Course: Mechanisms of Textile Machines

BY: Banteamlak Birlie (MSc)

2014 E.C
 Cam drive

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 2
 Cam Drive
❑ A cam is a rotating machine element which gives reciprocating or oscillating
motion to another element known as follower.
➢Through a specified motion by direct contact.
✓ So that cam system consists of the cam itself and the follower.
❑ Cams are usually rotated at uniform speed by a shaft, but the follower
motion is predetermined and will be according to the shape of the cam.

❑ Cam may translate or rotate while the follower may translate or oscillate
which provides the output motion.
➢A cam converts an input motion (usually rotary
motion) into either reciprocating or oscillatory
output action.
✓ Usually cams rotate at a constant angular speed
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 3
 Cont…
❑Cam and follower mechanisms are used extensively in
modern machinery because of,
❖ Simple and inexpensive,
➢ Cam is versatility and flexibility in the design.
✓ Follower motions having almost any desired
characteristics are not difficult to design.
➢Having few moving parts.
➢Occupy a very small space.
❑ The cam drives are most widely used for operating
➢ Inlet and exhaust valves of internal combustion engines,
➢ Spinning and weaving textile machineries,
➢ Feed mechanism of automatic lathes
➢ Automatic attachment of machineries, and paper cutting machines, etc.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 4
 Applications of cams in textile industry
❑ Applications of cams in textile industry
❖ Ring frame – for producing cop build and combined build
❖ Face cam in double flanged bobbin winder for linear traverse
❖ Eccentric cam for rocking shaft for lifting the cradle in the case of yarn breakage
❖ As traversing mechanism for beam press motion
❖ As face cam for linear traverse in semi-automatic pirn winder
❖ As linear traverse for yarn on pirn in auto pirn winder
❖ As matched cam shedding in shuttles looms
❖ As cam shedding in modern looms
❖ As fabric folding unit in fabric folding machine
❖ As a cam for needle motion in weft knitting
❖ As a sinker cam for movement of sinkers in circular weft knit machine.
❖ As a pair of cams in cam dobby in weaving.
❖ As a cam for purl and interlock structures in weft knitting
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 5
 Applications of Cams in Textile Industry

Cam for builder motion

in ring frame
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 6
 Classification of Follower
❑ Follower may be classified based on:
❖ Follower surface contact
❖ Follower motion
❖ Follower line of motion
1) By follower surface contact
a) Knife edge follower
➢A sharp knife edge is in contact with the cam.
❖ It produces excessive wear of the cam.
✓ So that have no practical application.

b) Roller follower
➢A cylindrical roller held by a pin to the
follower assembly with a contact to cam.
➢These type of follower reduce wear on
cam surface at high speed.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 7
 Cont…

c) Flat face follower

➢The flat face is in contact with cam.
➢This type of follower cause high
frictional force.

d) Spherical face follower

➢To reduce frictional force, the flat surface
is modified to a spherical surface with a
large radius.
➢ The spherical face is in contact with the
cam.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 8
 Cont…

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 9
 Cont…
2) By type of follower motion
a) Oscillating or rotating follower.
➢For a uniform rotary motion of the cam, the
follower oscillates through a certain angle.

b) Reciprocating or translating follower.

➢As the cam rotates, the follower reciprocates in the guides.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 10
 Cont…
3) By follower line of motion
a) Radial follower,
➢Follower translate along an axis passing through the cam centre of rotation

b) Off set follower,

➢The axis of follower movement is displaced from the cam centre of rotation
c) Oscillating follower,
➢The follower oscillate about the axis of the follower through a certain angle

Radial follower Off set follower

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 11
 Classification of cam
❑ Cam may be classified based on:
❖ Cam shape
❖ Follower motion
❖ Cam constraint

A) By cam shape
1) Plate, or disk cam,
➢ This cam has an irregular contour to
impart a specific motion to the follower.
➢ The follower moves in a plane perpendicular
to the axis of rotation of the cam shaft.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 12
 Cont…
b) Wedge or translating cam
➢ This cam is a contoured plate sliding on a guiding surface(s).
➢ The contour shape is determined by the specified motion of
the follower.
➢ The follower may oscillate or reciprocate.

c) Cylindrical or barrel cam

➢ This cam has a groove cut along its
cylindrical surface.
➢ The roller follows the groove, and
follower moves in a plane parallel to
the axis of rotation of the cylinder.
d) End or face cam
❑ This cam has a groove cut on its face.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 13
 Cont…
❑ The least common in practical application is the wedge cam,
➢Because of its need for a reciprocating rather than continues input motion.
✓ So that the most common is plate cam.

