Introduction to Cam and Followers, classification and types

CAM AND FOLLOWER

 

                 A cam is a rotating machine element which gives reciprocating or oscillating motion to another element known as follower.

                The cam rotates usually at constant speed and drives the follower whose motion depends upon the shape of the cam. Almost always the cam is the driver and the follower is the driven.

 In a cam mechanism, the three essential members are:
                          The cam which has a curved surface or straight surface, 
                          The follower and 
                          The frame which supports and guides.

2-Types of Followers: 

                    The followers which are having either reciprocating or oscillating motion, are generally classified as: 

                     1) According to the surface in contact.

                         The followers, according to the surface in contact, are as follows :

                     a) Knife edge follower: 
                                When the contacting end of the follower has a sharp knife edge, it is called a                                         knife edge follower, as shown in Fig. (a). 
                     b) Roller follower: 
                                 When the contacting end of the follower is a roller, it is called a roller  follower,                                   as shown in Fig. (b).             
                     c) Flat faced or mushroom follower: 
                                  When the contacting end of the follower is a perfectly flat face, it is called a                                          flat-faced follower, as shown in Fig. (c).

                     2) According to the motion of the follower:- 

                       The followers, according to its motion, are of the following two types: 

                       a) Reciprocating or translating follower.
                                   When the follower reciprocates in guides as the cam rotates uniformly, it is                                            known as reciprocating or translating follower. The followers as shown in Fig.                                      (a) to (c) are all reciprocating or translating followers.
                        b) Oscillating or rotating follower. 
                                    When the uniform rotary motion of the cam is converted into predetermined                                           oscillatory motion of the follower, it is called oscillating or rotating follower.                                        The follower, as shown in Fig. below, is an oscillating or rotating follower.


                         3)According to the path of motion of the follower :- 

                       The followers, according to its path of motion, are of the following two types: 

                       a) Radial follower: 
                                        When the motion of the follower is along an axis passing through                                                          the centre of the cam, it is known as radial follower. The followers, as                                                    shown  in Fig. (a) to (c), are all radial followers.                        b) Off-set follower :
                                         When the motion of the follower is along an axis away from the                                                              axis of the cam centre, it is called off-set follower. The follower, as shown                                           in Fig. below, is an off-set follower. 


Note: Radial or disc cam. In radial cams, the follower reciprocates or oscillates in a direction perpendicular to the cam axis.


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