1.

The base circle is defined as the smallest circle which can be drawn tangent to the physical cam
surface. Prime circle is defined as the smallest circle which can be drawn tangent to the locus of the
centerline of the follower.
2. The pressure angle is the angle between the direction of motion (velocity) of the follower and the
direction of the axis of transmission. It is the complement of the transmission angle. The pressure angle
is a function of cam rotation angle.
3. We want to minimize the pressure angle. To avoid excessive side load on the sliding follower, the
pressure angle is kept low (between zero and about 30 for translating followers and less than 35 for
oscillating follower). Higher values may tend to jam a translating follower in its guides.
4. Eccentricity is defined as the perpendicular distance between the follower's axis of motion and the
center of the cam. It is fixed for the mechanism .It is a measure of alignment of the follower with
respect to the cam.
5. In the cases where the changes in pressure angles are large, pressure angle can be controlled using
different eccentricities like in the case of asymmetrical cam. Thus the force needed for the follower to
rise against spring force and frictional forces is reduced.
6. Pressure angle and radius of curvature helps to decide the geometry of the cam. Such a contour is
tried to be implemented, so that the cam has a low pressure angle for most part of the transmission.
Radius of curvature of the cam is always tried to be kept greater than the follower to have a smooth
motion.
7. A large number of sectors are drawn around the prime circle center and then the corresponding
displacements using the s curve are marked on each sector. These corresponds the contact points of the
follower at different angles of the cam motion. Points are connected to get the cam profile.
8. Eccentricity, base circle, profile circle are the parameters need to be considered in case of translating
roller follower.
9. It is similar to the way in which translating roller follower is made. A large number of sectors are
drawn around the prime circle center and then the corresponding displacements using the s curve are
marked. These corresponds the contact points of the follower at different angles of the cam motion.
Points are connected and from the obtained profile follower roller radius is subtracted to get cam
profile.