MECH 412

Dynamics and Control Systems Lab

Spring 2015

Cam Analysis Experiment

Cam and Follower

The cam and follower is a device

which can convert rotary motion
(circular motion) into linear motion
(movement in a straight line).

Cam
s

Followe
r

Cam

Follower
s
(valves)

Applications

Examples of a Rotary cams in operation.

Control the movement of the engine

valves.

Cams used in a
pump.

Types of Cams
Cams are classified according to
1. shape,
2. follower movement, and
3. manner of constraint of the follower.

Types of Follower

A follower is a component
which is designed to move
up and down as it follows
the edge of the cam.

Knife
edge
Follower

Follower

cam

Flat foot

Off set

Roller

follower

follower

followe
r

Types of Cams (shape)

Wedge and Flat Cams

Spiral Cams

Radial or Disc Cams

Cylindrical

Types of Follower Motion

Cam and Follower

The linear cam moves backwards and forwards in a

reciprocating motion.
Cam Follower

Distance
moved by
the
follower

Linear
cam

Cam and Follower

Cams can also be cylindrical in shape
Below a cylindrical cam and roller
follower.

Cam rise and Fall

The cam follower does not

have to move up and down - it
can be an oscillating lever as
shown above.

Max Lift

Min Lift

Follower Displacement Diagram

Common Types of Follower

Displacement
Constant velocity cam (Uniform Motion Cam)
Constant acceleration cam (Parabolic Cam)
Simple Harmonic Motion Cam
Cycloidal Cam
Polynomial Cam

1.Constant Velocity Cam

2.Constant Acceleration Cam

3. Simple Harmonic Motion Cam

(SHM)

h

s 1 cos
2

v

sin
2

cos
2

3

h
sin
2

4.Cycloidal Cam
h
s

sin

ds
v
dt
2
h

1 cos

What would be the follower acceleration

and jerk?

Requirement of Good Cam design

The cam function must be continuous through the first
and second derivatives of displacement across the entire
interval (360 degrees).
So, the jerk function will then be finite across the entire
interval (360 degrees).

References
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/tiwarishbh-1376
343-kom-ppt-cam
/
http://
books.google.ae/books?id=fK_Q3XNEpMAC&pg=PR8&dq=in
troduction+to+cam+design&hl=ar&sa=X&ei=ZXIbU-a8B8T
V4wSvmoGoAQ&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=introducti
on%20to%20cam%20design&f=false
http://www.google.ae/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=8&cad=rj
a&uact=8&ved=0CEQQFjAH&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t4.ie
%2FProfessional_Development%2FRD8_Technology
%2FStructures%2520%26%2520Mechanisms
%2FCams.ppt&ei=TXgbU8GlF6Xy7AanoHQCw&usg=AFQjCNGse1DIGNty6RhKGDiDGsOJgx0AKQ&bv
m=bv.62578216,d.bGE
Prof. Kamal Moustafa, Introduction to cam design,
Kinematics Design of Machinery Course, Summer 2012, UAE