Report on Cam and follower

Name: ID:

Mina Harby Fawzy 3751

Ibrahim

Yahia Tarek Kamal 6448

Mostafa

Mohamed Raouf 7031

Mohamed Kamal
Rohoma
 cams

A cam may be defined as a machine element having a curved outline or

a curved groove, which, by its oscillation or rotation motion, gives a
predetermined specified motion to another element called the follower .
The cam has a very important function in the operation of many classes
of machines, especially those of the automatic type, such as printing
presses, shoe machinery, textile machinery, gear-cutting machines, and
screw machines. In any class of machinery in which automatic control
and accurate timing are paramount, the cam is an indispensable part of
mechanism. The possible applications of cams are unlimited, and their
shapes occur in great variety.

mechanical 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.
We can also define a cam as 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.

and we can define a follower as 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.
 The Terminology of a Cam

Cam Profile:
It is the surface area of a cam where follower touches.

Base Circle:
Base circle is the smallest circle that can be drawn tangentially to the
cam profile.

Trace Point:
A trace point is a theoretical point on the follower. It’s motion describing
the movement of the follower. For example, a knife edge follower, the
trace point is at the knife edge.

Pitch Curve:
It is the curve drawn by the trace point assuming that the cam is fixed,
and the trace point of the follower rotates around the cam.

Pressure Angle:
It represents the 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.

Pitch Point:
A pitch point correspond to the point of maximum pressure angle. Its

Pitch Circle:
A circle drawn with its center at the cam center and pass through the
pitch point is known as the pitch circle.

Prime Circle:
The prime circle is the smallest circle that can be drawn from the center
of cam and it is tangential to the pitch curve.

Displacement Diagram

As a cam rotates about the axis, it imparts a specific motion to the

follower which is repeated with each revolution of the cam. It is enough
to know the motion of follower for only one revolution.
The motion of the cam can be represented on a graph the x-axis
represents the can rotation and the y-axis represents the displacement
of the follower. Now we discuss the follower displacement diagram and
its terms:

Angle of Ascent:
It is the angle through which the cam turns during the time the follower
rises.

Angle of Dwell:
Angle of dwell is the angle through which the cam turns while the
follower remains stationary at the highest or the lowest point.

Angle of Descent:
Angle of descent is the angle through which the cam turns while follower
returns to the initial position.

Angle of Action:
This is the total angle moved by the cam during the time between the
beginning of rise and the end of return of the follower.

Classification of Cams:
Cams can be classified into the following three types based on their
shapes. They are:
1. Plate or disk cams: Plate or disk cams are the simplest
and most common type of cam. A plate cam is illustrated
in figure 3 (a). This type of cam is formed on a disk or
plate. The radial distance from the center of the disk is
varied throughout the circumference of the cam. Allowing
a follower to ride on this outer edge gives the follower
a radial motion.
2. Cylindrical or drum cam: A cylindrical or drum cam is
illustrated in figure 3 (b). This type of cam is formed on a
cylinder. A groove is cut into the cylinder, with a varying
location along the axis of rotation. Attaching a follower
that rides in the groove gives the follower motion along
the axis of rotation.
3. Linear cam (Translating Cam): A linear cam is
illustrated in figure 3 (c). This type of cam is formed on a
translated block. A groove is cut into the block with a
distance that varies from the plane of translation.
Attaching a follower that rides in the groove gives the
follower motion perpendicular to the plane of translation.
There are also many different types of Followers, and they can
be classified according to 3 different criteria:
1. According to the shape of the follower
2. Follower movement
3. Manner of constraint of the follower

1.According to the shape of the follower:

1. Knife edge follower:
As per its name knife edge follower has sharp knife edge which
meets the cam. The motion takes place between the cam and the
sharp knife edge. In this follower a considerable side thrust exists
between the guide and the followers. It is simple in construction, but
the use of this follower is very limited because high wear and tear
takes place at the point of contact.

2. Roller follower:
In roller follower the contact surface of cam and follower is in the
shape of rollers and the rolling motion is takes place between the
contacting surfaces so chances of wear are very less of we can say
that negligible. Due to less wear this follower is widely used and the
cylindrical roller is free to rotate about the pin joint. This follower
 has pure rolling motion at low speed but at higher speed skidding
also occurs in it. In roller follower also the side thrust exists
between the guide and the follower same as the knife edge
follower. These types of followers are used where space is not any
problem like in aircraft engines and in some oil and gas engines
etc.

