Page 573 - Cam Design Handbook

THBAP 9/19/03 7:29 PM Page 561

APPENDIX D

CAM COMPUTER SOFTWARE

D.1 INTRODUCTION 561 Profiles 562
D.2 COMPUTER SOFTWARE LISTING 561 Chapter 12, Cam System Dynamics—
Chapter 5, Cam Motion Synthesis Using Analysis 563
Spline Functions 561 Chapter 13, Cam System Dynamics—
Chapter 6, Elements of Cam Profile Response 563
Geometry 561 Chapter 16, Automotive Camshaft
Chapter 7, Geometry of Planar Cam Dynamics 563

D.1 INTRODUCTION

The development and application of computer resources has significantly contributed to
the understanding of the cam-follower system complete design. The personal computer
with its appropriate software can create in either graphical or tabular form the cam profile
on the screen. With the graphics workstation the designer can study and optimize the
motion and geometry of the cam mechanism over an entire range of operating speeds. Net-
worked machine tools direct the geometric data from the CAD system to the manufactur-
ing of the actual cam. Much of the drudgery of compilation and the possibility of errors
are greatly reduced. Also, computer resources have made available more detailed model-
ing techniques for the dynamic analysis of cam-follower mechanisms. Cam shaft flexibil-
ity, follower friction and nonlinearities, oil-film effect, lubricant selection, effect of
contaminants, and life of functions parts are a few of the many factors of the computer
use for potential value.
Most manufacturers of industrial machinery have developed proprietary software pack-
ages for their specific needs. However, this section presents a short compilation of software
that is available commercially. The software choices listed are the most recent and popular.
It is the responsibility of the designer to investigate the application to a specific problem.
This section also lists the software for both general industrial applications and automobile
software packages available for automobile designers and racing car enthusiasts.

D.2 COMPUTER SOFTWARE LISTING

Chapter 5, Cam Motion Synthesis Using Spline Functions
Many software packages contain procedures for evaluating B-splines (de Boor, 1977,
and Foy, 1977).
de Boor, C. “Package for Calculating with B-Splines,” Siam Journal of Numerical
Analysis, 14 (3): 441–472, June 1977.
Foy, P. A., Ed., The Port Mathematical Subroutine Library, Bell Laboratories, Murray
Hill, N.J., 1977.

Chapter 6, Elements of Cam Profile Geometry
PARADE: pressure angle and radius of curvatures
CAMPA: cam pressure angle

561

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