CAMS

1.1 DEFINITION OF CAMS

A cam is a plate, a cylinder or any solid piece designed in such a way as to produce
any desired motion of the follower or the cam itself.

1.2 TERMINOLOGIES

Follower
Is the piece in contact with the cam to which motion is imparted to.
Radial Follower
Is a follower whose line of action passes through the cam shaft center.
Offset Follower
Is a follower whose line of action does not coincide with the center of the cam.
Base Circle
Is a circle with the center at camshaft center and radius equal to the nearest point in
the pitch profile.
Pitch Profile
Is the path followed by the tracer point during one revolution of the cam.

Cam Profile or Working Curve

Is the projection of the actual cam surface.
⮚ For a plate cam having a knife-edge or point follower, the theoretical and
working curves are the same.
⮚ For a plate cam having a roller follower, the theoretical curve is plotted with
respect to the roller center and working curve is drawn by making the necessary
adjustments for roller radius.
Cam Angle
An angle the cam turns through while the follower is displaced. In a number of cases
several cam angles are required in one complete revolution of the cam for the follower
to make several strokes during a cam rotation.
Displacement Diagram
Is a diagram plotted in a rectangular axis, it is used to show the relation between
successive positions of the follower and the cam. The diagram represents the follower
displacement as the ordinate, and the linear distances in the abscissa representing the
angular cam displacements.
Rise or Throw
Is the outward or upward displacement of the follower from its lowest position. We
may also call this outward movement the stroke or lift.
Return or Fall
Is the inward or downward displacement of the follower from its highest point.
Dwell or Rest
A dwell or rest occurs when the follower remains stationary for a finite rotation of the
cam.

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1.3 Types of Follower Motion

a) Uniform Motion
Motion of the follower is proportional to the cam displacement.
mm
or
cm

Angle or Time

b) Harmonic Motion
Motion of the follower is defined by a point moving about the circumference of a
circle, at constant speed.
mm
or
cm

Angle or Time
o-d, accelerated harmonic motion; d-h, decelerated harmonic motion

c) Gravitational or Parabolic Motion (Uniformly Accelerated and Retarded Motion)

Motion of the follower is defined by the action of gravity acting on a body.
mm
or
cm

Angle or Time
o-d, uniformly accelerated motion; d-h, uniformly retarded motion
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1.4 PLATES FOR DISPLACEMENT DIAGRAM

PLATE 1
Plot the displacement diagram for a body that is to rise and fall as follows: rise 50cm
with gravitational motion while the cam turns 120o; fall 25cm with uniform velocity for 60o;
allow it to return to its original position with harmonic motion while the cam turns 120o; and
hold it at rest for remainder of the cycle. Use KF=1:5, KC= 1cm: 15o.(Use eight divisions for all
types of motion.)

PLATE 2
Plot the displacement diagram for a follower that rises 40mm with simple harmonic
motion in a quarter revolution; dwells for an eighth revolution; rises 40mm with simple
harmonic motion in a quarter revolution; dwells for a sixteenth revolution; returns to its original
position with uniform motion in a quarter revolution and dwells for a sixteenth revolution of
the cam. Use KF=1.5:1, KC=24cm: 1rev. (Use eight divisions for all types of motion.)

PLATE 3
Plot the displacement diagram for a follower that rises 30mm with accelerated
harmonic motion for 60o turn of the cam; still for 30o; rise 40mm with uniformly decelerated
motion for 90o turn; fall 40mm with uniformly accelerated motion for 90o turn; still for 30o; fall
30mm with decelerated harmonic motion for the remainder of the cycle. Use KF=2:1,
KC=10mm:15o. (Use eight divisions for all types of motion.)

PLATE 4
Plot the displacement diagram for a follower that rises 140mm with decelerated
harmonic motion in 15 seconds; dwells for 5 seconds; rises 140mm with accelerated harmonic
motion in 15 seconds; dwells for 5 seconds; returns to its lowest position with gravitational
motion in 20 seconds. Use KF=1:2, KC=30cm: 60seconds. (Use eight divisions for all types of
motion.)

PLATE 5
Plot the displacement diagram for a follower that has the following displacements: rise
6cm with uniform retardation for 90o. Rise 6cm with uniform acceleration for 45o; fall 6cm with
simple harmonic motion for 90o; dwells 45o; return to its initial position for the remainder of
the cycle with uniform motion. Use KF=1:1; KC= 1cm:15o; (Use 6 divisions for uniform
acceleration, uniform retardation and uniform motion; use 8 divisions for simple harmonic
motion.)