3. spherical faced followers:

In these followers the contacting surface is spherical in shape.
These are used to minimize the stress induced which is generally
seen in case of flat face followers. In case of flat face followers high
surface stresses are generated at high speed. So, to minimize the
all these stresses the flat face of the follower is changed into the
spherical shape, due to this changed shape the very less stresses
will induced in the follower and it can be used in high speed
engines.

4. Mushroom or flat face followers:

As name suggest the contacting surface is as a shape of
Mushroom (circular in shape) or flat. There is very less side thrust
seen in this case as compared to the roller and knife edge follower
which make it stable even at high speed and it does not cause any
problem of jamming of cam. It this follower high surface stresses
are induced due to the misalignment and deflection; this is the
major drawback of this follower. These induced stresses are the
reason of high wear. This follower is used in the valve opening
mechanism of automobile engine where space available is limited.
2.According to the motion of the follower:
There are two types of followers according to the motion:
1. Reciprocating or translating followers:
In this type of motion of the follower is reciprocating or
translating in the guides whereas cam rotates uniformly.

2. Oscillating or rotating followers:

In this case the follower oscillates when the cam rotates. The
follower is pivoted at a fix position where oscillating or rotating
motion in the follower takes place.
According to the path of movement of follower:

According to the movement followers, there are two types:

1. Radial follower:
When the line of action of the motion of the follower is passes
through the center of rotation of the cam then it is known as the
radial follower.
2. Off-set followers:
when the line of action of motion of the follower is offset/ away from
the center of rotation of the cam then it is known as off-set
followers.

Uses of Cams:
- Cams are used to convert the rotation of a shaft into simple or complex
reciprocating linear motion.
- Camshafts are used in internal combustion engine to operate the intake
and exhaust valves .
Cams are essential elements in automatic machine tools, textile
machinery, sewing machines, printing machines, and many others. If the
follower is not restrained by a groove on the cam, a spring is necessary
to keep the follower in contact with the cam.
Kinematic and Force analysis of Cams:

Kinematic analysis involves the calculations of displacement, velocity

and acceleration of the follower at different instant. Empirical relations
from the literature are used for displacement. By differentiation we can
get velocity and acceleration.

Equations for various governing motions of follower [2]:-

1. Cycloidal Motion
Y= h[( /) - (1/ 2 )  sin(2 / )]
2. Simple Harmonic Motion:-
Y=(h/2)  [1-cos( /)]
3. Constant Velocity:-
Y=h /
4. Constant Acceleration and Retardation: -
Y=2h( /)2 , For  (/2)
Y=h[1-2{1-( /)2}] , For   (/2)
Where,
h = Lift of the follower,
 = Angular displacement of cam,
= Angle of rise,
y = vertical displacement of follower.

Kinematic analysis of mechanism helps in determining the cam torque

or torque delivered to the rotating cam. Using instantaneous centre of
rotation of link 2 and link 4 we get torque delivered to the cam.

Vp= y= O2P 2
O2P=(y/2)
T2=F32y  O2P
F32y=P+Fs+(-my)

Where,
y • = Velocity of follower,
y •• = Acceleration of the follower
2 = Angular Velocity of Cam,
T2 = Torque delivered to the cam,
F32 = Reaction of link 3 on link2,
m = Mass of follower,
Fs = Spring force,
P = Force due to load.

For finding F32, dynamic analysis is done. Using the equations of

displacement, values of all kinematic parameters are calculated with the
help of computer program.
The resultant force acting on the follower, link 4 consists of the following
forces:-
• Reaction due to link3 on link4, F34,
• Reactions at support due to link1 on link4, (F14)B and (F14)D
• Inertia force due to mass of follower, (-m y •• ),
• Spring force, Fs,
• Force due to load, P.

Dynamic analysis of follower gives resultant force acting on it in vertical

direction which is directly related to the motion of follower. The negative
sign of the resultant force ensures that the net downward force on the
follower maintains its contact with the cam, through an idler roller. This
remains so until it reaches a critical speed. Beyond the critical speed, the
resultant force becomes positive and act in upward direction, which
results in lifting of the follower, leaving its contact with the cam. Such
situation is called jump of follower and the design fails to give desired
performance.

References:
• https://www.mech4study.com/2018/08/types-of-cams-and-
followers.html
• Computer Aided Kinematic and Dynamic Analysis of Cam and
Follower Prof. H.D.Desai Prof. V.K.Patel
• https://www.mechanicalfunda.com/?m=1