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

3D-Cam

Add 3D-Cam and Degrees of Freedom

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

Terminology:

3D-Cam :

A 3D-Cam has complex Cam-Flanks that interact with Follower-Rollers. The axis the rotating 3D-Cam is not parallel with the rotating-axes of the Follower-Rollers.

Barrel, Cylindrical, and Globoidal Cams are different types of 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.

You must add elements to:

•3 Mechanism-Editors on 3 Planes to add a Barrel Cam

•4 Mechanism-Editors on 3 Planes to add a Globoidal Cam

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

Top-Tip:

Rename the Mechanism-Editors to the elements that you must select to add a 3D-Cam. E.g. Cam, Follower, Roller, Blank.

Mechanism: Name-tabs, Light-Bulbs, and Colors

Prepare the view:

Before you start the Add 3D-Cam command, prepare the view to see all five elements.

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

and

1.Right-click each Mechanism name-tab with an element you must click to add a 3D-Cad

2.Click Show with other Kinematic and Sketch elements.

The Light-bulbs Red-14-2 should now be orange.

It is easier to select the five elements when you hide Planes and Solids in the graphics-area.

1.Deselect to disable : Visibility toolbar > Show Solids in Mechanism-Editor

Prepare the five elements and the view so that you can see all 5 elements.

Part : Follower

Profile : Follower-Roller

Part : Cam - in the active Mechanism-Editor

Profile : Cam-Blank

Line : Cam-Blank Rotational-Axis

Add 3D Cam

STEP 1: Click Add 3D-Cam

1.Mechanism menu > Add 3D-Cam

1.Machine-elements toolbar > Add 3D-Cam

There are five elements to select in the Command-Manager

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

Part: Follower: Click the Cyan Part-Outline

Profile: Follower-Roller: Click the Pink Profile

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

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

Line: Cam-Blank Rotational Axis: Click the Yellow Line

STEP 3: Complete the command

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

Elements to add a 3D-Cam:

Result

You can see the 3D-Cam in the graphics-area.

The 3D-Cam has four surfaces, which enclose the solid volume that you cut from a Cam-Blank. The four surfaces are:

•Cam Flank × 2 - one flank for each working side of the Follower-Roller

•Floor Surface - a surface to connect the bottom edges of the Cam-Flanks

•Top Surface - a surface to connect the top edges of the Cam-Flanks. This surface should be outside of the Cam-Blank.

You should now edit the 3D-Cam parameters: See 3D-Cam dialog