CAM Follower-II

Terminology of Radial Cam

Base Circle

It is the smallest circle tangent to the cam profile drawn from the centre of rotation of the radial cam. The base circle decides the overall size of the cam and thus is fundamental feature.

Trace Point

The points on the follower which is required to trace the cam profile is known as trace point. For a roller follower, the trace point is at the roller centre.

Pitch Curve

The curve traced by trace point is known as pitch curve. It is parallel to the cam profile.

Prime Circle

It is the smallest circle that can be drawn so as to be tangential to the pitch curve, with its centre at the cam centre.

Pressure Angle

The angle between the direction of the follower movement and the normal to the pitch curve at any point is called pressure angle. It represents the steepness of the cam profile. Higher the pressure angle higher is side thrust and higher the chances of jamming the translating follower in its guide ways.

Pitch Point

It is the point on pitch curve at which pressure angle is maximum.

Lift (or) stroke

It is the maximum travel of the follower from its lowest position to the topmost position.

Follower Displacement Diagram

Angle of Ascent

It is the angle through which the cam turns during the time the follower rises.

Angle of Dwell

It is the angle through which the cam turns while the follower remains stationary at the highest or the lowest position.

Angle of Descent

It is the angle through which the cam turns while follower returns to the initial position.

Angle of Action

It is the total angle moved by the cam during the time between the beginning of rise and the end of return of the follower.

Force Exerted by Cam

The force exerted by a cam on the follower is always normal to the surface of the cam at the point of contact. The vertical component (F cosα) lifts the follower whereas the horizontal component(F sinα) exerts lateral pressure on the bearing. To reduce the lateral pressure, α has to be decreased which means making the cam surface more convex or longer but that reduces the velocity of follower. The minimum value of α can not be reduced from a certain value.

Kinematics:

Let's say s is the displacement of the follower and θ is cam angle.

Velocity of the follower = \( \dot s = \frac{ds}{dt} = w\frac{ds}{dθ}\)

Where $\frac{ds}{dθ}$ represents the slope or the steepness of the displacement curve at each position of cam angle.

Acceleration of the follower = \( \ddot s = \frac{d^2 s}{dt^2} = w^2\frac{d^2s}{dθ^2}\)

• Higher value of acceleration means a higher inertia force.
• The value of $\frac{d^2s}{dθ^2}$ is inversely proportional to the radius of curvature of the cam at different points along its profile. 

Third derivative is known as 'Jerk' and higher values of jerk are undesirable.

\[Jerk = \dddot s = = \frac{d^3 s}{dt^3} = w^3\frac{d^3s}{dθ^3}\]

***

If you have any query regarding this article, ask in comments.

Reference:

1. Theory of Machines By SS Rattan

CAM Follower-I

• A Cam is mechanical member used to impart desired motion to a follower by direct contact.
• Cam- follower mechanism belong to higher pair mechanism.
• It is used in automated machines, IC engines, machine tools, printing control mechanisms, textile weaving industries etc.
• A driver member is known as cam.
• A driven member is known as follower.
• A frame is one which supports the cam and guides the follower.

Classification of cams

1. According to Shape

1.1 Wedge and Flat Cams

A wedge cam has a translational motion and follower can either translate or oscillate.

1.2 Radial or Disc Cams

A cam in which the follower moves radially from the centre of rotation of the cam is known as radial or disc or plate cam.

1.3 Cylindrical Cams

A cylinder has a circumferential contour cut in the surface and the cam rotates about its axis. The follower motion is either oscillating or reciprocating type. These cams are also called drum or barrel cams.

1.4 Spiral Cam

A spiral cam is face cam in which a groove is cut in the form of a spiral. It is used in computers.

1.5 Globoidal Cams

It has two types of surface i.e. convex and concave. It is used when moderate speed and angle of oscillation of the follower is large.

Classification of Follower

1. According to shape

1.1 Knife edge follower

The contacting end of the follower has a sharp knife edge. Its use is limited as it produces excessive wear of the contacting surface.

1.2 Roller Follower

It consists of a cylindrical roller which rolls on cam surface. At low speeds, the follower has pure rolling but at high speeds some sliding also occurs. The roller followers are extensively used where more space is available such as gas and oil engines.

1.3 Flat face follower

The follower face is perfectly flat. It experiences a side thrust due to the friction between contact surfaces of follower and cam.

1.4 Spherical face follower

The contacting end of the follower is of spherical shape which overcomes the drawback of side thrust as experiences by flat face follower.