B) By follower motion
➢Translatory
➢Oscillatory

C) By cam constraint
❑ Spring or pre-load cam
➢Cam and follower is in contact by external force provided by springs.
❑ Gravity,
➢It is a positive return cam because it does not required external force
to keep the contact between cam and follower.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 14
 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.

➢ In case of knife edge follower, the knife

edge represents the trace point and the
pitch curve corresponds to cam profile.

➢ In a roller follower, the center of the

roller represents the trace point.

Terms used in radial cams.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 15
 Cont…
❑ Pressure angle
➢ 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.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 16
 Cont…
❑ Pitch point
➢ The point on the pitch curve having the
maximum pressure angle.
❑ Pitch circle
➢ It is a circle drawn from the center of
the cam through the pitch points.
❑ Pitch curve
➢ Curve generated by the trace point as
the follower moves relative to the cam
➢ For a knife edge follower
✓ Pitch curve and cam profile are same
➢ For a roller follower,
✓ Pitch curve and the cam profile are separated by the radius of the roller
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 17
 Cont…
❑ Prime circle.
➢ The smallest circle that can be drawn from the center of the cam and tangent
to the pitch curve.
➢ For a knife edge and a flat face follower,
prime circle and base circle are identical.
Radius of prime circle (𝑹𝑶 )= Radius of base circle (𝑹𝒃 )
➢ For a roller follower, the prime circle is
larger than the base circle by the radius
of the roller.
Radius of prime circle (𝑹𝑶 )= Radius of base circle (𝑹𝒃 )
+ Radius of follower (𝑹𝒇 )

❑ Lift or stroke.
➢ It is the maximum travel of the follower from its lowest position to the
topmost position.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 18
 Motion of the Follower

❑ The follower, during its travel, may have one of the following motions.
1. Uniform velocity
2. Modified uniform velocity
2. Simple harmonic motion
3. Uniform acceleration
and retardation,
4. Cycloidal motion.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 19
 Displacement Diagrams
❑ During the rotation of the cam through one cycle of input motion,
❖ The follower executes a series of events which is shown by a graphical
form known as a displacement diagram.
➢The known input denoted by ‘θ’ and the output denoted by ‘Y’
✓ ‘Y’ is a translational distance for a reciprocating follower and is
an angle for oscillatory follower.
➢The x-axis represents one cycle of the input motion ‘θ’
✓ Which is one revolution of the cam and drawn to any convenient
scale.
➢The y-axis represents the follower travel ‘Y’
✓ Usually reciprocating follower, drawn at full scale.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 20
 Displacement diagrams
❑ Rise:
➢It is a portion on graph when the follower is moving away from the cam center.
✓ The maximum rise is called lift.
❑ Dwell:
➢It is a portion on graph when the period of follower is at rest or stationary.
❑ Return:
➢It is a portion on graph when the follower moves back towards the cam center.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 21
 Displacement Diagrams
❑ Types of Cam According to Follower Movement
➢ The cam is classified as per the movement of follower.
➢ The movement of follower is depending upon the cam profile.
➢ All process is done in one rotation (360 degrees) of the cam.
1) Dwell –Rise- Dwell -Return -Dwell Cam [D-R-D-R]
➢ The follower first dwells then rise again dwell then return and again dwell.
2) Dwell –Rise- Return- Dwell Cam [D-R-R-D]
➢ The first dwells then rises then returns and again dwells.
3) Rise –Return- Rise Cam [R-R-R]
➢ The follower movement is done in a way that first rises then returns.
4) Dwell –Rise- Dwell Cam [R-R-D]
➢ The follower first dwells then rise then again dwell.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 22
 Displacement diagrams

❑ The Key steps in cam design,

1) Choosing the suitable forms of motion,
2) Set the exact relationship between the input ‘θ’ and the out put (Y) motion
➢ By representing the displacement diagram with the functional
relationship,
✓ Y = Y(θ),
(This equation is developed with the exact shape of final cam)

3) Construct the displacement diagram precisely.

4) Finally, construct the cam profile.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 23
 Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration Diagrams when
the Follower Moves with Uniform Motion

❑ Displacement diagram for uniform motion,

➢Is straight line with the constant slope.
✓ For constant input, the velocity of the follower also constant.
➢Is not useful because the corner produced at the boundaries with the other
section of the displacement diagram.
✓ So that used between other curve by
eliminating the corners.

