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 a 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.

Track-Cam or Groove-Cam :

A groove is cut into a Cam-Blank there is an Outer and an Inner Cam-Profile. A Follower-Roller fits in the groove.

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 Follower-Profile that is cylindrical or barrel-shaped that is 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 nominally 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.