Cam followers are bearings used in cam and follower systems to replicate specific motion. They work on a simple principle and have different head designs and types, each supporting different amounts of force and speeds. Cam followers are used in a wide variety of devices, including motor vehicles.
A cam follower is a type of bearing typically used to replicate a specific motion. In a cam and follower system, the cam is a mechanical element often in the form of a flat piece of metal machined into an oblong shape that rotates or slides. The follower travels along the surface of the cam, following the shape from its edge and translating that shape into a pattern of motion. The cam follower works on a very simple principle and can be applied to a large number of tasks, because although it is basic, it is also very versatile. Cam drive systems are used in a wide variety of devices, including motor vehicles, moving lawn ornaments, and pumping devices.
Cam system modules and followers
These systems usually take the form of a rotating rod which turns the cam or cams and cam followers mounted nearby. Where, exactly, the cam follower is mounted and what type of follower is used depends on the purpose of the system and there are many different configurations available. The follower must be kept in smooth and even contact with the cam, whether by gravity, a spring, spline, or other stabilizing method, or it will not be able to translate motion effectively. Without a stabilizing force on the follower system, the follower may have a tendency to wobble or shake, potentially causing the device being moved by the follower to malfunction and wear it out more quickly.
Models of followers and cams
Cam followers also have different head designs. A follower with a pointed head will more accurately maintain and replicate the movement of the cam, but is also more likely to wear out quicker and require replacement. Followers with wider heads don’t wear out easily, but some accuracy is typically sacrificed. In other applications, the head may have a roller, rather than being flat or pointed, to allow for smoother movement.
There are several types of cam followers, each of which can support different amounts of force and speeds applied by the cam. One of the more common types is the needle roller, which contains long, sometimes pointed bearings; these anti-friction elements inside the follower allow it to move easily and to support heavier loads. Another type, the caged roller, is similar, but the needles are separated by a cage; this allows for more lubrication and higher speed operation, but cannot support as high a load.
One of the main differences between Followers is how they are connected to your device. Pivot followers include a built-in standard or heavy-duty threaded rod and can typically be assembled quickly and easily. The integrated pivot may be convenient, but its strength is limited by the load it can support. A yolk-style follower has a hole in the middle; it is less convenient to mount, but a stronger pin can be used.
Most cams are made in simple shapes designed to create basic movements: the more complex the shape of the cam, the harder the follower has to work to translate it. Many cam follower systems take the shape of a teardrop or have a single jagged insert to create a specific movement. Follower systems used on cars to control pistons, for example, usually have a teardrop shape that causes a sharp upward movement, or displacement, such as the
follower reaches the apex of the teardrop, causing the attached piston to fire.
it is used
While cam and follower systems are used in a wide variety of mechanical applications, they may be more familiar to many people from their role in automobiles and other motor vehicles. There are multiple cam follower systems in motor vehicles, one for each cylinder, and they are offset so that all pistons do not fire at the same time. Multiple systems can all be fitted to one camshaft, making the most of the energy used to rotate the shaft, rather than dedicating energy to each piston individually. In this case, damage to a cam could cause the engine to misfire.
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