2.1 CAM PROFILES

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2.11 In-Line Knife Edge (Point) Follower
The most efficient manner to describe the construction of a cam with a knife-edge
follower is through an actual construction. Using the displacement diagram from Fig. 9.18, a
cam profile to be used with a knife-edge follower has been constructed and shown in Fig. 9.19.

The following general procedure is used to graphically construct such a profile:

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 1.) Draw the base circle of diameter 𝐷𝑏 . The size is typically a function of the spatial
constraints of the application.
2.) Draw the follower in the home position.
3.) Draw radial lines from the center of the cam, corresponding to the cam angles
identified on the displacement diagram. For construction purposes, the cam will
remain stationary and the follower will be rotated in a direction opposite to the actual
cam rotation.
4.) Transfer the displacements from the displacement diagram to the radial lines.
Measure these displacements from the base circle.
5.) Draw a smooth curve through these prescribed displacements.
6.) To accurately construct a profile consistent with the displacement diagram, it may be
necessary to transfer additional intermediate points from the rise and fall intervals.

2.12 In-Line (Radial) Roller Follower

Again, the most efficient manner of describing the construction of a cam with an in-
line roller follower is through an actual construction. Using the displacement diagram from Fig.
9.18, a cam profile to be used with an in-line roller follower has been constructed and shown
in Fig.9.20.

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Thefollowing general procedure is used to construct such a profile:
1.) Draw the base circle of diameter 𝐷𝑏 .
2.) Draw the follower of radius 𝑅𝑓 in the home position, tangent to the base circle.
3.) Draw radial lines from the center of the cam, corresponding to the cam angles
identified on the displacement diagram.
4.) Identify the trace point at the home position. For a roller follower, this is the point at
the center of the roller.
5.) Draw the prime circle through the trace point at its home position.
6.) Transfer the displacements from the displacement diagram to the radial lines.
Measure these displacements from the prime circle.
7.) Draw the roller outline of radius 𝑅𝑓 , centered at the prescribed displacements
identified in the previous step.
8.) Draw a smooth curve tangent to the roller at these prescribed displacements.
9.) To accurately construct a profile consistent with the displacement diagram, it may be
necessary to transfer additional intermediate points from the rise and fall intervals.

2.13 Offset Roller Follower

The most efficient manner of describing the construction of a cam with an offset
roller follower is through an actual construction. Using the displacement diagram from Fig.
9.18, a cam profile to be used with an offset roller follower has been constructed and shown
in Fig. 9.21.
The following general procedure is used to construct such a profile:

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1) Draw the base circle of diameter 𝐷𝑏 .
2) Draw the follower centerline in the home position.
3) Draw the prime circle, whose radius is equal to the sum of the base and roller
follower radii (𝑅𝑏 + 𝑅𝑓 ).
4) Draw the follower in the home position of radius 𝑅𝑓 , centered where the follower
centerline intersects at the prime circle.
5) Identify the trace point at the home position. For a roller follower, this is the point
that is at the center of the roller.
6) Draw an offset circle of radius e, centered at the cam rotation axis. It will be tangent
to the follower centerline.
7) Draw lines tangent to the offset circle, corresponding to the reference cam angles on
the displacement diagram. For construction purposes, the cam will remain stationary
and the follower will be rotated in a direction opposite to the actual cam rotation.
8) Transfer the displacements from the displacement diagram to the offset lines.
Measure these displacements from the prime circle.
9) Draw the roller outline of radius 𝑅𝑓 , centered at the prescribed displacements
identified in the previous step.
10) Draw a smooth curve tangent to the roller at these prescribed displacements.
11) To accurately construct a profile consistent with the displacement diagram, it may be
necessary to transfer additional intermediate points from the rise and fall intervals.

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2.14 Translating Flat-
Faced Follower

The most efficient manner for

describing the construction of a cam with a flat-faced follower is through an actual
construction. Using the displacement diagram from Fig. 9.18, a cam profile to be used with a
translating flat-faced follower has been constructed and shown in Fig. 9.22.

The following general procedure is used to graphically construct such a profile:

1.) Draw the base circle of diameter 𝐷𝑏 .
2.) Draw the follower in the home position, tangent to the base circle.
3.) Draw radial lines from the center of the cam, corresponding to the cam angles on the
displacement diagram. For construction purposes, the cam will remain stationary and
the follower will be rotated in a direction opposite to the actual cam rotation.
4.) Transfer the displacements from the displacement diagram to the radial lines,
measured from the base circle.
5.) Draw the flat-faced outline by constructing a line perpendicular to the radial lines at
the prescribed displacements,
6.) Draw a smooth curve tangent to the flat-faced outlines.
7.) To accurately construct a profile consistent with the displacement diagram, it may be
necessary to transfer additional intermediate points from the rise and fall motions.

