Menu | Mechanism | Add 2D-Cam

<< Click to Display Table of Contents >>

Navigation:  MechDesigner Reference & User Interface > 2.2 Mechanism-Editor: > Machine elements >

Menu | Mechanism | Add 2D-Cam

Add 2D-Cam

See also: 2D-Cam dialog-box

We calculate the curved-profile (that is, the 2D-Cam) from the relative motions of the Cam-Part and Cam-Follower-Part, together with the shape of the Cam-Follower.

Terminology:

Cam / 2D-Cam :

A Cam is a curved profile or surface that imparts a displacement (a motion-law) to a Follower by either point or line contact with a Cam-Follower.

Cam-Part :

The Part to which we add the 2D-Cam

Cam-Follower :

The shape of the sketch-loop and Profile / Extrusion that is in continuous-contact with the 2D-Cam.

Cam-Follower Part :

The Part to which we add the sketch-loop and Profile as the Cam-Follower.

2D-Cam: Elements, Parameters, Analysis, Coordinates

1.Add a 2D-Cam - see below

2.Review the 2D-Cam's Display, Properties, Life, ... - see 2D-Cam dialog-box

Then:

3.Add a Cam-Data FB - see Add Cam-Data FB

4.Link the 2D-Cam to the Cam-Data FB - see Link the Cam-Data FB to a 2D-Cam

Then:

5.Analyze 5 different parameters for the 2D-Cam - see Cam-Analysis Parameters

6.Calculate the Cam-Coordinates - see Cam-Coordinates dialog

Preparation for Add 2D-Cam (Typical)

Preparation for Add 2D-Cam

Preparation for Add 2D-Cam

The elements in the model before we do Add 2D-Cam:

Cam-Part Red-14-1 - kinematically-defined.

Cam-Follower Red-14-2 - a Profile in the Follower-PartRed-14-3

Follower-PartRed-14-3 - kinematically-defined.

The Cam-Part usually moves, but it may be stationary.

The Follower Part usually moves, but it may be stationary.

The Cam-Part and the Follower Part must move relative to each other.

See also Shape of the Cam-Follower.

Add 2D-Cam:

MD-CM-Add2DCam-0

STEP 1: Click Add 2D-Cam

Add 2D-Cam icon

1.Mechanism-Editor: Add menu > Mechanism menu  > Add 2D-Cam

- or -

1.Mechanism-Editor: Machine-elements toolbar > Add 2D-Cam

 
MD-GA-Add2DCam-Prep1

STEP 2: Select the two elements in the graphic-area (or Assembly-Tree)

1.Click Part-OutlineRed-14-1 - this is the Cam-Part

2.Click ProfileRed-14-2 - in the Follower-Part
MD-CM-Add2DCam-1

STEP 3: Complete the Command

3.Command-Manager: Click OK-tiny-11-15 in the Command-Manager.

 
MD-GA-2DCam

Result : Graphic-Area

The inside and outside 2D-Cams show in the graphic-area.

You can also display the Pitch-Curve

MD-AT-2DCam-0

Result : Assembly-Tree

MechDesigner adds a Cam-Plate as a child to the Cam-Part. The 2D-Cam is a child to the Cam-Plate.

You can add many 2D-Cams to the same Part, and Cam-Plate.

To edit the 2D-Cam - see 2D-Cam dialog-box

To analyse the 2D-Cam - see Add Cam-Data FB

MechDesigner identifies the Cam as a Good Cam or a Bad Cam -

It is based only on the Cam's Radius-of-Curvature relative to the Radius of the Follower.

YOU must make sure the cam is suitable for your needs.

MD-AT-2DCam-Good

A Good Cam

MD-AT-2DCam-Bad

A Bad Cam

Video:

 

Video: Add 2D-Cam