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

3D-Cam

Add 3D-Cam and Degrees of Freedom

Add 3D-Cam does NOT remove a Degrees-of-Freedom.

Terminology:

3D-Cam :

A 3D-Cam has complex surfaces with Cam-Flanks that interact with Cam-Follower Rollers.

Barrel, Cylindrical, and Globoidal Cams are 3D-Cams.

Globoidal Cams are also known as Roller-Gear-Drives and Ferguson Cams.

Prepare to add a 3D-Cam (typical)

You must prepare the model with five(5) elements.

Also:

•3 Mechanism-Editors for a Barrel Cam

•4 Mechanism-Editors for a Globoidal Cam

All Parts are kinematically-defined before you do Add 3D-Cam.

Top-Tip: Rename the Mechanism-Editors to the names of the elements you need to Add 3D-Cam. See Rename dialog-box

Prepare the view:

1.Click Visibility toolbar > Show other Kinematic and Sketch elements

To show the Other Kinematic and Sketch elements in each Mechanism-Editor:

1.Right-click the name-tab of each Mechanism-Editor that has an element you need to add a 3D-Cad

2.Click Show with other Kinematic and Sketch elements.

The Light-bulbs should now be orange

Do not show Solids to Add 3D-Cam

1.De-select Visibility toolbar > Show Solids in Mechanism-Editor

Prepare the five elements:

Part : Follower-Part in Mechanism-B

Profile : Follower-Roller in Mechanism-B | the Profile must be circular.

Part : Cam-Part in Mechanism-A - this must be the active Mechanism-Editor

Profile : Cam-Blank in Mechanism-C

Line : Line in Mechanism-C

Add 3D Cam

STEP 1: Click Add 3D-Cam

1.Mechanism-Editor: Add menu > Mechanism menu > Add 3D-Cam

1.Mechanism-Editor: Machine-elements toolbar > Add 3D-Cam

There are five elements to select in the Command-Manager

Elements to add a 3D-Cam:

STEP 2: Click the five elements, from top-to-bottom, in the graphic-area or the Assembly-Tree.

Part: Cam-Follower Part: Click the Grey Part-Outline

Profile: Cam-Follower Roller: Click the Grey Profile (contour)

Part: Cam-Part: Click the Green Part-Outline in the active Mechanism-Editor

Profile: Cam-Blank Profile: Click the Grey Profile (contour)

Lines Line that is the axis-of-rotation of the Cam-Blank: Click the Grey sketch-line

STEP 3: Complete the command

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

Result : Graphic-Area

MechDesigner adds the 3D-Cam

The 3D-Cam has four surfaces, which enclose the volume you will cut from a Cam-Blank

Four Surfaces

•Cam Flank Surface x 2 - one flank to each side of the Follower-Roller

•Floor Surface - a surface between the bottom edges of the Cam-Flank Surfaces

•Top Surface - a surface between the top edges of the Cam-Flank Surfaces. This surface should be outside of the Cam-Blank.

To edit the 3D-Cam parameters: See 3D-Cam dialog-box