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2.15 PLATES FOR CAM PROFILE

PLATE 1
Design a plate cam to give the following motion to a point follower, raise 4cm in one-
third turn with simple harmonic motion, remain still for one-third turn; allow it to return to its
original position with uniform motion for the remainder of the cycle. The cam rotates counter
clockwise. Use an 9cm base circle.

PLATE 2
Draw the cam profile for a point follower to rise 50mm during 150° turn with
gravitational motion, to dwell for 30°, to fall 50mm during 150° turn with gravitational motion,
to dwell for 30°. Use a 100mm base circle. Cam rotates clockwise.

PLATE 3
Design a plate cam to give the following motion to a point follower, rise 40mm with
accelerated harmonic motion for 150° turn of the cam; rise 30mm with uniform motion for 60°
turn; fall 70mm with decelerated harmonic motion for 150° turn. The cam rotates counter
clockwise. Use a 70mm base circle.

PLATE 4
A radial roller follower is to move with the following displacement: ascend 50mm with
accelerated harmonic motion while the cam rotates 120°; dwell for the next 120° and descend
to its original position with uniformly accelerated motion for the remainder of the cycle. Design
the required plate cam for this follower. Use a base radius of 45mm and a roller diameter of
20mm. Cam rotates clockwise.

PLATE 5
Design a plate cam to give the following motion to a roller follower; raise 40mm with
uniform motion for 60°, dwell for 30°, return to its position with uniformly accelerated motion,
and with retarded motion for 240° and dwell for the remainder of the cycle. Use a 110mm
base circle and a 20mm roller. Cam turns counter clockwise.

PLATE 6
An offset roller follower has its axis 40mm to the right and 50mm above the cam axis
when it is in its lowest position. Draw the cam profile if the follower is to rise by 30mm with
harmonic motion for a cam rotation of 240, fall instantly by 30mm and hold it at that position
for the remainder of the cycle. Use a 20mm roller diameter. Cam rotates counter clockwise.

PLATE 7
With a 20mm diameter roller follower whose center is on a vertical line passing 30mm
to the right of the cam axis, layout the working curve for a plate cam turning uniformly
clockwise. The motion of the follower is to be down, 35mm with harmonic motion for 90° turn
of the cam; dwell for 60°; down 15mm at once; up 50mm with harmonic motion in 180° turn
and remains at rest for the remainder of the cam cycle. Find the radius of the base circle if the
highest position of the roller is to be on the plane 90mm above the axis of the cam.

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PLATE 8
Layout the cam profile for the disk cam with flat-face follower. The plane of the face is
perpendicular to the line of motion. The follower is to be move outward 40mm with harmonic
motion in one-third turn of the cam, return to the original position with harmonic motion in
one-third turn, and dwells in the last one-third turn. Use an 80mm base circle. Rotation is
counter clockwise.

PLATE 9
Layout the working curve for a plate cam with a flat face follower. The plane of the
face is perpendicular to the line of motion and is directly above the cam. The follower is to rise
6.0cm with accelerated harmonic motion in one-third revolution, dwell for one-third revolution
and return to its original position with decelerated harmonic motion for the remainder of the
cycle. Use a 5.0cm base circle. Rotation is clockwise.

PLATE 10
Follower F slides in guides, and starts when the rocker is at its lowest point. It remains
at rest for 120° revolution of the cam; then rises 60mm with gravitational motion for 120°
revolution; then falls to its original position with uniform motion for the remainder of the cam
cycle. Cam rotates clockwise. Use a base radius of 50mm.

3.1 CYLINDRICAL CAMS

The general appearance of a cylindrical cam is shown in Fig. 7-2. The procedure for
drawing a cylindrical cam will now be discussed.

