Cam-Follower Design

Mechanics of Machine
Lecture 05
ME 4503
For this topic, we will be following
Chapter 20 from Khurmi book
Cam Definition
A cam is a machine element used to drive another element, called a
follower, through a specified motion by direct contact.
It is usually a rotating machine element that gives reciprocating or oscillating
motion to the follower. The cam and the follower have a line contact and
constitute a higher pair.

• They are simple and inexpensive, have few moving parts, and occupy very little
space. Any desired motion program can be exactly reproduced by a cam.
• The cams are usually rotated at uniform speed by a shaft, but the follower
motion is pre-determined and will be according to the shape of the cam.
• The cams are widely used for operating the inlet and exhaust valves of internal
combustion engines, automatic attachment of machineries, paper cutting
machines, spinning and weaving textile machineries, feed mechanism of
automatic lathes etc.
Cam follower
A general cam-follower system consists of three
elements.
1. Cam (input)
2. Follower (output) Some means of ensuring
that the follower remains in contact with the
cam.
Classification of Followers
1. According to the surface in contact
a. Knife edge follower
b. Roller follower
c. Flat faced follower
d. Spherical faced follower (we will not be designing this)

2. According to the motion of the follower

a. Reciprocating follower
b. Oscillating or rotating follower
 Classification of Followers
3. According to the path of motion of the follower
a. Radial follower
b. Off-set follower

4. According to the type of motion (displacement function) by the follower

a. Uniform velocity
b. Simple harmonic motion
c. Uniform acceleration and retardation (Parabolic motion)
d. Cycloidal motion
Types of CAM and Follower
 Displacement Diagram for Cam

During the rotation of a cam through one cycle, the follower executes a series of events as
demonstrated in graphic form in the displacement diagram. A general displacement
diagram will be made up of three or more parts:

1. Rise/Outstroke (where the displacement of the follower is away from the cam center)
2. Return Stroke (in which the displacement of the follower is toward the cam center)
3. Dwell (portions of the cycle during which the follower is at rest)
Uniform Motion
Parabolic Motion
Parabolic Motion

