The document discusses cam and follower mechanisms. It defines cams and followers as rotating or oscillating elements that work together to convert between rotary and linear motion. Cams have various shapes defined by their profiles to control the motion imparted to followers. Common applications include internal combustion engines and automated machinery. The document provides details on the working principle, types of cams and followers, applications, and importance of cam and follower mechanisms in mechanical engineering.
The document discusses cam and follower mechanisms. It defines cams and followers as rotating or oscillating elements that work together to convert between rotary and linear motion. Cams have various shapes defined by their profiles to control the motion imparted to followers. Common applications include internal combustion engines and automated machinery. The document provides details on the working principle, types of cams and followers, applications, and importance of cam and follower mechanisms in mechanical engineering.
The document discusses cam and follower mechanisms. It defines cams and followers as rotating or oscillating elements that work together to convert between rotary and linear motion. Cams have various shapes defined by their profiles to control the motion imparted to followers. Common applications include internal combustion engines and automated machinery. The document provides details on the working principle, types of cams and followers, applications, and importance of cam and follower mechanisms in mechanical engineering.
The document discusses cam and follower mechanisms. It defines cams and followers as rotating or oscillating elements that work together to convert between rotary and linear motion. Cams have various shapes defined by their profiles to control the motion imparted to followers. Common applications include internal combustion engines and automated machinery. The document provides details on the working principle, types of cams and followers, applications, and importance of cam and follower mechanisms in mechanical engineering.
Cam and Follower: Definition, Types, Working Principle,
and Applications
In mechanical engineering, engineers often use a higher pair
links mechanism that is renowned as Cam and Follower Mechanism. This pair of higher links are used to move links spontaneously or periodically.
Although, cam and follower mechanisms are also used by
engineers for ensuring zero or minimum degree of error. The device that is known as Cam in the 3rd century was devised by Hellenistic water-driven automata.
Alongside, that device was found in the 4th century in Al-jazari
design. The Cam and Follower Mechanism is mostly used in the IC engines for driving the valves. Apart from that, the mechanism is often used by engineers as a part of the I.C.Es timing system.
Moreover, in the automotive industry Cam-Follower
mechanism is used to drive fuel pumps. Furthermore, when multiple cams are incorporated within a single shaft it is called a camshaft.
The mechanism is developed by incorporating three members
they are, a driver member named Cam, a frame that supports cam and follower, the follower is guided by the frame and lastly, the driven member named as a follower. What is Cam? A cam is a rotating element that gives oscillating or reciprocating motion to the follower which is another element of this machine by direct contact.
This part is mainly used to transform the motion from rotary
into linear to another part. It is a part of a machine which can be a rotating wheel (an electric wheel) or a shaft that strikes a lever’s various points at its circular path.
In a steam hammer, an engineer can use a cam as a simple
tooth to deliver pulses of the power to a Steam Hammer.
Types of Cam: There are various types of cams available, that are listed below:
The disk (or plate) cam has not regular contour to transmit a specific motion to the follower.
Cylindrical Cam: The cylindrical cam has a groove in a cylindrical surface and the follower runs on the cylindrical surface parallel to the axis of the cylinder. Translating Cam: Translating cam has a grooved or contoured plate and its follower oscillate in the face of the plate. The groove or the contour has specified the motion of the follower. Wedge Cam: The wedge cam has an angled flat regular contour to impart a specific motion of the follower.
Spiral Cam: The spiral cam has a half-circular or a spiral shaping grooved contour, the cam moves in reciprocating motion and the follower moves vertically to the axis of the cam. Heart-shaped Cam: This type of cam looks like an asymmetric heart. It is mainly used to return a shaft to hold the cam to a set position by its pressure from a roller. What is a Follower? A follower is a rotating or an oscillating element of a machine that follows the motion of cam by direct contact.
If a cam moves in reciprocating motion the follower moves in
vertically respect to the axis of the cam.
This part of the machine is mainly following the cam which
can be reciprocating or oscillating in motion. It converts the rotary motion of cam into reciprocating or oscillating motion.
Types of Follower: There were various types of follower which are bellowed:
Knife-edge Follower: This type of follower has a sharp area of contact with the cam. This is the simplest among all of the followers and these kinds of followers are not in use in the case of fast application, because of its sharp edge. Roller Follower: This type of follower is mainly used in high-speed operation because it has a smooth contact with the surface. This type of follower has less wear and tear as compared to the other followers. Flat-faced Follower: This type of follower looks like a flat surface with an irregular cam. This type of cam is used when the space is limited and this follower can resist more side thrust. This follower can also be used in a precision application. Spherical Follower: This type of follower has a curved but regular follower as well as cam. This is a modification of a flat-faced follower. Radial Follower: In this type of follower, the line of movement passes through the center of the camshaft. Mainly the movement of the follower is in line. The follower is in a reciprocating motion.
