CAM AND FOLLOWERS

Other Chapters

• Q1: Define CAM.
  Ans: A cam is a mechanical device that converts rotary motion of a shaft into a desired reciprocating or oscillating motion of a follower.
• Q2: State four uses of Cam.
  Ans: The uses of cams are as follows:

  • ➔ Operate valves in engines
  • ➔ Control reciprocating motion in machines
  • ➔ Automate sequence operations in machinery
  • ➔ Convert rotary motion to linear or oscillatory motion
• Q3: Define Follower.
  Ans: A follower is a machine element that moves in response to the motion of a cam and follows its contour.
• Q4: State four uses of Followers.
  Ans: The uses of followers are as follows:

  • ➔ Follow the cam profile and transmit motion
  • ➔ Operate valves in engines
  • ➔ Actuate punches or slides in machinery
  • ➔ Control timing and displacement in automated systems
• Q5: State the classification of Followers.
  Ans: The followers are classified as follows:

  • ➔ Roller Follower
  • ➔ Knife Edge Follower
  • ➔ Spherical Faced Follower
  • ➔ Mushroom or Flat Faced Follower
  • ➔ Translating or Reciprocating Follower
  • ➔ Rotating or Oscillating Follower
  • ➔ Radial Follower
  • ➔ Off-set Follower
• Q6: Define Roller Follower.
  Ans: Roller follower has a wheel or roller at its end to reduce friction while following the cam profile.
• Q7: Define Knife Edge Follower.
  Ans: Knife edge follower has a sharp edge at its end to follow the cam, but it causes high wear due to concentrated contact.
• Q8: Define Spherical Faced Follower.
  Ans: Spherical faced follower has a rounded end, which reduces wear and friction compared to a knife edge follower.
• Q9: Define Mushroom or Flat Faced Follower.
  Ans: Mushroom or flat faced follower has a flat or mushroom-shaped end, suitable for smooth motion and uniform load distribution.
• Q10: Define Translating or Reciprocating Follower.
  Ans: Translating or reciprocating follower moves in a straight line in response to the cam rotation.
• Q11: Define Rotating or Oscillating Follower.
  Ans: Rotating or oscillating follower rotates about a pivot as it follows the cam profile.
• Q12: Define Radial Follower.
  Ans: Radial follower moves along a line passing through the center of cam rotation (follower moves radially outward from cam).
• Q13: Define Off-set Follower.
  Ans: Off-set follower has its motion path displaced from the cam center to reduce pressure angle or improve motion smoothness.
• Q14: State the classification of Cams.
  Ans: The cams are classified as follows:

  • ➔ Radial or Disc Cam
  • ➔ Cylindrical Cam
• Q15: Define Radial or Disc Cam.
  Ans: Radial or disc cam is a flat circular cam with a profile on its periphery that drives a follower placed radially.
• Q16: Define Cylindrical Cam.
  Ans: Cylindrical cam is a cam with a cylindrical surface and grooves cut along it.
  A follower moves along the grooves as the cylinder rotates.
• Q17: Define Pressure Angle in Cam.
  Ans: Pressure angle is the angle between the direction of follower motion and the normal to the cam profile at the point of contact.
• Q18: Define Base Circle in Cam.
  Ans: Base circle is the smallest circle that can be drawn tangent to the cam profile.
• Q19: Define Trace Point in Cam.
  Ans: Trace point is a specific point on the follower used to study the motion and displacement caused by the cam.
• Q20: Define Pitch Point in Cam.
  Ans: Pitch point is the point of contact between the cam and follower where the motion or velocity is measured.
• Q21: Define Pitch Circle in Cam.
  Ans: Pitch circle is a circle drawn through the pitch point and used to calculate velocity ratios and cam dimensions.
• Q22: Define Pitch Curve in Cam.
  Ans: Pitch curve is the path traced by the follower’s center or the point of contact as the cam rotates.
• Q23: Define Prime Circle in Cam.
  Ans: Prime circle is the smallest circle drawn inside the cam profile, used as a reference for design.
• Q24: Define Lift or Stroke in Cam.
  Ans: Lift or stroke is the maximum displacement of the follower caused by the cam profile.
• Q25: What is Cam Profile Design?
  Ans: Cam profile design is the process of determining the shape and dimensions of a cam to produce the desired follower motion.