Dimensionless design approach to translating flat faced follower mechanism with two-circular-arc cam

Abstract

Abstract. In this study, a dimensionless design approach was presented for translating flat-faced follower mechanism with two-circular-arc cam. Instead of second arc radius (r2), maximum follower lift (smax) and angle of the cam rotation angle (2θmax) variables from the cam profile design parameters were made dimensionless using r2∕r (=λ), smax∕r (=ψ) and θmax∕π (=μ) respectively. Equations for cam profile and follower movement were derived and graphics were obtained depending on the dimensionless parameters. λ and ψ should be in the range [0.0, 1.0], but μ should be in the range [0.0, 0.5]. λ and ψ were changed in the range [0.10, 0.90] and μ in the [0.25, 0.45] range and λ, ψ and μ values were determined for the cam profile. Maximum velocity (vmax), maximum absolute acceleration (amax) and average follower lift (save) changes, which are one of the critical characteristics of follower, were examined for possible cam profiles according to the change of λ, ψ and μ. As a result, vmax and save decreased when μ was increased, vmax and save increased and amax decreased when ψ was increased, amax and save increased when λ was increased.