2. According to Movement

2.1 Reciprocating Follower

In this type, as cam rotates the follower reciprocates or translate in the guides.

2.2 Oscillating Follower

The follower is pivoted at a suitable point on frame and the rotary motion of cam is converted into predetermined oscillatory motion of the follower.

3. According to location of line of movement

3.1 Radial Follower

The follower is known as a radial follower as a radial follower if the line of movement of the follower passes through the centre of the rotating of the cam.

3.2 Offset Follower

If line of movement of the follower is offset from the center of the cam shaft, the follower is known as offset follower.

PART-2

***

If you have any query regarding this article, ask in comments.

Unconventional or Nontraditional Machining - III

Ultrasonic Machining (USM)

• In ultrasonic machining, a tool which is negative of desired shape, vibrates at low amplitude (0.013 to 0.08 mm) and ultrasonic frequency (about 20 kHz) in an abrasive grit slurry at the workpiece surface.

• The tool is gradually moved down maintaining a constant gap between the tool and workpiece surface.

• As the tool vibrates over the workpiece, the abrasive particles act as the indenters and indent both the work material and the tool. The abrasive particles, as they indent, the work material, would remove the same, particularly if the work material is brittle, due to crack initiation, propagation and brittle fracture of the material. 

At full indentation, the indentation depth 'h' and assuming brittle fracture takes place leading to hemi-spherical fracture of diameter ‘D’ under the contact zone.

Volume removed by the single grain is

\[V = \frac{2 \pi}{3}(\frac{D}{2})^3\]

\[D \approx \sqrt{dh}\]

\[V = \frac{2 \pi}{3}(dh)^{3/2}\]

 If number of particles impacting per cycle is n, frequency of operation f and efficiency is η then Material Removal Rate can be expressed as:

\[MRR = η V Zf = η \frac{2 \pi}{3}(dh)^{3/2} nf\]

Applications: USM is best suited for hard, brittle materials, such as ceramics, carbides, glass, precious stones, and hardened steels.

Water Jet Machining (WJM)

WJM works by forcing a large volume of water through a small orifice in the nozzle, at high pressure and velocity against work surface. 

This jet of water erodes the surface of workpiece. 

Applications: Mostly used to cut lower strength materials such as wood, plastics, rubber, paper, leather, composite, etc. 

>Good for materials that cannot withstand high temperatures.

Abrasive Water-Jet Machining (AWJM)

The water jet also contains abrasive particles such as SiC, hence material removal rate is higher than WJM.

Abrasive Jet Machining (AJM)

A high-velocity jet of gas containing abrasive particles is directed at the workpiece surface under controlled conditions. It removes material through the eroding action of a high velocity stream of abrasive-laden gas. Abrasive particles are generally of Al2O3, SiC with particle size 10 to 50 µm. The gas supply pressure is in order of 7 atm and the jet velocity about 300 m/s. It is used to cut materials which are hard to cut, e.g., composites, ceramics, glass.

General Observations

• ECM has the highest material removal rate (MRR).
• EDM has the lowest specific power requirement.
• USM and AJM have low MRR and combined with high tool wear, are used for non-metal cutting.
• LBM and EBM have high penetration rates with low MRR and, therefore, are commonly used for micro drilling, sheet cutting, and welding. 

[1] [2] [3]

Unconventional or Nontraditional Machining - II

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)

EDM is a thermal erosion process whereby material is melted and vaporized from an electrically conducive workpiece immersed in a liquid dielectric with a series of spark discharges between the tool electrode and the workpiece created by a power supply. Positive terminal erodes faster so workpiece is made of anode.

EDM Tool is also erodes due to spark hence it should have low erosion rate or good work to tool wear ratio. Other properties of EDM tool is electrically conductive, high melting point, and have good machinability. The usual choice of tool material are Cu, brass, Tungsten alloy, hardened plain carbon steel, copper graphite, and graphite.

For optimum machining efficiency, this gap between tool and work should be maintained constant. This is done by servo- mechanism which controls the movement of the electrode.

The dielectric fluid

1. acts as an insulator until the potential is sufficiently high,
2. acts as a flushing medium,
3. and provides a cooling medium.

• The voltage across the gab at any time t, $V = V_o (1-e^{-\frac{t}{RC}})$
• Time constant, $\tau = RC$
• Charging time, $t_c = RC ln(\frac{V_o}{V_o - V_d})$
• Discharge Voltage, $V_d = V_o(1-e^{-\frac{t_c}{RC}})$
• Energy Released per spark, $E = \frac{CV_d^2}{2}$
• Average power, $P = \frac{E}{t_c}$

Applications: Widely used in aerospace, mold making, and die casting to produce die cavities, small deep holes, narrow slots, turbine blades, and intricate shapes

Wire EDM

It is a special form of EDM wherein the electrode is a continuously moving conductive wire. A thin wire of brass, tungsten, or copper is used as an electrode. Deionized water is used as the dielectric.

