Exact Response Analysis and Dynamic Design of Cam-Follower Systems Using Laplace Transforms

Abstract

This article presents Laplace transforms utilizing methods to determine response of follower systems to motions machined on cams. The exact response of a follower system at any cycle, at any time, or in any time zone is directly determined without the need for numerical integrations. The method permits the study of response for many cycles to determine beat effect, the critical cam speeds, and possible follower jump conditions. Cam profile is corrected to eliminate static error and oscillate follower about exact position. Disk cams with translating roller followers with one and two degrees of freedom are considered in the article. Numerical illustrations are included, where results by other numerical methods (matrix exponential and phase plane-6) are compared.