ME 114 Engineering Drawing II

CAM DRAWING

Mechanical Engineering
University of Gaziantep

Dr. Ouzhan Ylmaz

Assoc.Prof.

Introduction
A cam is a mechanical device with a surface or groove
that controls the motion of a second part called a follower
in order to convert rotary motion to linear motion (Fig. 1).

Figure 1

The follower, held against the cam by a spring or by gravity,

can be knife, roller, mushroom or flat-faced type (Fig. 2).
Type of follower, timing and manner of movement to be
created by the cam are the main elements in designing cams.

Figure 2

Cam Types
Radial cam: The follower is raised and lowered as the cam revolves (Fig. 3).
Figure 3

Face cam: The follower at the end of an arm oscillates as the

cam revolves (Fig. 4).
Toe (Follower) and Wiper: The cam itself oscillates (Fig. 5).

Positive-Motion Cam (Yoke): The enclosed follower makes

possible the application of force in both directions (Fig. 6).
Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Cylindrical Groove and End Cams: The follower

moves parallel to the cam axis (Fig. 7). Force is
applied to follower in both directions in groove cam
(left) and in only one direction in end cam (right).
Figure 7

Types of Cam Motion

Cams are designed to move the follower with a
constant velocity, constant acceleration /
deceleration or harmonic motion (from top to
bottom in Fig. 8). In most cases, the combined
motion of follower with rise or fall, or stationary
(dwell) make up the complete cam surface.

Rise (180)

Fall (180)
6' 6''

Total Displacement

5'

4'

4''

3'

3''

2'

R
1

In studying the follower motion, a diagram

showing the height of the follower for successive
cam positions is frequently employed. These
diagrams are usually made to actual size.

5''

2''

1'

1''

30

60

90

120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

Rise
Fall=(180)
One(180)
Complete Revolution (Cycle) of Cam
360
0
0
1
1''
1'''
1

2''

2'''

9
3' 3''

3''' 3''''

9
2'

The cam position is shown on the abscissa where

one complete rotation (i.e. 360) of the cam is
divided into equally-spaced intervals, which
are generally 30 although the intermediate
points can also be used. The follower positions
are shown on the ordinate divided into the same
number of intervals as the abscissa.

1'
1

2''''

1''''

30

60

0
120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

90

One(180)
Complete Revolution (Cycle) of Cam
360
Rise
Fall=(180)
6' 6''

5'

5''

4'

3''

3'

4''

2'

2''

1'

1
0

30

1''
60

90

120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

One Complete Revolution (Cycle) of Cam = 360

Figure 8

Constant Velocity
Constant velocity gives a uniform rise and fall as plotted in Fig. 9.
The diagram is constructed by plotting the cam positions on the abscissa, measuring
the total follower movement on the ordinate and dividing it into the same number of
points as the abscissa.
As the cam moves one unit of its rotation, the follower likewise moves one unit which
produces the straight line of motion.
Rise (180)
6' 6''

6
5

5'

constant velocity

modified constant velocity

Total Displacement

The starting and end sections

of the profile are rounded by
fillets of radius which equals
to of total displacement.
This is done due to the
reason that the cam surface
should have smooth transition
during the movement. This
type of motion is called
modified constant velocity.

Fall (180)

5''

4'

4''

3'

3''

2'

R
1

2''

1'

30

1''

60

90

120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

One Complete Revolution (Cycle) of Cam = 360

Figure 9

Constant Acceleration / Deceleration

With constant acceleration or deceleration, the distance travelled is proportional
to the square of the time (i.e. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, etc.) where the increments of follower
distance are made proportional to 1, 3, 5, 7, etc. as shown in Fig. 10.
Using a scale, the rise of follower is divided into the same number of intervals as
the abscissa, making the first part movement as one unit movement, the second
part as three units, and so on.
The points at the intersection of the coordinate lines are then plotted to obtain the
curve which accelerates and then decelerates when rising and falling.
Rise (180)

Fall (180)
0

0
0

1''
1

2''

1'''

4
2'''

9
3' 3''

3''' 3''''

uniform deceleration

9
2'

2''''

1'
1

30

uniform accceleration
60

90

1''''

