Cam and Follower

ME 4305 –
Mechanics of Machines
Cam and Follower
MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 1

Content
• Introduction

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.

What is a Cam?
A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage, this is primarily used in

transforming rotary motion into linear motion or vice versa. Cams can rotate and slide in
most directions. Cams are often found in engines, pumps, and other mechanical devices and
machinery. Cams can be moved by a variety of means, including gears, levers, cams, and
cranks.

Cam and Follower
A cam works by converting linear motion into rotary motion or rotary motion into linear motion.
There are a number of different shapes and designs of cams, they all consist of cams and a
follower, together they create motion.
Below diagram illustrates the main components in a Cam.

Movement of cam and follower
A CAM has two parts, the FOLLOWER and the CAM PROFILE. Diagrams one to six show a
rotating cam pushing a follower up and then allowing it to slowly fall back down.
KEY PHRASES
ONE CYCLE : One rotation/revolution of the cam.
DWELL : When the cam rotates but the follower does not rise or fall.
THE RISE : That part of the cam that causes the follower to rise.
FALL : That part of the cam that causes the follower to fall.
Different Types Of Cams
Disk or Plate Cam:
A disk or plate cam is one of the most commonly used cams. It is cut out of a piece of flat
metal/plate. A follower moves in a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cam
shaft.

Flat Plate Cam:
A flat plate or linear cam is one that moves in a straight line instead of rotating. The cam element is
often a plate or a block of some sort.

Cylindrical Or Barrel Cam:
Cylindrical or barrel cams are used to convert rotational motion into a linear parallel motion.

Snail Drop Cam:
A snail drop cam is used when the drop of the follower must be sudden

Different Types Of Followers
There are different types of follower but they all slide or roll on the edge of the cam.
Various types are shown below.

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.
Example 1
A cam must produce a lift of 30 mm. This must occupy 60° of rotation. The follower then
dwells at this level for a further 30° and then fall over next 60° . The cam rotates another
210° to complete the cycle. Design a cam profile so that the velocity is constant, when
rising and falling. If the velocity of the follower (lifting) is 15mm/s what must be the speed
of rotation of the cam. Take the minimum radius of the cam as 15mm.

Example 2
Draw the profile of a cam operating a roller reciprocating follower and with the following
data.
Minimum radius of cam = 25 mm, lift = 30 mm, roller diameter= 15 mm.
The cam lifts the follower for 120° with simple harmonic motion, followed by a dwell period
of 30°. Then the follower lowers down during 150° of cam rotation with uniform
acceleration and deceleration followed by a dwell period. If the cam rotates at a
uniform speed of 150 rpm. Calculate the maximum velocity and acceleration of follower
during the descent period.

Example 2
What is called a simple harmonic motion?

Follower moment

Example 2
Displacement – Angle Diagram
30 mm

Example 2
Displacement – Angle Diagram Cam Profile

Base circle diameter
25+7.5= 32.5 mm
Lift= 30 mm

References
1. https://learnmechanical.com/cam-and-follower/

Thank You
MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines

Cam and Follower - MET 261-3 Mechanics of Machines

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ME 4305 –

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 1

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 2

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.

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 3

A cam is a rotating or sliding piece in a mechanical linkage, this is primarily used in

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 4

Below diagram illustrates the main components in a Cam.

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 5

ONE CYCLE : One rotation/revolution of the cam.

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 7

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 8

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 9

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 10

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 11

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 13

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 14

What is called a simple harmonic motion?

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 15

Displacement – Angle Diagram

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 16

Displacement – Angle Diagram Cam Profile

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 17

MET 261-3 – Mechanics of Machines 18

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