ABSTRACT
This chapter explains purposes and functions of radial cam systems and follower types, components of follower motion and follower motion types, and radial cam follower kinematics. It discusses criteria for optimal radial cam operation and its relationship with follower motion types, radial cam design, and criteria for optimal radial cam operation and its relationship with radial cam system design equations. A disk cam is a mechanical component used to convert rotary motion into oscillating rotary or translation motion. Determining the follower displacement, velocity, and acceleration is necessary in cam design. The chapter evaluates different types of follower motion with respect to the cam design conditions of continuous displacement, velocity, and acceleration profiles and a finite jerk profile. The actual shape of a disk cam is designed from the follower displacement profile. The primary advantage of polynomial-based follower motion functions is that boundary conditions for follower displacement, velocity, acceleration, and jerk can be prescribed.