0
120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

One Complete Revolution (Cycle) of Cam = 360

Figure 10
5

Harmonic Motion
Harmonic motion (sine curve) can be plotted as in Fig. 11 by measuring the rise,
drawing a semicircle, dividing it into the same number of intervals as the abscissa,
and projecting the points on the semicircle as ordinate lines.
Points are plotted at the intersection of the coordinate lines.
The swinging action of a mass at the end of a pendulum is a good example of
harmonic motion.
Rise (180)
5

Fall (180)
6' 6''

6
5'

4'

3'

2'

5''
4''

3''

2''

1'

1
0

30

1''
60

90

120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

One Complete Revolution (Cycle) of Cam = 360

Figure 11
6

Drawing a Cam Profile with Combined Motions

Lets draw a complete drawing of a cam having the following specifications
(The cam is rotating in CCW direction and a roller follower is used)
Base Circle Dia. = 40 mm
Hub Dia. = 20 mm
Shaft Dia. = 10 mm
Plate Thickness = 12 mm
Hub Thickness = 20 mm
Key Way = 2 x 2 mm
Follower Dia. = 6 mm

0 - 60 Rise of 12 mm with uniform velocity

60 - 90 Dwell
90 - 180 Rise of 24 mm with harmonic motion
180 - 210 Dwell
at 210 Sudden fall of 12 mm
210 - 240 Dwell
240 - 360 Fall of 24 mm with uniform acceleration

The Displacement Diagram

The displacement diagram for given cam specifications is shown below.

The circumference is divided into intervals of 30, and the profile of each motion between
specified intervals are plotted. Note that the intervals for harmonic motion are defined as 15.
Then, the intersection points between abscissa and ordinate (shown as A, B, C, etc.) are
connected in order to obtain the complete cam profile.

J
H
G

12

2'

E
D

6''

4''

Cam Profile
N

3''

1'''

2'''

2''

1''

24

24

5''

Figure 12

12

3'''

Base Circle

1'

4'''

60

uniform velocity

dwell

90

180
harmonic motion

210

dwell

16

360

240

dwell

uniform acceleration

Circumference = PI * (Base Circle Dia.)

The Cam Drawing

The complete cam drawing is obtained based on the displacement diagram. The ordinate of
each point on displacement diagram is measured and added onto the base circle with a radius
of follower (see the distance of M + follower radius).
Then, the follower circle is plotted having a center point as the end of each ordinate. Note that
the order of placing the points A, B, C, etc. is in CW direction (i.e. the reverse of cam rotation).
hub thickness

After that, the center of

each follower circle is
connected by smoothed
curve to obtain follower
path. This curve is shifted
(i.e. offsetted) towards
the base circle by the
value of radius of follower
in order to obtain the
complete cam surface.
The sectional side view is
also required to show the
plate and hub thickness.

plate thickness

Cam Surface
D

C
Key Way

Follower Path
H

Shaft
A
S

fol

low
er

rad
ius

Hub
Base Circle
Q

ion
Rotat
Cam
)
(CCW
P

Figure 13
9

A Case Study Sheet

6

J
H

Shaft Dia. = 10 mm

12

Plate Thickness = 12 mm

Hub Thickness = 20 mm

2'

6''

4''

Cam Profile
N

3''

1'''

2'''

2''

1''

3'''

Base Circle

1'

Key Way = 2 x 2 mm

1
4

24

24

Hub Dia. = 20 mm

K
5''

12

Base Circle Dia. = 40 mm

4'''

60

uniform velocity

90

dwell

Follower Type = Roller

180
harmonic motion

210

dwell

dwell

S
360

240

16

hub thickness

uniform acceleration

plate thickness

Circumference = PI * (Base Circle Dia.)

Follower Dia. = 6 mm
Cam Surface

Cam Rotation = CCW

C
Key Way

0 - 60 Rise = 12 mm
(uniform velocity)

Shaft

60 - 90 Dwell
A
S

90 - 180 Rise = 24 mm

(harmonic motion)
180 - 210 Dwell
at 210 Sudden fall = 12 mm
210 - 240 Dwell
240 - 360 Fall = 24 mm

(uniform acceleration)

Follower Path

fol

low
er

rad
ius

Hub
Base Circle
Q

ion
Rotat
Cam
)
(CCW

10

Timing Diagrams
When two or more cams are used on the same machine and their functions are
dependent on each other (as in Fig. 14), the 'timing" and relative motions of each
cam can be studied by means of a diagram showing each follower curve.
The curves can be superimposed, but it is better to place them as in Fig. 15.

Figure 14

Figure 15

11