The size-minimization of planar cam mechanisms

Cam-size minimization is understood here as the process of selecting the geometric parameters of a camfollower mechanism of the smallest possible size, while observing constraints on performance indicators such as pressure angle, cam-profile radius of curvature, etc. In this paper, procedures for the optimization of planar cam mechanisms under pressure-angle constraints are proposed. The problem of cam-area minimization is reduced to solving a set of nonlinear equations. The proposed procedures are then illustrated with the design of quick-return mechanisms and with the synthesis of a cam mechanism to replace a complex transmission device. A graphic user interface (GUI), which allows the user to perform the optimization interactively, is also introduced. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.