Plate Cam Mechanism with Reciprocating Roller Follower:

A plate cam mechanism with a reciprocating roller follower is a mechanical system that converts the rotary motion of a cam into the reciprocating motion of a follower. The follower is a roller that moves along the surface of the cam, and its motion is determined by the shape of the cam profile.

Constant Acceleration in Parabolic Motion:

In the case of a plate cam mechanism with a reciprocating roller follower, the follower has a constant acceleration in the case of parabolic motion. Parabolic motion is a type of motion that follows a parabolic path, which is a curve shaped like a U.

Explanation:

When the follower moves along the surface of the cam, it experiences different accelerations at different points in its motion. The acceleration of the follower is determined by the curvature of the cam profile at the point where the follower is located.

In the case of parabolic motion, the cam profile has a parabolic shape, which means that the curvature of the cam profile is constant at every point along the path of the follower. This results in a constant acceleration for the follower throughout its motion.

Other Types of Motion:

In contrast, other types of cam profiles can result in different types of motion for the follower. For example, a cycloidal cam profile can result in cycloidal motion, which is a type of motion that follows a cycloidal path. Similarly, a simple harmonic cam profile can result in simple harmonic motion, which is a type of motion that follows a sinusoidal path.

Conclusion:

In summary, the type of motion experienced by the follower in a plate cam mechanism with a reciprocating roller follower is determined by the shape of the cam profile. In the case of parabolic motion, the follower has a constant acceleration throughout its motion.

Constant acceleration of cam also tells the dependence on the square of displacement which is parabolic in function