A Computerized Approach for Tolerance Analysis of Disk Cam Mechanisms with a Flat-faced Follower

A computerized approach for analyzing the tolerances in disk cam mechanisms with a flatfaced follower is presented in this paper. Based on the simulated higher-pair contact analysis, the kinematic deviation of the follower motion caused by the tolerance amount of each design parameter can be determined numerically. The method is validated by means of analyzing the case of an eccentric circular cam mechanism; such a case has an exact solution of the follower motion error. Compared with the exact solutions, the presented computerized approach is demonstrated to be able to provide excellent accuracy and sufficient efficiency no matter how large the level of the tolerance is. Then, both the offset translating oblique flat-faced follower and the oscillating flat-faced follower cases are given to illustrate the presented method. The presented computerized approach and the obtained results can be helpful for tolerance allocation tasks of disk cam mechanisms with a flat-faced follower.