in designing a cam profile. If the
pressure angle is too large, a reciprocating follower will jam
in its bearings.
Pitch point : It is a point on the pitch curve having the
maximum pressure angle.
Pitch circle : It is a circle drawn from the centre of the cam
through the pitch points.
Pitch curve : It is the curve generated by the trace point as
the follower moves relative to the cam.
Prime circle : It is the smallest circle that can be drawn
from the centre of the cam and tangent to the pitch curve.
Lift or stroke : It is the maximum travel of the follower from
its lowest position to the topmost position.
2.follower:
When the contacting end of the follower is a perfectly flat face, it is called a
flat-faced follower, as shown in Fig(a).When the flat face follower is circular it
is called a mushroom follower, as shown in Fig(b).

In mushroom follower side thrust is due to friction between the contact surfaces
of cam and follower. The side thrust may be possible to reduce further by
offsetting the axis of the follower
A mushroom follower has the advantage that it does not pose
the problem of jamming the cam (low side thrust). Whereas in
case of flat face follower(which were used in engines in earlier
cars as explained in history) high stresses and wear are quite
high due to deflection and misalignment.
Follower motion:
If we consider cam having follower moving with uniform
velocity it is seen that The follower will experience very high
acceleration at 0 and 240 and very high deceleration at
60 and 180. This can create jerky movement as well as
wear and tear of the machine components.as shown in the
figure(a)
Where as in case of follower with SHM, the change is velocity
after the dwell is not sudden but smooth as shown in
figure(b) (as the displacement pattern is following SHM).
Thus the acceleration and deceleration of the follower is
much lower as compared to that of linear movement pattern.
Thus the motion of the follower is smoother and wear and
tear of the machine components is lower.

CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS

Cam profile:
Depending upon the follower motion and the type of follower
the cam profile obtained is shown below:
Velocity ,acceleration ,and displacement diagram

WORKING (MECHANISM):
Cam and follower is like a four bar chain mechanism
As the cam rotates the follower slides upward or it is lifted
which is called the out stroke
The follower has a PUSH ROD in the form of a bolt on the
other end so that as the flat faced follower is lifted during
outstroke the push rod moves downward .This is because the
follower
Oscillates at its shaft
The follower then moves upward which in turn moves the
valve in the downward direction with the help of push rod
and remains in that position for some time (Dwell period)and
then the follower moves downward depending upon the
spring tension and profile of the cam, which is called the
return stroke
During the return stroke the push rod on the other side
moves upward depending upon the spring tension and
remains in that position till the initial position is reach(Dwell
period)
The mechanism results into opening and closing action of
valve
MATERIAL SELECTION:
Cam material-Aluminium:
It is light in weight
It is strong

 It has a protective (aluminium oxide ) layer which limits

further oxidation (loss) of aluminium
self-healing when scratched
Base (structural support)-wood:
Ease to machine
Easy to fabricate
Exceptionally strong relative to its weight
A good heat and electrical insulator;
It is a renewable and biodegradable resource.
Follower:
Shafts :
Valve:
Pushrod :
Spring :
APPLICATIONS:
The cam and follower mechanism widely used for :
operating the inlet and exhaust valves of internal
combustion engines

automatic attachment of machineries

paper cutting machines

spinning and weaving textile machineries

feed mechanism of automatic lathes etc.
CONCLUSIONS:

One of the advantages of the cam mechanism is

Its simplicity against the complex shaped mechanism in which the production is
considerably difficult.
It`s compact structure
Provide an easier way to convert one form of energy into another(one form of
motion into another)
Reduces cost of production and maintenance in various applications