ECCENTRIC CAMS

ABSTRACT:

A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage used especially in transforming rotary motion into
linear motion. 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.

The cam can be a simple tooth, as is used to deliver pulses of power to a steam hammer, for example, or an
eccentric disc or other shape that produces a smooth reciprocating (back and forth) motion in the follower,
which is a lever making contact with the cam.

Certain cams can be characterized by their displacement diagrams, which reflect the changing position a roller
follower (a shaft with a rotating wheel at the end) would make as the cam rotates about an axis.

A simple displacement diagram illustrates the follower motion at a constant velocity rise followed by a similar
return with a dwell in between as depicted in the next figure.

Types of cams

Cams can be classified into the following three types based on their shapes. They are:

1.- Plate or disk cams: Plate or disk cams are the simplest and most common type of cam. This type of cam is
formed on a disk or plate. The radial distance from the center of the disk is varied throughout the
circumference of the cam. Allowing a follower to ride on this outer edge gives the follower a radial motion.
Often used on tracer-type milling machines.
2.- Cylindrical or drum cam: A cylindrical or drum cam is illustrated in the next figure. This type of cam is
formed on a cylinder. A groove is cut into the cylinder, with a varying location along the axis of rotation.
Attaching a follower that rides in the groove gives the follower motion along the axis of rotation. Often used
to guide thread on sewing machines, loom and fabric making machines.

3.- Linear cam: A linear cam is illustrated in figure (c). This type of cam is formed on a translated block. A
groove is cut into the block with a distance that varies from the plane of translation. Attaching a follower that
rides in the groove gives the follower motion perpendicular to the plane of translation. Used frequently in
machines that carry out the same repetitive movement

ECCENTRIC CAM

An eccentric cam is a disc with its centre of rotation positioned ‘off centre’. This means as the cam rotates the
flat follower rises and falls at a constant rate. This type of cam is the easiest to make and yet it is one of the
most useful. An Eccentric Cam would normally provide the follower with Simple Harmonic Motion (this can
be defined as the projection of a point on the diameter of a circle as it precesses around it with constant
angular velocity).

MEMBERS:

Carlos Enrique Guzmán Alvarado

Luis Gerardo Rueda Mares

José Emilio Avila Castillo

Carlos Antonio Ramírez Peña