Material removal rate MRR = V*h*b   $mm^3/min$

where, $b = d_w + 2s$                                        

$d_w$ : Wire diameter in mm                              

s: gap between wire and workpiece in mm          

V: feed rate of wire into the workpiece (mm/min)

h : workpiece thickness or height in mm             

Advantages: This process is much faster than EDM. Geometrically accurate but moderately finished straight toothed metallic spur gears, both external and internal type, can be produced by wire type Electro discharge Machining (EDM).

Laser beam Machining (LBM)

Schematic of LBM Device

• Laser beam machines can be used for cutting, surface hardening, welding, drilling, blanking, engraving and trimming.
• Workpiece need not be conductive.
• It is used to drill micro holes. 
• Used to produce cooling holes in blades/vanes for jet engines
• It is costly method and used only when it is not feasible to machine with other processes.

Electron-Beam Machining (EBM)

• The setup consist of electron gun, a high DC power source, electromagnetic focusing lens and deflecting coils.
• It uses a very high velocity beam of electrons.
• Workpiece placed in vacuum chamber to minimize electron collision with air molecules.
• Material melts and vaporizes due to electron beam energy.
• Used for drilling very fine holes, cutting, contours and very nerrow slots.

Plasma Arc Machining (PAM)

• Plasma is a stream of high temperature ionized gas that cuts by melting and removing material from the workpiece.
• Power requirements depend on material being cut, plus depth of cut.
• Cutting operation with plasma is frequently performed by means of CNC (computer numeric control) cutting machines.
• Recast layer is deeper than with other processes.

[1] [2] [3]

Unconventional or Nontraditional Machining

These are known as non-traditional/unconventional method because compared to conventional method there is no contact between tool and workpiece, specific power consumption is very large, MRR is low and used in situations where traditional/conventional machining processes are unsatisfactory or uneconomical:

• Workpiece is too hard, ot tough.
• Workpiece is too flexible to resist cutting forces or too difficult to clamp
• Part shape is very complex with internal or external profiles or small holes
• Requirements for surface finish and tolerances are very high

Classification Based on Energy Source

1. Electro-Chemical Processes

• Electro-Chemical Machining (ECM) 
• Electro-Chemical grinding (ECG) 
• Electro-Chemical Honing (ECH) 
• Electro-Chemical Deburring (ECD)

2. Chemical Processes

• Chemical Machining Method (CHM)
• Photochemical Machining (PCM)

3. Electro-Thermal Processes

• Electrical discharge machining (EDM)
• Laser beam Machining (LBM) 
• Plasma Arc Machining (PAM) 
• Electron Beam Machining(EBM) 
• Ion Beam Machining (IBM)

4. Mechanical Processes

• Ultra Sonic Machining (USM) 
• Abrasive Jet Machining (AJM) 
• Water Jet Machining (WJM)

Electro-Chemical Machining (ECM)

The work-piece is made the anode, which is placed in close proximity to an electrode (cathode), and a high-amperage direct current is passed between them through an electrolyte, such as salt water, flowing in the anode-cathode gap.

The tool is fed with constant velocity towards the workpiece and the electrolyte pumped at high pressure through the small gap between the tool and work.

The mechanism of material removal is anodic dissolution.

The electrolyte is so chosen that the anode (workpiece) is dissolved but no deposition takes place on the tool.

Properties of electrolyte:

• High electrical and thermal conductivity 
• Low viscosity
• High specific heat
• Non corrosive and notoxic
• Chemically stable

Material Removal Rate is given by Faraday's law:

\[\boxed{MRR = \frac{AI}{\rho Z F} = \frac{EI}{\rho F}} cm^3/s\]

where, A : gram atomic weight of workpiece (anode)

E = A/Z : equivalence weight

Z : Valency

I : Current (amp.)

$\rho$ : density of workpiece ($g/cm^3$)

F: Faraday's constant = 96500 columbs

Electro-Chemical grinding (ECG)

• The tool as electrode is rotating, metal bonded, diamond grit grinding wheel and workpiece as anode.
• As the current flows the surface metal is changed to oxide film and this oxide film is removed.
• The abrasive particles are non-conductive material such as aluminum oxide, diamond and borazon (BCN).  

