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 (or Cam-Part) :

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

Cam-Shaft :

The most common Cam-Part. It is rotating-Part (a shaft), to which you add the 2D-Cam (or 3D-Cam) as a Cam-Profile. A Cam-Shaft usually rotates with a constant angular-velocity.

Cam-Profile :

The curved surface of a 2D-Cam (or 3D-Cam) that imparts a motion to a Follower by point or line contact with the surface of a Follower-Profile.

Cam-Track :

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

Follower (or Follower-Part) :

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

Follower-Profile :

The surface of a machine component that is rigidly connected to the Follower-Part. The surface that is in continuous contact with the Cam-Profile.

Follower-Roller :

A common Follower-Profile that is cylindrical or barrel-shaped, and rigidly connected to the Follower-Part.

Flat-faced Follower : 

A Follower-Profile that is a flat surface that is rigidly connected to the Follower-Part.

Translating Follower :

A Follower-Part that moves along a straight axis.

Reciprocating :

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

Rotating Follower :

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

Oscillating :

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

Progressive Motion :

A motion that moves the Follower-Part generally in one direction.

Non-Progressive Motion :

A motion that returns the Follower-Part 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.