Abstract
This research proposes a modified arrangement of the common translating follower disk cam mechanism in which an extraneous triple-arc-faced intermediate link was added between the cam and the translating follower. Two of the three arc faces on the intermediate link would be in contact with one set of profile of the disk cam, and the third one would be in contact with another. In order to justify the improvement could be made by replacing the common translating follower with the triple-arc-faced follower, studies involving kinematics, statics, dynamics and contact stress analysis of the common translating followers were conducted at first. Then an analytical approach for designing disk cam mechanism with a translating follower having an added dual-arc-faced intermediate link was proposed. Although there were two contact positions, the requirement for the return spring still caused high contact stresses on the cam system. Therefore, in comparison to the common translating roller follower, the contact stress could be reduced by 70.9% ~ 75.9% by using the dual-arc-faced follower; in comparison to the concaved face follower, the contact stress could be only reduced by 5.5% ~ 21.8%. In the end of this research, an analytical approach for designing groove cam mechanism and rib cam mechanism with a translating follower having an added triple-arc-faced intermediate link was proposed. The triple-arc-faced intermediate link was in contact with two set of cam profiles at three different positions. Therefore, forces acting on the machine elements could be dispersed by the three contact positions. Furthermore, due to the groove cam and rib cam design, there was no requirement for the return spring. As a result, by using the triple-arc-faced follower, the contact stress could be reduced by 81.5% ~ 86.9% in comparison to the common translating roller follower; 39.9% ~ 57.7% in comparison to the translating concaved face follower. Keywords: Triple-arc faces, groove, rib, cam-modulated linkage, cam profile, contact stress.