Modeling profile and kinematic analysis of two circular-arc cams

Abstract

The paper presents a methodology for modeling profile of two circular-arc cams, which is based on the application of homogeneous coordinate transformation method. Analytical expressions that allow complete determining of all design parameters and coordinates of all the points of two circular-arc cams profile are defined. Also, analytical expressions for determining the kinematic performance such as displacement, velocity, acceleration and jerk are derived. The defined methodology is applied on concrete examples for which the analysis of the kinematic performance is also performed. Additionally, it is shown that a proper choice of the design parameters can significantly affect the improvement of the kinematic performance, especially the reduction of jerk as one of the most unfavorable occurrences in these mechanisms. The given methodology allows very efficient determination of all input data for parametric modeling and production of two circular-arc cams on numerical machines. This approach allows the fulfillment of one of the most important requirements of modern production-reduction of time necessary for design and manufacturing which causes reduction of costs. © 2012 Springer-Verlag London Limited.