Add 2D-Cam

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Add 2D-Cam

2D-Cam

See also: 2D-Cam dialog

Add 2D-Cam does NOT remove a degree-of-freedom from the model.

We calculate for you the shape of a 2D-Cam from the relative motions of a Cam-Part and a Follower-Part, together with the shape of the Follower-Profile.

Add the Cam-Part, Follower-Part, and Follower-Profile to the model before you do Add 2D-Cam.
tog_minus-DARKCam-Terminology / 2D-Cam Work-flow

Cam Terminology

Terms :

Definitions

Cam (or Cam-Part) :

The Part to which you add the  (2D-Cam) to generate the shape of the Cam-Profile.

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 Cam-Flank and surface that is an extrusion of a 2D-Cam (or 3D-Cam) which is in continuous contact with the Follower-Profile.

Track-Cam or Groove-Cam :

A groove that is cut into a Cam-Blank with 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.

Follower Kinematic-Chain

(or Kinematic Mechanism) :

The Follower-Part and the other Parts that you join to the Follower-Part, to move the Tooling or Tool-Part.

Follower-Profile :

The surface of a machine component that is rigidly connected to the Follower-Part. The surface 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 that moves along a straight axis.

Reciprocating Motion :

A Translating Follower with a non-progressive motion.

Rotating Follower :

A Follower-Part that rotates about a fixed axis.

Oscillating Motion :

A rotating-Part with a non-progressive motion.

Progressive Motion :

A motion, usually followed by a Dwell, that moves the Follower-Part progressively in one direction.

Non-Progressive Motion :

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

Indexing :

A progressive motion, usually rotating.

Indexer :

A device whose input is a constant-speed (usually) Cam-Shaft and output is a rotating-Part with a progressive motion. The input rotates one time to index the output one time. The index-angle is such that 360º/(Index-Angle) is an integer.

Cam-Blank :

The material from which you cut the shape of the Cam-Profile.

Cam Work-flow

Action

Help Topic

1.Add a 2D-Cam  

see Add 2D-Cam

If the new 2D-Cam is one of a pair of Conjugate-Cams, or it is one flank of a Groove-Cam:

1.a. Add a Conjugate-Cam FB

see Add Conjugate Cam FB

1.b. Edit the Conjugate-Cam FB to select the two 2D-Cams.

see Conjugate-Cam dialog

2.Select a 2D-Cam or a Conjugate-Cam FB as the Power Source for the kinematic-chain that includes the Follower

see Configure-Power Source

3.Review the 2D-Cam : Display, Properties, Roller-Life, Cam-Life, ...

see 2D-Cam dialog

4.Add a Cam-Data FB

see Add Cam-Data FB

5.Edit the Cam-Data FB to link it to a 2D-Cam - close the dialog

see Cam-Data dialog

6.Connect wires from the output-connectors of the Cam-Data FB to a Graph FB

7.Analyze the 2D-Cam

see Cam-Data dialog : Cam Analysis

8.Edit the Cam-Data FB again to calculate the Cam's Coordinates

see Cam-Data dialog : Cam-Coordinates

Prepare to add 2D-Cam (typical):

Preparation for Add 2D-Cam

Preparation for Add 2D-Cam

The elements you need in the model before you can do Add 2D-Cam:

Cam-Part Red-14-1 - any Part that is kinematically-defined

Follower-Part Red-14-3 - any other Part that is kinematically-defined

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

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.

The Cam-Part and Follower-Part are usually in different kinematic-chains, but they may be in the same kinematic-chain.

See also Follower-Profile Shapes.

Do Add 2D-Cam:

MD-2DCAM-ComMan-0

STEP 1: Click Add 2D-Cam

Add 2D-Cam icon

1.Mechanism menu > Add 2D-Ca

OR

1.Machine-elements toolbar > Add 2D-Cam

The command-manager indicates you need to select two elements.
MD-2DCAM-PREP

STEP 2: Select the two elements

Element 1 is the Part to which you want to add the 2D-Cam - the Cam-Part.

1.Click the Part-Outline Red-14-1 in the graphics-area, or the Part element in the Assembly-Tree

Element 2 is the Follower-Profile in the Follower-Part.

2.Click the ProfileRed-14-2 in the graphics-area or the Profile element in the Assembly-Tree

Typically, the Follower-Profile is a Follower-Roller or a Flat-Faced Follower.
MD-2DCAM-ComMan-1

STEP 3: Complete the Command

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

It may be necessary to do Rebuild Now - see Quick Access menu

 
MD-2DCAM-COMP

Result :

Graphics-area

The Inner and Outer 2D-Cams show in the graphics-area.

 
MD-2DCAM-ASSY

Result :

Assembly-Tree

A Cam-PlateRed-14-2 as a child to PartRed-14-1 (Cam-Part).

The 2D-CamRed-14-3 is a child to the Cam-PlateRed-14-2.

 

The icon for the 2D-Cam element in the Assembly-Tree may warn you that it is a “Bad Cam”.

We warn you that a 2D-Cam is a “Bad Cam” when its minimum Radius-of-Curvature is less that than a preset percentage of the radius of the Follower-Roller. There is a default percentage and a percentage we can set for a each 2D-Cam.

Default Percentage - see Application-Settings

Each 2D-Cam - see 2D-Cam dialog > Cam Range and Radius

YOU must make sure the cam is suitable for your needs, even if it is a “Good Cam”.

MD-AT-2DCam-Good

“Good Cam”

MD-AT-2DCam-Bad

“Bad Cam”

Next Steps: see 2D-Cam Work-Flow.

Video (EN):

Video: Add 2D-Cam