Nature of Motion in Cam-Roller Follower System

Cam-roller follower system is widely used in various machines to convert the rotary motion of the cam into linear motion of the follower. The nature of motion in this system is determined by the shape of the cam profile. Different cam profiles produce different types of motion in the follower. The four common types of motion in cam-roller follower system are uniform, simple harmonic, parabolic, and cycloidal. Among these, the motion that leads to the lowest jerk is simple harmonic motion.

Explanation

Jerk is the rate of change of acceleration with respect to time. It is a measure of how quickly the velocity and acceleration of an object change. A high jerk value indicates that the motion is jerky or abrupt, while a low jerk value indicates that the motion is smooth and gradual. In the cam-roller follower system, the jerk can be reduced by selecting a cam profile that produces a smooth and gradual motion in the follower.

Simple harmonic motion is a type of motion in which the displacement of the follower is proportional to the sine of the angle of rotation of the cam. It is a smooth and periodic motion that is widely used in various machines. The cam profile that produces simple harmonic motion is called a harmonic cam. It has a smooth curve that resembles a sine wave. The roller follower moves up and down in a smooth and gradual manner, resulting in a low jerk value.

On the other hand, a cam profile that produces a parabolic or cycloidal motion in the follower will have a high jerk value. Parabolic and cycloidal motions are non-linear and have abrupt changes in velocity and acceleration, resulting in a jerky motion. Therefore, the simple harmonic motion is preferred in the cam-roller follower system as it leads to the lowest jerk and produces a smooth and gradual motion in the follower.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the nature of motion in the cam-roller follower system is determined by the shape of the cam profile. The cam profile that produces simple harmonic motion leads to the lowest jerk and produces a smooth and gradual motion in the follower. This type of motion is preferred in various machines to reduce the wear and tear of the components and improve the overall performance of the machine.