Figure 10.14 Displacement, velocity, acceleration, and jerk relations for parabolic motion during return
Harmonic Motion
Cycloidal Motion
Knife Edge follower with Uniform Velocity
Example 20.1
A cam is to give the following motion to a knife-edged follower :
1. Outstroke during 60° of cam rotation
2. Dwell for the next 30° of cam rotation
3. Return stroke during next 60° of cam rotation
4. Dwell for the remaining 210° of cam rotation.
The stroke of the follower is 40 mm and the minimum radius of the cam is 50 mm. The
follower moves with uniform velocity during both the outstroke and return strokes.
Draw the profile of the cam when
(a) the axis of the follower passes through the axis of the cam shaft
(b) the axis of the follower is offset by 20 mm from the axis of the cam shaft.
Draw the displacement profile
First of all, the displacement diagram, as shown in Fig. 20.10, is drawn as discussed in the
following steps :
1. Draw a horizontal line AX = 360° to some suitable scale. On this line, mark AS = 60° to
represent outstroke of the follower, ST = 30° to represent dwell, TP = 60° to represent
return stroke and PX = 210° to represent dwell.
2. Draw vertical line AY equal to the stroke of the follower (i.e. 40 mm) and complete the
rectangle as shown in Fig. 20.10.
3. Divide the angular displacement during outstroke and return stroke into any equal
number of even parts (say six) and draw vertical lines through each point.
4. Since the follower moves with uniform velocity during outstroke and return stroke,
therefore the displacement diagram consists of straight lines. Join AG and HP.
5. The complete displacement diagram is shown by AGHPX in Fig. 20.10.
(a) Profile of the cam when the axis of follower passes through the axis of cam shaft
The profile of the cam when the axis of the follower passes through the axis of the cam shaft as shown is
drawn as discussed in the following steps :
1. Draw a base circle with radius equal to the minimum radius of the cam (i.e. 50 mm) with O as centre.
2. Since the axis of the follower passes through the axis of the cam shaft, therefore mark trace point A, as
shown in the figure.
3. From OA, mark angle AOS = 60° to represent outstroke, angle SOT = 30° to represent dwell and angle
TOP = 60° to represent return stroke.
4. Divide the angular displacements during outstroke and return stroke (i.e. angle AOS and angle TOP)
into the same number of equal even parts as in displacement diagram.
5. Join the points 1, 2, 3 ...etc. and 0′ ,1′ , 2′ , 3′ , ... etc. with center O and produce beyond the base circle
as shown.
6. Now set off 1B, 2C, 3D ... etc. and 0′ H,1′ J ... etc. from the displacement diagram.
7. Join the points A, B, C,... M, N, P with a smooth curve. The curve AGHPA is the complete profile of the
cam.
(b) Profile of the cam when when the axis of the follower is offset by 20 mm from the axis of the camshaft
The profile of the cam when the axis of the follower is offset from the axis of the cam shaft as shown in
the figure is drawn as discussed in the following steps :
1. Draw a base circle with radius equal to the minimum radius of the cam (i.e. 50 mm) with O as center.
2. Draw the axis of the follower at a distance of 20 mm from the axis of the cam, which intersects the
base circle at A.
3. Join AO and draw an offset circle of radius 20 mm with centre O.
4. From OA, mark angle AOS = 60° to represent outstroke, angle SOT = 30° to represent dwell and angle
TOP = 60° to represent return stroke.
5. Divide the angular displacement during outstroke and return stroke (i.e. angle AOS and angle TOP) into
the same number of equal even parts as in displacement diagram.
6. Now from the points 1, 2, 3 ... etc. and 0 ,1 , 2 , 3′ ′ ′ ′ ... etc. on the base circle, draw tangents to the
offset circle and produce these tangents beyond the base circle as shown.
7. Now set off 1B, 2C, 3D ... etc. and 0′ H,1′ J ... etc. from the displacement diagram.
8. Join the points A, B, C ...M, N, P with a smooth curve. The curve AGHPA is the complete profile of the
cam.
Knife Edge follower with Simple Harmonic
Motion
Example 20.2.
A cam is to be designed for a knife edge follower with the following data :
1. Cam lift = 40 mm during 90° of cam rotation with simple harmonic motion.
2. Dwell for the next 30°.
3. During the next 60° of cam rotation, the follower returns to its original position with
simple harmonic motion.
4. Dwell during the remaining 180°.
The radius of the base circle of the cam is 40 mm.
Draw the profile of the cam when
(a) the line of stroke of the follower passes through the axis of the cam shaft
(b) the line of stroke is offset 20 mm from the axis of the cam shaft.
Determine the maximum velocity and acceleration of the follower during its ascent and
descent, if the cam rotates at 240 r.p.m.
First of all, the displacement diagram, as shown in Fig 20.13, is drawn as discussed in the following steps :
1. Draw horizontal line AX = 360° to some suitable scale. On this line, mark AS = 90° to represent out stroke ;
SR = 30° to represent dwell ; RP = 60° to represent return stroke and PX = 180° to represent dwell.
2. Draw vertical line AY = 40 mm to represent the cam lift or stroke of the follower and complete the
rectangle as shown in Fig. 20.13.
3. Divide the angular displacement during out stroke and return stroke into any equal number of even parts
(say six) and draw vertical lines through each point.
4. Since the follower moves with simple harmonic motion, therefore draw a semicircle with AY as diameter
and divide into six equal parts.
5. From points a, b, c ... etc. draw horizontal lines intersecting the vertical lines drawn through 1, 2, 3 ... etc.
and 0′ ,1′ , 2′ ...etc. at B, C, D ... M, N, P.
6. Join the points A, B, C ... etc. with a smooth curve as shown in Fig. 20.13. This is the required displacement
diagram.
For Simple Harmonic Motion

;θ in Radian, and S in Stroke Length

Homework (1/3 Assignment)

Draw the Cam profile for:

Example 20.1 (b)

Example 20.2 (a) and determine the maximum velocity and acceleration for it.
Roller follower with Simple Harmonic Motion
Example 20.3.
A cam, with a minimum radius of 25 mm, rotating clockwise at a uniform speed
is to be designed to give a roller follower, at the end of a valve rod, motion described
below :
1. To raise the valve through 50 mm during 120° rotation of the cam ;
2. To keep the valve fully raised through next 30°;
3. To lower the valve during next 60°; and
4. To keep the valve closed during rest of the revolution i.e. 150° ;
The diameter of the roller is 20 mm and the diameter of the cam shaft is 25 mm.
Draw the profile of the cam when,
(a) the line of stroke of the valve rod passes through the axis of the cam shaft, and
(b) the line of the stroke is offset 15 mm from the axis of the cam shaft.
The displacement of the valve, while being raised and lowered, is to take place with
simple harmonic motion. Determine the maximum acceleration of the valve rod when
the cam shaft rotates at 100 r.p.m.
The profile of the cam, as shown in Fig. 20.17, is drawn as discussed in the following steps :
1. Draw a base circle with centre O and radius equal to the minimum radius of the cam ( i.e. 25 mm ).
2. Draw a prime circle with centre O and radius,