❑ Acceleration or retardation of the follower at the

beginning and at the end of each stroke is infinite.
❑ This is due to the follower is required to start from
rest and has to gain a velocity within no time.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 24
 Cont…
❑ Displacement diagram for modified uniform motion
➢The central portion of the diagram is uniform motion
✓ For a cam angle of 𝛃𝟐 and lift 𝐋𝟐 .
➢The end portion of the diagram is parabolic motion
✓ For a cam angle of 𝛃𝟏 and 𝛃𝟑 and also the lift 𝐋𝟏 and 𝐋𝟑 .

𝛃,L

𝛃 L
,
𝟐 𝟐

0,𝟎

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 25
 Cont…
❑ To match the parabolic motion with the uniform motion,
➢1st take one end either 𝐋𝟏 for 𝛃𝟏 or 𝐋𝟑 for 𝛃𝟑 which can form a rectangular boundary.
➢Divided in to a convenient and equal number of divisions for both x and y-axis.
➢Then construct a line which is started from the origin
in to every division of y-axis and also construct a line
which start from every division of x-axis.
➢Finally, mark at the point of intersection for those
line and joined every points.

❑ Displacement diagram for Parabolic Motion

➢ The 1st portion of the diagram is upward parabolic motion
✓ For cam angle 𝛃/2 and lift L/2
➢ The 2nd portion of the diagram is downward parabolic motion
✓ For a cam angle of 𝛃 and lift L.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 26
 Displacement, velocity and acceleration diagrams when
the follower moves with simple harmonic motion

❑ Displacement diagram for simple harmonic motion,

➢Use the a semi-circle having a diameter equal to the rise (L) to construct the graph.
➢The semi-circle and the x- axis are divided in to an equal parts.
➢Construction of graph is by joining the mark which is formed by the intersection of
the line from the x-axis and semi-circle division.

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 27
 Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
❖ Maximum velocity of the follower during
outstroke

❖ Maximum velocity of the follower on

the return stroke

❖ Maximum acceleration of the follower

on the outstroke,

ω = Angular velocity of the cam.

❖ Maximum acceleration of follower on the 𝜽𝑶 = Angular displacement of cam during out stroke
𝜽𝑹 = Angular displacement of cam during return
return stroke, stroke of follower
S = Stroke of the follower,
𝜽𝒐 and 𝜽𝑹 must be in radian
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 28
 Uniform Acceleration and Retardation
Motion
❑ Displacement, velocity and acceleration diagrams when the follower
moves with uniform acceleration and retardation
❖ Maximum velocity of the follower during
outstroke

“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 29
 Graphical layout of cam profile
❑ To determine the exact shape of a cam surface required to deliver a specified
follower motion.
➢By determining the required motion graphically, analytically or numerically
completely.
➢The complete displacement diagram can be drawn to a scale for the entire
cam rotation.
❑ In constructing the cam profile,
❖ Employ the principle of kinematics inversion.
➢Imagining the cam to be stationary.
✓ Allowing the follower to rotate opposite to the direction of cam
rotation.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 30
 Cam profile construction for radial follower

❑ Cam profile construction for radial follower

➢First draw a base circle and prime circle with the given data from the
same centre of point (point of rotation for cam)
➢Second divided both circle in to a number of segments and assign station
number to the boundaries of these segments.

➢Then transfer distance, by means of divider, from the displacement

diagram directly on to the cam layout to locate the corresponding positions
of the trace point and other.
➢Finally, a smooth curve through these point is the pitch curve and cam
profile.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 31
 Cam profile construction for offset follower
❑ Cam profile construction for offset follower
➢First draw an offset circle by using a radius which is equal to the amount of offset
distance from the same centre of point (point of rotation for cam).
➢Second draw a base circle and prime circle with the given data from the same centre
of point (point of rotation for cam)
➢Third divided offset circle in to a number of segments and assign station number to
the boundaries of these segments.

➢Construct a tangent line for every station from offset circle and intersect both base
and prime circle.
➢Then transfer distance, by means of divider, from the displacement diagram directly
on to the cam layout to locate the corresponding positions of trace point and other.
➢Finally, a smooth curve through these point is the pitch curve and cam profile.
“The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” .............Albert Einstein 32