Theory of Machines (TOM) : Lecture-02 Cams

Theory of Machines
THEORY OF MACHINES (TOM) MEEG 206
(TOM)
Lecture-02
Cams
CAM mechanism
• A cam is a rotating machine element which gives reciprocating
or oscillating motion to another element known as follower.
• There are only three links: Cam (driver), Follower (driven),

Frame.
Why Cam Mechanisms?
 Linkages are an essential part of many
mechanisms. They can be used to change direction,
alter speed and change the timing of moving parts.
 Linkage mechanisms are not suitable for

transmitting complicated motion, especially when
the driven link should dwell.
Cam Application
A familiar application of
a cam mechanism is in
the opening and closing
of valves in an
automotive engine. The
cam rotates with the cam
shaft, usually at constant
angular velocity, while
the follower moves up
and down as controlled
by the cam surface.
Characteristics of Cam Mechanisms
Advantages:
 The simplest mechanisms to transfer a simple
motion into any desired complicated motion.

 Very easy to design the cam contour even if the
motion of the follower is very complicated.
Disadvantages:
 The cost for cutting cam accurately is high.
 Can not transmit heavy loads.
Applications: It is usually used for control

mechanisms or light-load mechanisms.
Types of Cam Mechanisms
Plate Cam (Disc Cam)
• The most popular type of Cam.
• formed on a disk or plate.

• radial distance from the center of the disk is varied
throughout the circumference of the cam.
Translating Cam or linear Cam
• Formed on a translated block.
• A groove is cut into the block with a distance that

varies from the plane of translation.
• Follower rides in the groove and gives the follower
motion perpendicular to the plane of translation.
Three-Dimensional Cam or cylindrical Cam
• A groove is cut into the cylinder, with a varying
location along the axis of rotation.

• Follower rides in the groove and gives the
follower motion along the axis of rotation.
Types of follower
1) On the basis of surface in contact
• Knife-Edge follower
Although it is simple, the stresses at the line of

contact are excessive.
• Roller follower
The roller follower greatly reduces wear because the
contact is almost entirely rolling rather than sliding.
• Flat-Faced follower
Simpler and less expensive than the roller follower.
Is used often in high speed cam mechanisms.
Types of follower
2) By the motion type of the
follower
• Translating Follower
o If the centerline of the follower
passes through the center of the
camshaft, it is called the in-line
translating follower;
o otherwise, the offset translating

follower.
• Oscillating Follower
Oscillating follower works more smoothly
than the translating follower.
Types of follower
3) By the manner of keeping the
cam and the follower in contact
If a follower is to reproduce exactly the motion

transmitted by a cam, then it must remain in contact
with the cam at all speeds at all times.
• Forced-closed cam mechanism

The contact is obtained by a preloaded spring, or by
gravity.
• Form-closed cam mechanism

If the contact is obtained by letting the roller follower
sit in a cam groove or by using a conjugate condition
CAM Nomenclature
Angle of Ascent, Dwell, Descent and Action
Pressure angle
• It is the measure of
steepness of the cam
profile.
• The angle between the
direction of the follower
movement and the normal
to the pitch curve at any
point is called pressure
angle.
Pressure angle
•Pressure angle varies from maximum to minimum

during complete rotation.
•Higher the pressure angle higher is side thrust and

higher the chances of jamming the translating
follower in its guide ways.
•The pressure angle should be as small as possible

within the limits of design
Cam design
• Designing a Cam means to determine the profile of
the CAM that follows the displacement path
required.
• For low speed CAM applications, the cam is

designed to merely yield the given displacements at
the specified instant.
• For High speed applications, dynamic

characteristics of the follower during the rise and
fall sequences must be specified in considerable
detail in order to minimize the forces and vibrations.
Motion of the follower
• Uniform velocity
• Uniform acceleration and retardation
• Simple harmonic motion
• Cycloidal motion.
Uniform velocity
Uniform velocity
• Theoretically, the instantaneous jump from any
constant value of velocity to another constant value
of velocity results in an infinite acceleration.

• The follower will always have mass, this
theoretically results in an infinite force.
• Any shock is serious and must be kept to a
minimum.
• This motion in its pure form is impractical except
for low-speed applications.
Uniform acceleration and retardation
Uniform acceleration and retardation
• Constant acceleration motion during a rise or fall
sequence produces the smallest possible values of
acceleration for a given rise and time interval

• Has an abrupt change of acceleration at the end of
the motion and at the transition point between the
acceleration and deceleration halves.
• Abrupt changes bring vibration and noise.
• Applicable for low speed application
Maximum velocity and acceleration
Maximumvelocity of follower on outstroke
Maximum velocity of follower on return stroke
Maximum acceleration of follower on outstroke

Where,
S = stroke of the follower
and = angular displacement of cam during outstroke and return stroke
respectively, in radians
= angular velocity of cam in rad/s
Simple Harmonic motion
Simple Harmonic motion
• It is the projection motion of a point on a rotating
disk projected to a straight line.
• It has a smooth, continuous acceleration.
• A sudden change of acceleration at the ends of the

motion can be objectionable at higher speeds.


Cycloidal motion
Cycloidal motion
• Very smooth motion curves and does not have the
sudden change at the end of the motion.
• Suitable for high speed applications.
• Low vibration, wear and noise.



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Theory of Machines

THEORY OF MACHINES (TOM) MEEG 206

• There are only three links: Cam (driver), Follower (driven),

alter speed and change the timing of moving parts.

 Linkage mechanisms are not suitable for

motion into any desired complicated motion.

Applications: It is usually used for control

• formed on a disk or plate.

• A groove is cut into the block with a distance that

location along the axis of rotation.

Although it is simple, the stresses at the line of

o otherwise, the offset translating

If a follower is to reproduce exactly the motion

• Forced-closed cam mechanism

• Form-closed cam mechanism

•Pressure angle varies from maximum to minimum

during complete rotation.

•Higher the pressure angle higher is side thrust and

•The pressure angle should be as small as possible

• For low speed CAM applications, the cam is

• For High speed applications, dynamic

• Uniform acceleration and retardation

• Simple harmonic motion

of velocity results in an infinite acceleration.

acceleration for a given rise and time interval

Maximum acceleration of follower on outstroke

• It has a smooth, continuous acceleration.

• A sudden change of acceleration at the ends of the

Maximumvelocity of follower on outstroke

Maximum velocity of follower on return stroke

• Suitable for high speed applications.

• Low vibration, wear and noise.

Maximumvelocity of follower on outstroke

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