Cam-Terminology

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Cam-Terminology

Terminology:

Terms :

Definitions

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) onto which you fix a 2D-Cam (or 3D-Cam). The shaft usually rotates with constant angular-velocity.

Cam-Profile :

The surface of a 2D-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-Profile that is cylindrical or barrel-shaped.

Flat-faced Follower : 

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 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.