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 Figure 7-28 gives dimensions for the hub and groove for a cylindrical cam which is to
hold a follower still for one-eighth turn of the cam, move it 2 in. to the right in a line parallel
to the axis of the cam, with uniformly accelerated and uniformly retarded motion while the
cam makes three-eighths turn, hold it still for one-eighth turn, and return it to its original
position with similar motion in three-eighths turn.
Solution:
In Fig. 7-29, locate the centerline XX’. On the line XX’ choose the point Q at any
convenient place and draw the circle K whose radius is equal to the outside radius of the
cylinder. Also draw the dotted circle P with the radius equal to the outside radius minus the
depth of the groove. Draw the vertical center line YY’. Lay back the angle YQB equal to 45∘,
one-eighth of 360∘. This is the angle through which the cam will turn before the follower starts
to move. Since the movement of the follower is to take place during the next three-eighths of
a turn, the cam will turn through the angle BQY’ to give the motion to the follower. Since the
follower is to remain at rest during the next one-eighth turn, the angle Y’QT equal to 45∘ will
next be drawn, and the remaining angle TQY will be the angle through which the cam will turn
to move the follower back to its original position. Now, draw the center line MN at any
convenient distance on the right of the figure already drawn, and locate the point E on this
line at a distance from XX’ equal to the outside radius of the cylinder. On a horizontal line
drawn through E locate the points F and G, each at a distance from E equal to the radius of
the roller on which the cam is to act. Draw HJ parallel to FG at a distance from it equal to the
depth of the groove. Through F and G draw lines to the point L where MN intersects the axis
XX’. That portion of the line HJ intersected between FL and GL will be the width of the groove
at the bottom. Before it is possible to proceed further in the construction of this side elevation

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of the cam, it is necessary to make development of its outer surface. Draw the line M’N’ equal
the length to the circumference of the cylinder.
Lay off M’B’ equal to the length of the arc YB and 𝐵′𝑌′2 equal to the length of the arc
BY’. Divide 𝐵′𝑌′2 into any even number of equal parts, in this case eight, and letter points of
division 𝑎′, b’, c’, d’, e’, f’, and g’. Through the points thus found draw vertical lines, On the
vertical line through M’ lay off M’8 equal to the distance through which the follower is to move,
and divide M’8 into “gravity” divisions, using as many divisions as there equal divisions in 𝐵′𝑌′2 .
Mark the points thus found 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. From 1 project across to the vertical through 𝑎’.
From 2 project to the vertical through b’, and so on, thus getting the points 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,
14, 15, and 16. A smooth curve drawn through these points will be the development of the
center line of that portion of the cam groove which moves the follower to the right. Make 𝑌′2 𝑇′
equal to the length of the arc Y’T. The development of the center line of the groove between
the verticals at 𝑌′2 and T’ is a horizontal straight line. Since the return motion of the follower
is a duplicate of the forward motion, the curve 17N’, being a duplicate of the curve B’16, will
be the development of the center line of that portion of the cam groove which moves the
follower back to its original position.
The above construction gives a development of the center line of the groove on the
outer surface of the cylinder. The lines forming the development of the sides of the groove
are smooth curves drawn tangent to arcs, swung about a series of centers along the line M’B’
– 16 – 17 – N’ with radii equal to the radius of the large end of the roller as shown in the
drawing. Similar curves drawn tangent to arcs swung about the same centers, with radius
equal to the radius of the large end of the roller plus the thickness of the flange forming the
sides of the groove, will be the development of the outer edges of these flanges.

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Figure 7-29.

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 The development of the corners of the bottom of the groove is constructed in the same
way, except that the length of the development is less, because it is a development of a
cylinder of smaller radius. The projection (on the side elevation) of the curves which have just
been developed are drawn by finding the projections corresponding to points r’, s’, t’, u’, where
these curves cut the vertical line, it being borne in mind that the vertical lines on the
development really represent the developed positions of elements of the cylinder, drawn
through points 𝑎, b, c, d, e, f, and g, which are found by dividing the arcs BY’ and TY into
divisions equal to the divisions in 𝐵′𝑌′2 and T’N’. The construction for the points r’, s’, t’, and
u’ only will be followed through as the construction for all other points will be exactly similar.
Through b on the end view draw and element of the cylinder across the side elevation. From
b, where this element intersects MN, lay off bt equal to b’t’, bu equal to b’u’, to the right of
MN since t’ and u’ are above M’N’, and bs equal to b’s’ and br equal to b’r’, to the left since s’
and r’ are below M’N’. The points r, s, t, u are the projections of points corresponding to r’, s’,
t’, u’. Projections of all other points where the curves intersect the verticals on the development
are found in exactly the same way, and smooth curves drawn through the points thus found
in exactly the same way, and smooth curves drawn through the points thus found will be the
projections of the corners of the bottom of the groove are obtained in the same way also
using, of course, elements through 𝑎2 , 𝑏2 , and so on, instead of 𝑎 and b.

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