2.

Classification of followers:
 Followers can be classified based on
• type of surface contact between cam and follower
• type of follower motion
• line of motion of followers
2.1Classification based on type of surface contact between cam
and follower
Figure shows the schematics of various types of followers used cam
mechanisms.
2.1.1 Knife edge follower
 The contacting end of the follower has a sharp knife edge. A sliding
motion exists between the contacting cam and follower surfaces. It is
rarely used in practice because the small area of contacting surface
results in excessive wear.
2.1.2 Roller follower
 It consists of a cylindrical roller which rolls on cam surface. Because of
the rolling motion between the contacting surfaces, the rate of wear is
reduced in comparison with Knife edge follower. The roller followers
are extensively used where more space is available such as gas and oil
engines.
2.1.3 Flat face follower
 The follower face is perfectly flat. It experiences a side thrust due to
the friction between contact surfaces of follower and cam.
2.1.4 Spherical face follower
 The contacting end of the follower is of spherical shape which
overcomes the drawback of side thrust as experiences by flat face
follower.
2.2 Classification based on followers’ motion
 Figure shows the types of cams based followers’ motion.
 2.2.1 Oscillating follower
 In this configuration, the rotary motion of the cam is converted
into predetermined oscillatory motion of the follower as shown
in Figure a).
 2.2.2 Translating follower
 These are also called as reciprocating follower. The follower
reciprocates in the ‘guide’ as the cam rotates uniformly as
shown in Figure b).
2.3 Classification based on line of motion
 Figure shows the types of cams based followers’ line of motion.

2.3.1 Radial follower

The line of movement of the
follower passes through the
center of the camshaft
(Figure a).
2.3.2 Offset follower
The line of movement of the follower is offset from the center
of the cam shaft (Figure b).
Force closed cam follower system
 In this type of cam-follower system, an external force is needed
to maintain the contact between cam and follower. Generally a
spring maintains the contact between the two elements. The
follower can be a oscillating type (Figure a) or of translational
type (Figure b).
Form closed cam follower system
 In this system a slot or a groove profile is cut in the cam. The
roller fits in the slot and follows the groove profile. These kind of
systems do not require a spring. These are extensively used in
machine tools and machinery. The follower can be a translating
type (Figure a) oscillating type (Figure b).
Applications of cams
 Cams are widely used in automation of machinery, gear cutting
machines, screw machines, printing press, textile industries,
automobile engine valves, tool changers of machine centers,
conveyors, pallet changers, sliding fork in wear houses etc.
 Cams are also used in I.C engines to operate the inlet valves and
exhaust valves. The cam shaft rotates by using prime movers. It
causes the rotation of cam. This rotation produces translatory
motion of tappet against the spring. This translatory motion is
used to open or close the valve. The schematic of this operation is
shown in Figure .
 Cams in automatic lathes
 The cam shaft is driven by a motor. The cutting tool mounted on
the transverse slide travels to desired depth and at desired feed
rate by a set of plate cams mounted on the cam shaft. The bar
feeding through headstock at desired feed rate is carried out by a
set of plate cams mounted on the camshaft.

Automatic copying machine

The cam profile can be transferred
onto the work piece by using a roller
follower as shown in Figure.
The follower can be mounted with
a cutting tool. As the cam traverses,
the roller follows the cam profile.
The required feature can be copied
onto the work piece by the movement
of follower over the cam profile.
ELECTRONIC CAM FUNCTION
A cam mechanisms is used in situations where a given operation should
be performed in conjunction with another operation in a production
facility.

If a cam mechanism is used, however, the cam itself must be redesigned from
scratch when the stroke or pattern is to be changed, which makes the
adjustment process time-consuming and cumbersome. An electronic cam
function solves this problem.
To change the vertical travel (A) or operation pattern, the cam
(B) must be given additional machining or redesigned.

Example of Cam Mechanism

B A
What is Electronic Cam?
 An electronic cam controls the slave axis in synchronization with the
master axis, using pulse trains, according to a pre-defined electronic
cam table.
Features of Electronic Cam
Shortersystemcycletime
Since the position relationships of operating axes can be specified in a cam table, the stopping
time of each axis can be minimized and consequently the cycle time can be reduced
significantly.
Easyadjustmentwhenchanging theoperationpattern
Unlike with a mechanical cam, no parts must be machined when changing the operation
pattern. All you need is to change the data of the electronic cam table, and you will be able to
change the positions and timings.
Since the position relationships of the master axis do not change due to speed, timings can be
adjusted at a sufficiently low speed,which makes adjustments very easy.
Upto16axescanbecontrolled
Eight slave axes can be operated with one pulse-train board installed in the XSEL controller. Up
to two pulse-train boards can be installed, which means that up to 16 axes can be controlled.
Electronic camtable data Electronic camtable
Electronic Cam
 The electronic camtable is a data table used for specifying the positions of
slave axes that movein conjunction with the movements of the master axis.
The horizontal axis represents the phase of the master axis,while the vertical
axis represents the displacement of the slaveaxis.

 When values areentered in the electronic camtable, points appear on the

graph area of the electronic camtable and a curvedline linking all these points
gives an operating curveof the slave axis.
Example of Use of Electronic Cam

By designating a single-axis robot as

the master axis and moving a cutting
knife up and down in conjunction
with the movements of this single-
axis robot, the work part can be cut
without stopping the work part.
Dividing heads and rotary tables

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Rotary tables
Rotary tables come in two
formats:

• Angular
• Indexable

They are both similar in

design but there are specific
design aspects to each that
need understanding.

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Angular

This design of a rotary table

has the capability to read
angles or parts of angles on an
index.

Basically you can read off the

angle on a scale, the scale can
also have a vernier element for
parts of a degree.

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Indexable

This design of a rotary table

uses an indexing plate rather
than a dial with angles on it.

You need to make the

calculation of how many turns
and parts of a turn are made
for the number of flats or
positions you need.

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Dividing Head
One of the more important attachments for milling
machine.
• Used to divide circumference of workpiece into equally
spaced divisions when milling gear teeth, squares,
hexagons, and octagons.
• They can be right or left handed depending on which end
you have it assembled.
• Also used to rotate workpiece at predetermined ratio to
table feed rate.

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Dividing Head

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Dividing Head Parts Section view of
a dividing head

DRIVE GEAR

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Dividing Head Parts

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Dividing Head terms
• Swivel block
– Mounted in base enables headstock to be tilted from 5º below
horizontal to 10º beyond vertical

• Spindle
– Mounted in swiveling block with 40-tooth worm wheel, meshes with
worm

• Worm
– Right angle to spindle, connected to index crank

• Direct indexing plate

– Engaged by pin and attached to front of spindle

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Head stock

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Foot or tail stock

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Centre rest

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