Page 18 - Cam Design Handbook

THB1 8/15/03 2:42 PM Page 6

6 CAM DESIGN HANDBOOK

FIGURE 1.6. Various types commercial of cams. (Courtesy Commercial Cam Co., Inc., Wheeling, Ill.)

The most popular industrial production cams (Fig. 1.6) are:

• positive drive, radial groove cam
• radial conjugate dual cams
• cylindrical groove cam
The most popular automotive cams are spring loaded. Figure 1.7 shows automotive
camshafts. Let us discuss cams in terms of their shapes.
The translating, wedge, or flat-plate cam is one that moves back and forth driving a
follower. The follower may either translate or oscillate, with its position established by
the cam shape and location. This is the simplest of all cams. The follower is held in contact
by a spring or a positive-drive groove and roller. Figure 1.8 shows a translating cam with
a translating follower. Translating cams have been built as large as 15 feet long for turning
the outside profile on gun barrels for milling and profiling work.