Experimental and Simulation Results of a Cam and Flat-Faced Follower Mechanism

In this study, a cam and a flat-faced follower system with impacts and friction at the contact points are analyzed. The dynamic analysis has been done by simulating the follower displacement at a uniform cam angular velocity. Impact and friction are considered to determine the Lyapunov exponent based on different follower guides' clearances and cam rotational speeds. The simulation analysis has been carried out using SOLIDWORKS. An experimental procedure is developed to capture the follower position through high-resolution optical markers mounted on the moving link. The experimental results are compared with the simulation results.