Motion adaptation of cam-follower systems by varying input speeds

Cam mechanisms are widely applied in automatic production machines. Variable cam speeds provide a flexible tool for adapting the follower motion to the working condition changes. The current study proposes the methods for generating the needed follower motion and adjusting to the required times of periods in the cam motion program. The Bezier function is used to express the cam speed trajectory, whose motion characteristics and boundary continuities are to be decided by the control points. An optimization design model for generating the required motion is then built to specify the control points of this trajectory. Also, the relations are developed that cope with connection continuities and period time managements among the motion periods of a complete cam rotation. Two design examples in component transferring and metal-sheet forming applications are given for illustrating the proposed design approaches.