CAM

R.Bharat Balaji AP/MC SNS College Of Technology

What is a cam?
A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a

mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice-versa. It is often a part of a rotating wheel (e.g. an eccentric wheel) or shaft (e.g. a cylinder with an irregular shape) that strikes a lever at one or more points on its circular path. A common example is the camshaft of an automobile, which takes the rotary motion of the engine and translates it into the reciprocating motion necessary to operate the intake and exhaust valves of the cylinders.

Components of Cam Mechanism

A driver member known as the cam. A driven member known as the follower. A frame which supports the cam and guides

the follower.

Classifications of Cam
Cams are classified based on

Shape Follower Movement Manner of Constraint of the follower

Based on Shape
Wedge Cam Cam Radial Cam Spiral

Cylindrical Cam Globoidal Cam

Conjugate Cam

Based on Follower Movement

Motion of the followers are distinguished from

each other by the dwells they have. A dwell is the zero displacement or the absence of motion of the follower during the motion of the cam. Classification : Rise Return Rise Dwell Rise Return Dwell Dwell Rise Dwell Return Dwell

Based on Manner of Constraint of the Follower

Pre-Loaded Spring

Contact between cam and follower is held by a pre-loaded compression spring. Positive-drive Cam Constant touch between cam and follower is maintained by a roller follower operating in the groove of the cam. Gravity Cam Rise is achieved by the rising surface of the cam and the return by the force of gravity.

Types of Followers
Followers are classified according to

Shape Knife Edge

Roller

Mushroom

 According to Movement

Oscillating Follower Follower

Reciprocating

According to Location of Line of Movement Radial Follower Offset Follower

Cam Profile

Definitions
Base Circle

Smallest circle tangent to the cam profile drawn from the centre of rotation of a radial cam. Trace Point Reference point on the follower to trace the cam profile such as the knife-edge of a knife edged follower and centre of the roller of a roller follower. Pitch Curve Curve drawn by the trace point assuming that the cam is fixed, and the trace point of the follower rotates around the cam

Definitions
Pressure Angle

The Pressure Angle represents the steepness of the cam profile, is the angle between the normal to the pitch curve at a point and the direction of the follower motion. Pitch Point Point on the pitch curve with maximum pressure angle Pitch Circle Circle passing through the pitch point and concentric with the base circle Prime Circle Smallest circle drawn tangent to the pitch curve