Offset Follower: In this type of follower, the movement of the axis of the follower is not colinear with the cam axis.
Working Principle of Cam and Follower:
The working principle of Cam and Follower depends on the mechanism of the combination of both Cam and Follower.
Cam Mechanism: Cam is a mechanical component which is a rotating circle or eclipse about the minor axis of the Follower. Hence it can be explained easily that Cam is a mechanical component that transmits reciprocating, oscillating or linear motion to Follower.
Cam’s shape is usually an oval or an imperfect circle or an
eclipse. If an engineer considers an oval-shaped Cam then he or she can see the movements which will form the outer burge, which is periodic to its locus.
This outer burge is very useful and effective for works which are periodic mechanical. There are two types of Head Cams. First is Single Head Cam and the second is Multiple Head Cam.
Cam is Rotating about minor axis or respect to Follower.
Follower Mechanism: A follower is a mechanical component concerning which, the Cam rotates in an oscillatory or circular motion. Follower inhibits the push and pulls of the Cam. A follower is used to transfer the motion to the required machine part.
The Follower rotates in an oscillating or circular arc.
The mechanism for Cam and the mechanism for Follower
depend upon each other so that the main mechanism of Cam and Follower.
The mechanism of Cam and Follower is essential in the
engineering field and has many different functions to the different machines. The Terminology of a Cam: Cam Profile: It is the surface area of a cam where follower touches.
Base Circle: It is the smallest circle of a cam profile drawn from the center of rotation of the cam.
Trace Point: By this point, we can trace the cam profile.
Pitch Curve: This curve is generated if we assume the cam is fixed and the tracepoint of the follower moves around the cam.
Pressure Angle: It is formed between normal to the pitch curve and line of motion of the follower.
Pitch Point: At this point the pressure angle is maximum.
Pitch Circle: It is the circle which passes through the pitch point.
Prime Circle: This is a circle that drawn tangentially to the pitch curve and concentric to the base circle. Applications of Cam and Follower: There are so many different applications of Cam and Follower mechanism. Those are:
• Internal Combustion Engine to close and open the outlet
valve and intake valve. • Automated Types of machinery, Cam and Follower are used in different parts which are automated in motion. • In Hydraulic Systems, the main mechanism is Cam and Follower mechanism. • In that case, the mechanism is dependent on the fluid pressure. • In Printing Machinery, the mechanism of Cam and Follower helps the screen to be printed. The push helps to take the position where the printing will be done and the pull helps to print on that. • In Textile Types of machinery, the mechanism of Cam and Follower helps to stitch clothes by a push and pull to move the Maku. • Screw pieces of machinery. • Gear-Cutting Machineries. • Wall-Clock. • Automatic Lathe Machine.
Importance of Cam and Follower:
In the field of mechanical engineering, the Cam-follower mechanism plays a significant role in achieving even distribution of forces in a single machine component.
By attaching a cylindrical roller in a machine component
spontaneous movement can be achieved by an engineer.
Cam follower can be used in a machine component
regardless of the shape and size of the nut. Apart from that, varieties of linear motions can be found by utilizing the mechanism.
Moreover, due to higher thickness as compared to other
bearings Cam follower mechanism can absorb a higher amount of shock that increases the mechanical efficiency of a machine component.
Furthermore, the mechanism is entirely versatile that it can be
used in a soda machine or also in an aircraft application. Besides, the mechanism is also used in the conveyor belt. In the case of engines, bearing the load of a camshaft can easily be devised by utilizing the fundamental approach of a crankshaft bearing.
Although, flat followers are used by engineers to operate the
valves of an engine whereas roller followers are used by engineers in oil and stationary engines.
This type of preference occurred due to more availability of
space of roller followers.
A Simple Cam, Follower Mechanism:
https://youtu.be/wPMtPl7HG68
Conclusion: Cam follower mechanism plays a significant role as it utilized to drive a minute machine component seamlessly. Central locks and ordinary lock systems are also developed by incorporating the mechanism of cam and follower.
Various terminologies are integrated with the mechanism that
has to be understood by the user of the mechanism. Some of the terminologies are tracepoint, pitch curve, pressure angle and so on.
Cam and follower mechanisms are not a small part of
mechanical engineering. Therefore, precision and patience are required to implement the mechanism in practice.
At first, the user should aware of the links and pairs before understanding the conception of cam and follower. Cam is a higher pair device thus, the user should grant the degree of freedom to apply the same in a machine component. Lastly, it can be recommended that the pressure angle should not be increased by the user to restrict the potential impact of side thrust.
Turning and Boring
A specialized treatise for machinists, students in the industrial and engineering schools, and apprentices, on turning and boring methods, etc.
Turning and Boring
A specialized treatise for machinists, students in the industrial and engineering schools, and apprentices, on turning and boring methods, etc.
