CAM MOTION SYNTHESIS USING CUBIC-SPLINES

The application of minimum norm principle, similar to the principle of minimum potential energy, is presented for the general synthesis of c am motion. The approach involves the use of piecewise cubic spline fun ctions for representing the follower displacement. The cubic splines a re more convenient and simpler to use compared to general spline funct ions and also result in smaller peak acceleration and jerk due to the application of the minimum norm principle. A general procedure is pres ented for application to any cam-follower system. The effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by comparing the results given by the pre sent method with those given by other approaches for a disk cam-transl ating follower.