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

Add 2D-Cam

2D-Cam and Degrees of Freedom

Add 2D-Cam does NOT remove any Degrees-of-Freedom.

Terminology:

Cam / 2D-Cam :	A Cam (2D-Cam element) 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: Work-flow

1.YOU ARE HERE: Add a 2D-Cam - see below

IF the new 2D-Cam is a Conjugate-Cam or a Groove-Cam (or other Body-Closed Cam):

1.a. Add a Conjugate-Cam FB - see Add Conjugate Cam FB

1.b. Edit the Conjugate-Cam FB to add at least two 2D-Cams - see Conjugate-Cam dialog-box.

2.Select the 2D-Cam or the Conjugate-Cam as the Power Source for the Follower - see Configure-Power Source

3.Review the 2D-Cam : Display, Properties, Life, ... - see 2D-Cam dialog-box

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

5.Edit the Cam-Data FB to link it to the 2D-Cam- - see Link the Cam-Data FB to a 2D-Cam

6.Connect wires from the Cam-Data FB to a Graph FB to analyse 5 parameters see below

7.Edit the Cam-Data FB again to Calculate the Cam-Coordinates - see Cam-Coordinates dialog

Preparation for Add 2D-Cam (Typical)

Preparation for Add 2D-Cam

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

Cam-Part - kinematically-defined.

Cam-Follower - a Profile in the Follower-Part

Follower-Part - 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.

Add 2D-Cam:

STEP 1: Click Add 2D-Cam

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

- or -

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

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

1.Click Part-Outline - this is the Cam-Part

2.Click Profile - in the Follower-Part

STEP 3: Complete the Command

3.Command-Manager: Click in the Command-Manager.

Result : Graphic-Area

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

Edit the 2D-Cam to see other display option.

E.g.: You can display the Pitch-Curve.

Result : Assembly-Tree

MechDesigner adds a Cam-Plate as a child to the Part to which you add 2D-Cam Red-14-3 .

The 2D-Cam is a child to the Cam-Plate.

To edit the properties of the 2D-Cam (and to calculate the Roller-Life and Cam-Life - see 2D-Cam dialog-box

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

The icon for the 2D-Cam, in the Assembly-Tree, provides a warning that the Cam may be Bad Cam.

We base the warning that the 2D-Cam might a Bad Cam on the Cam's Radius-of-Curvature as a percentage of the Follower's Radius. You can set warning limit.

The default warning limit is specified in the Application Settings - see here

You can specify a warning limit for each 2D-Cam - see 2D-Cam dialog-box

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

A Good Cam

A Bad Cam

Menu | Mechanism | Add 2D-Cam