This paper focuses on the analysis of running conditions and machining processes of conical cam with oscillating follower. We point out the common errors existing in the design and machining of the widely used plane expansion method of conical cam trough-out line. We show that the motion can be divided into two parts, i.e. the oscillating motion of oscillating bar and the rotary motion of oscillating bar relative to the conical cam. By increasing the rotary motion of oscillating bar, the motion path of tapered roller on oscillating bar (i.e. contour surface of conical cam) can be expanded on the cylinder. Based on these analyses, we present a creative and effective designing and machining method for 3D curve expansion of conical cam with oscillating follower.
Conical cam mechanism has been widely used in modern machinery and equipment.However,the commonly used planar expansion methods for the design of spatial cam contour produce significant errors,because these methods incorrectly use the distance from the axis of the follower to the main conical cam to replace the corresponding arc length on the conical cam.HSIEH,et al,used analytical methods to achieve higher accuracy,but these analytical methods have their own drawbacks since they are too complicated for practical use.Through the analysis of the errors created during the generation of conical cam contour using the existing expansion methods,this paper proposes to include diverge angle in the calculation of conical cam rotation angle in the equation of conical cam contour expansion.This correction eliminates the error generated by the commonly used methods.Based on the expression of the follower＇s 3D trajectory and the spatial geometry of conical cam,this paper has deduced the planar polar curve equation for determining polar coordinates for the curve of planar expansion outline.Furthermore,this paper provides an example of conical cam contour design based on sinusoidal acceleration variation.According to polar coordinates and the movement of curve equation function expression,this paper applies MATLAB software to solve coordinates for the cam expansion curve and uses AutoCAD software to generate conical cam expansion contour that meets the requirement of the law of motion.The proposed method provides a design process that is simple,intuitive and easy to master and implement.It also avoids the design error in the traditional methods for generating contour of conical cam with oscillating follower that requires high precision.