3. Draw angle AOS = 120° to represent raising or out stroke of the valve, angle SOT = 30° to represent dwell
and angle TOP = 60° to represent lowering or return stroke of the valve.
4. Divide the angular displacements of the cam during raising and lowering of the valve (i.e. angle AOS and
TOP ) into the same number of equal even parts as in displacement diagram.
5. Join the points 1, 2, 3, etc. with the centre O and produce the lines beyond prime circle as shown in Fig.
20.17.
6. Set off 1B, 2C, 3D etc. equal to the displacements from displacement diagram.
7. Join the points A, B, C ... N, P, A. The curve drawn through these points is known as pitch curve
8. From the points A, B, C ... N, P, draw circles of radius equal to the radius of the roller.
9. Join the bottoms of the circles with a smooth curve as shown in Fig. 20.17. This is the required profile of
the cam.
(b) Profile of the cam when when the line of stroke is offset by 15 mm from the axis of the camshaft
The profile of the cam when the line of stroke is offset from the axis of the cam shaft, as shown in Fig.
20.18, may be drawn as discussed in the following steps :
1. Draw a base circle with centre O and radius equal to 25 mm.
2. Draw a prime circle with centre O and radius OA = 35 mm.
3. Draw an off-set circle with centre O and radius equal to 15 mm.
4. Join OA. From OA draw the angular displacements of cam i.e. draw angle AOS = 120°, angle SOT = 30°
and angle TOP = 60°.
5. Divide the angular displacements of the cam during raising and lowering of the valve into the same
number of equal even parts (i.e. six parts ) as in displacement diagram.
6. From points 1, 2, 3 .... etc. and 0′,1′,3′, ...etc. on the prime circle, draw tangents to the offset circle.
7. Set off 1B, 2C, 3D... etc. equal to displacements as measured from displacement diagram.
8. By joining the points A, B, C ... M, N, P, with a smooth curve, we get a pitch curve.
9. Now A, B, C...etc. as centre, draw circles with radius equal to the radius of roller.
10.Join the bottoms of the circles with a smooth curve as shown in Fig. 20.18. This is the required profile
of the cam.
Knife edge follower with uniform acceleration
and retardation
Example 20.6.
A cam, with a minimum radius of 50 mm, rotating clockwise at a uniform speed,
is required to give a knife edge follower the motion as described below :
1. To move outwards through 40 mm during 100° rotation of the cam ;
2. To dwell for next 80° ;
3. To return to its starting position during next 90°, and
4. To dwell for the rest period of a revolution i.e. 90°.
Draw the profile of the cam when,
(a) when the line of stroke of the follower passes through the centre of the cam shaft,
and
(b) when the line of stroke of the follower is off-set by 15 mm.
The displacement of the follower is to take place with uniform acceleration and uniform
retardation. Determine the maximum velocity and acceleration of the follower when
the cam shaft rotates at 900 r.p.m.
First of all, the displacement diagram, as shown in Fig. 20.24 (a), is drawn as discussed in the following steps
:
1. Draw a horizontal line ASTPQ such that AS represents the angular displacement of the cam during
outward stroke (i.e. 100° ) to some suitable scale. The line ST represents the dwell period of 80° after
outward stroke. The line TP represents the angular displacement of the cam during return stroke (i.e.
90°) and the line PQ represents the dwell period of 90° after return stroke.
2. Divide AS and TP into any number of equal even parts (say six).
3. Draw vertical lines through points 0, 1, 2, 3 etc. and equal to the lift of the valve i.e. 40 mm.
4. Divide the vertical lines 3-f and 3-f ′ ′into six equal parts as shown by points a, b, c . . . and ′ a , ′ b , ′ c . . .
in Fig. 20.24 (a).
5. Since the follower moves with equal uniform acceleration and uniform retardation, there fore the
displacement diagram of the outward and return stroke consists of a double parabola.
6. Join Aa, Ab and Ac intersecting the vertical lines through 1, 2 and 3 at B, C and D respectively.
7. Join the points B, C and D with a smooth curve. This is the required parabola for the half outstroke of the
valve. Similarly, the other curves may be drawn as shown in Fig. 20.24. 8. The curve A B C . . . N P Q is the
required displacement diagram.
For uniform acceleration and retardation
Homework (2/3 Assignment)

Draw the Cam profile for:

Example 20.3 (b)

Example 20.6 (i), (ii), and determine the maximum velocity and acceleration for it.