Design and analysis of indexing cam mechanism with parallel axes

The indexing cam mechanism is one of the most crucial mechanisms in automated machinery. This study proposes a simple yet comprehensive method for the design and analysis of an indexing cam mechanism with parallel axes. In the proposed approach, an analytical description of the driving cam profile is obtained using coordinate transformation and conjugate surface theory. Formulae are then derived for the pressure angle of the indexing cam mechanism and the principal curvatures of the driving cam. Finally, the kinematic characteristics of the indexing cam mechanism are analyzed. The validity of the proposed design methodology is verified by machining an indexing cam on a 3-axis CNC machine. The results confirm that the proposed methodology enables the design and manufacturing tasks to be successfully integrated, thereby making possible a flexible, automatic, cost efficient and controllable production process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.