Analysis and Simulation of Cam Follower Mechanism Using Polynomial Cam Profile
Pages : 211-215Download PDF
The cam follower mechanism is versatile and almost any arbitrarily-specified motion can be achieved. The use of algebraic polynomials to specify the follower motion is a new choice for cam profiles. This class of motion function is highly versatile especially in high speed automobiles. In the present work, kinematic and dynamic analyses of cam follower mechanism with polynomial cam profiles are carried out. The kinematic analysis presents follower displacement, velocity, and acceleration driven by a cam rotating at a uniform angular velocity. Dynamic analysis presents static and inertial forces developed in the mechanism. A 2-3 polynomial cam profile shows discontinuous follower acceleration at the ends of the stroke making it unsuitable at higher speeds. A 3-4-5 polynomial cam profile has an extended control as it provides a zero acceleration at the end points and no control over the follower jerks at end points. The modelling and simulation of a cam follower mechanism is performed on SolidWorks and results are presented for various cam speeds. The simulation results show substantially lower values of follower velocity and acceleration for 3-4-5 polynomial cam profile; hence, it is versatile and most suitable at higher speeds without much modifications.
Keywords: Cam follower mechanism, kinematic analysis, dynamic analysis, polynomial cam profile, simulation