•To learn how to model different cam types.

•To improve your modeling skills.

Please do tutorials 1,2,3, and 5 before Tutorial 6.

In machines, Cams impart motions to Followers.

The Cam usually has a simple motion, and the Follower has a more complex motion.

It is possible that the Cam or the Follower is stationary. Also, the Cam and the Follower may both have complex motions.

➢6A1: 2D-Cams – Rotating Cam & Circular Follower

➢6A2: 2D-Cams – Rotating Cam & Flat-faced Follower

➢6C : 3D-Cams – Barrel and Globoidal Cams

➢6D : 2D-Cams – A Stationary Linear 2D-Cam

➢6E : 2D-Cams – Design of Cams for a Cycloidal Gear Reducer - YouTube Tutorial

➢6F : 2D-Cams – Design of Cams for a Parallel-Indexer - YouTube Tutorial

Cam :

The Part that supports the Cam-Profile shape. Its motion is the input to the Cam system.

Cam-Shaft :

A rotating-Part, the shaft part, to which you the 2D-Cam (or 3D-Cam) and the Cam-Profile. A cam-shaft usually rotates with a constant angular-velocity.

Cam-Profile :

The surface of a 2D-Cam (or 3D-Cam) that is in continuous contact with the Follower-Profile.

Cam-Track :

A groove that is cut into a Cam-Blank with an Outer and an Inner Cam-Profile.

Follower :

The Part that supports the Follower-Profile. Its motion is the output from the cam system.

Follower-Profile :

The surface that interacts with the Cam-Profile.

Follower-Roller :

A Follower with a Follower-Profile that is cylindrical or barrel-shaped.

Flat-faced Follower : 

A Follower with a Follower-Profile that is a flat surface.

Translating Follower :

A Follower that moves along a straight axis.

Reciprocating :

A sliding-Part that has a non-progressive motion.

Rotating Follower :

A Follower that rotates about a fixed axis with a progressive or non-progressive motion.

Oscillating :

A rotating-Part that has a non-progressive motion.

Progressive Motion :

A motion that moves the Follower generally in one direction.

Non-Progressive Motion :

A motion that returns the Follower to its original position after each machine cycle.

Indexing :

A progressive, usually rotating motion.

Indexer :

A device whose input is a constant-speed Cam-Shaft and output is a rotating shaft with a progressive motion. After the cam-shaft rotates fully a number of times, the output shaft rotates by 360º.

Cam-Blank :

The material that you need before you cut the shape of the Cam-Profile.