Applications:

• Shaping and sharpening carbide cutting tool
• Fragile parts (honeycomb structures), surgical needles, and tips of assembled turbine blades have been ECG-processed successfully.

Chemical Machining Method (CHM)

• Chemical machining is basically an etching process, it is the oldest nontraditional machining process.
• Material is removed from by chemical dissolution using chemical reagents, or etchants, such as acids and alkaline solutions.
• The workpiece is immersed in a bath containing an etchant. Special coating called maskant protects area from which area is not to be removed.
• Cutting speed (0.0025-0.1 mm/min) is very slow.

Photochemical Machining (PCM)

• This process is also known as photochemical milling or photo etching, is a photo chemical blanking.
• Coat both sides of the plate with photoresist which is a polymer that adheres to the metal when exposed to UV light. 
• Spray metal with etchant or dip it in hot acidic solution to etch all material other than part covered with photoresist.
• This process is burr free and high precision.

[1] [2] [3]

Machining Processes

Machining is the process of removing unwanted material from the workpiece.

Cutting Processes

• Single Point : shaping, planing, turning, boring etc.
• Multipoint : milling, drilling etc.

Abrasive Processes : Grinding, Honing etc.

Chip Formation

1. Continuous Chip

• Occurs at high speed machining of ductile materials
• Desirable as it gives excellent surface finish
• Chip become too long, chip breaking mechanism required.

2. Continuous Chip with BUE

• Built Up edge -  BUE
• The material gets welded onto the tip due to the high compression and diffusion at the nascent surface.
• If it could remain there steadily, it would enhance tool life; but unfortunately it breaks regularly after reaching a critical size. When it breaks, it may at times uproot a part of the tool surface
• It is least desirable as it ruins surface finish and often decreases tool life.

3. Discontinuous Chip

• Occurs in Brittle material
• Desirable as it gives good surface finish
• No need of chip breaking

Continuous Chip	Continuous Chip with BUE	Discontinuous Chip
Ductile Workpiece	Ductile Workpiece	Brittle Workpiece
High Speed	Low Speed	Lower Speed
Larger Rake angle		Smaller Rake angle
Low feed	High feed	High feed
High Tool Life	Low Tool Life	High Tool Life
Good Finish	Poor Finish	Good Finish

Shaping and Planing

• In shaping, the cutting tool is given reciprocal motion and the workpiece is fed at right angle to the cutting motion between successive strikes of tool.
• Whereas in planing, the work is provided with motion and feed is given to the tool.
• The tool reciprocates over the work with forward stroke, cutting velocity V and a quick return stroke at velocity Vr is known quick return mechanism. 

\[m = \frac{forward \quad velocity}{return \quad velocity} = \frac{V}{Vr} = \frac{return \quad time}{cutting \quad time}\] 

• Number of stroke, $N = \frac{w}{f}$
• Time of one stroke, $t = \frac{L(1+m)}{V_{avg}}$ 
• Total time T = N*t
• Material Removal rate, MRR = Vavg *f*d  
• Cutting Power, $P_c = u_c * MRR$

Turning

• Average Cutting Speed, $V_{avg} = \pi D_{avg} N$
• Material Removal Rate, $MRR = V{avg} * d*f$
• Cutting Power, $P_c = u_c * MRR$
• Cutting time, $t = \frac{L}{fN}$

where, N : rpm, L is length of cut, f is feed, d is depth of cut.

Grinding

Grinding is most common form of abrasive machining, used to get desired surface finish, accurate size and shape of product.

Cutting Action of Abrasive grains

Grinding wheel consist of abrasive particles known as grit, bonding material and voids. These grits are characterized by high hot hardness, chemical stability and wear resistance, acts like cutting tool tip.

• High negative rake angle reduce the force per grit.
• The grinding ratio or G ratio is defined as thee volume of work removed divided by the volume of wheel wear.

Horizontal Grinding

Vertical Grinding

(a) Centered grinding                                                 (b) Center-less grinding

Creep feed grinding

In creep-feed grinding, the entire depth of cut is completed in one ot two pass only using very small in-feed rates.

Advantages: 

• Increased accuracy and productivity
• Improved surface finish
• Burr reduction
• Reduced stress and fatigue

Honing

Honing is a finishing process, in which a tool called hone carries out a combined rotary and reciprocating motion while the workpiece does not perform any working motion. 

Honing tool used to improve the surface finish of bored or ground holes.

Honning Tool

Theory of Metal Cutting