Plate cam or radial cam: The follower moves in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the

camshaft. A translating or a swing arm follower must be constrained to maintain contact with the
cam profile.
Grooved cam or closed cam: This is a plate cam with the follower riding in a groove in the face of
the cam.
Cylindrical cam or barrel cam: The roller follower operates in a groove cut on the periphery of a
cylinder. The follower may translate or oscillate. If the cylindrical surface is replaced by a conical
one, a conical cam results.
End cam: This cam has a rotating portion of a cylinder. The follower translates or oscillates, whereas
the cam usually rotates. The end cam is rarely used because of the cost and the difficulty in cutting
its contour.

Cam Profile: The outer surface of the disc cam.

Base Circle: The circle with the shortest radius from the cam center to any part of the cam profile.
Trace Point: It is a point on the follower, and its motion describes the movement of the follower. It
is used to generate the pitch curve.
Prime Circle: The smallest circle from the cam center through the pitch curve.
Pitch Curve: The path generated by the trace point as the follower is rotated about a stationery
cam. Prime Circle: The smallest circle from the cam center through the pitch curve.
Pitch Circle: A circle drawn from the cam center and passes through the pitch point is called Pitch
circle.
Stroke: The greatest distance or angle through which the follower moves or rotates.
Pressure Angle: It is the angle between direction of the follower motion and normal to pitch curve.
This angle is very important in designing a cam profile.