ESDU Engineer
Issue 08
Data Item 01002 - The use of Data Items on cam design
Cams are used in a wide range of machinery to transmit desired motions to a follower. The cam/follower system must satisfy the functional requirements of the motion in terms of speed of operation and displacement profile with time, but also carry the operational loads imposed by the machine for the intended life of the machine. In each stage of this design and analysis process methods and data are required to determine satisfactory performance.
ESDU issues a wide range of Data Items for use during the design and analysis of cam mechanisms employing disc cams with flat-faced, domed or roller followers operating with translating or swinging motion.
The purpose of this Guide (Data Item 01002) is to help users of those Data Items employ them to their best advantage.
The guide provides a brief outline of cam design, identifying the major stages of the process which involve:
- specification of the technical objectives,
- selection of the mechanism type to meet those objectives,
- evaluation of the primary component dimensions to achieve the required follower motion
- performance analysis of the final design,
- assessment of the final results.
The Item also provides a list of common causes of failure of cam and follower mechanisms, identifying the symptoms, possible causes of failure and a set of remedies.
Chris Loughton is the Group Head responsible for Mechanical Motion. He can be contacted at clou@esdu.com