TABLE OF CONTENTS Once the cam follower motion functions have been defined, the follower train's dynamic behavior modeled, its stresses computed, and the design deemed satisfactory on all counts, the next step is to create the cam profile for manufacture. The procedure used for this depends on the geometry of the cam follower. A roller follower requires a different approach than does a flat-faced follower. Manufacturing issues such as the cutter or grinder diameter may require the calculation of a so-called cutter-compensation path. The type of machine to be used may also influence the choice of profile definition in either polar or Cartesian coordinates. This chapter addresses the procedures for determining the geometry of the cam envelope, as defined either at the centerline of a roller follower or on the surface of the cam for a flat-faced follower. Manufacturing issues will be discussed in the next chapter.
Other factors that affect the geometry of the cam contour are the type of cam, either radial or barrel, the motion of the follower, either translating or rotating, and the presence of a linkage in the follower train. The designed kinematic/dynamic motion of the follower should ideally be imparted to the end effector of the follower train. If there is a multibar linkage between the cam and end effector, then its geometry should be taken into account. Note that, if properly done, the dynamic modeling of the follower train should have taken the dynamic characteristics (mass, compliance) of any follower linkage into account as...
