| This thesis presents a method for the design of flexible cam mechanisms. The method considers a disc cam with reciprocating roller follower. The objective is to determine the optimum cam geometry with minimum volume considering constraints on the geometry, pressure angle and contact stresses.;First the cam and follower mechanism is modeled as a rigid system. The cam geometry and return spring specifications are calculated ensuring the satisfactory operation of the mechanism and minimizing the maximum value of the contact force and the cam volume.;Then the cam-follower mechanism is idealized as a discrete system with one torsional and three translational degrees of freedom. The dynamic behavior of this flexible cam system is calculated by using the optimum values of parameters obtained in the first step. The optimization of the cam volume is carried out now once again for the flexible model considering the actual response of the system.;The sensitivity of the dynamic response of the cam-follower mechanism to all system parameters is also investigated. |
