There are two possible complications:

A.The motion of the Follower relative to the Cam changes direction, or dithers*.

In MechDesigner, when the Follower changes its direction, the contact-point moves from one Cam-Flank to the other Cam-Flank. This happens even if the the change in direction is a short interval.

* Dithers : small directional changes.

B.The motion of the Follower is Stationary

When the Follower is stationary relative to the cam - usually at each end of the Slot-Cam - the contact-point also becomes stationary (of course). As the MMA increases, when the contact-point is stationary, we continue to calculate for you the cam-coordinates.

When the cam-coordinates have complications as described in A or B, or A and B, SOLIDWORKS cannot create the Curve feature.

Example of a cam with the two complications.

Refer to the image above and the VIDEO to the left.

The sliding-Part moves horizontally. A 'connecting-rod' joins the sliding-part to a point that has a complex 'looping' motion

Thus, the sliding-part moves to the right and left, then right again but with a complex motion, rather than move with a simple motion that is to the right and then to the left.

Each time the sliding-part changes its direction, the contact-point moves from one cam-flank to the other cam-flank

A line is drawn between the cam-flanks each time the contact moves across.

SOLIDWORKS will NOT be able to create a Curve Feature with this Cam.

Before we export the cam to SolidWorks, we must remove the two complications.

There are two ways:

•Manually edit the text file of the cam-coordinates before you import them into SolidWorks as a Curve feature. It is difficult, but possible.

•In MechDesigner, linearize the motion between the Cam and Follower. Linearize is the best option.

Linearize the Independent Input to the Cam.

We need two models - the Original-Model and a Dummy-Model.

STEP 1: Measure the full motion range of the sliding-part in the original-model.

Original Sliding Range = Maximum – Minimum

We can use a Measurement FB and a Graph FB to measure the displacement range of the sliding-part - just note the Minimum and Maximum values.

STEP 2: Build a Dummy-Model with a Dummy-Slider and a Dummy-Rocker.

Important: The input to the Dummy-Slider should increase at a constant rate ( Constant-Velocity ).

In one machine cycle, the Dummy-Slider should move the same distance and range as the Original-Slider

To do this:

1.Connect a Linear-Motion FB to the input of a Gearing FB. The output from the Gearing FB is connected to the input of the Motion-Dimension FB of the Dummy Slider.

2.Edit the Gearing FB and enter for the Gearing Ratio : Original Sliding Range (Maximum-Minimum) / 360 (the numerical sliding range, not the words!)

The output from the Gearing FB will increase steadily: From 0 to Real Sliding Range (mm) in one machine cycle.

For example:

If, with the original model, the Maximum Measurement is 340mm, and the Minimum Measurement is 20mm, then the Range is 340-20 = 320mm.

Thus enter the actual equation for the Gearing Ratio :  320/360 . The Gearing Ratio will equate to 0.88889. (You can also, if the Range is an integer value, use the Pulley Teeth parameters: Enter enter 320 as the output-pulley and the 360 as the input-pulley).

Connect wires from the output-connector of the Linear-Motion FB to the Gearing FB, and to the input-connectors of the Motion-Dimension FB.

Now the Dummy-Slider will move with Constant-velocity from 0 to 320mm

Now, the Cam-Coordinates will not change flanks.

When you export the cam, SolidWorks can create the Curve entity and the Cam feature.

Note: You may need to delete the last point in the saved cam-coordinate data or from the Curve feature in SolidWorks.

You can also save the Cam-Coordinates as a text file. and manually edit the values.