• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Motion Control Tips

Automation • Motion Control • Power Transmission

  • News
    • Industry News
    • Editor Blogs
    • Video
  • Controls
    • HMIs
    • PC-Based Controllers
    • PLCs + PACs
    • Stand-Alone Controllers
    • Software
  • Drives
    • Servo Drives
    • Stepper Drives
  • Encoders
    • Absolute Encoders
    • Incremental Encoders
    • Rotary Encoders
  • Mechanical
    • Bearings
    • Brakes + Clutches
    • Belt + chain
    • Couplings
    • Gears + Gearing
    • Lubrication
    • Shock + Vibration Mitigation
    • Springs + Rings + Seals
  • Linear
    • Actuators
    • Linear Motors
    • Linear Encoders
  • Motors
    • AC Motors
    • DC Motors
    • Brushless Motors
    • Gearmotors
    • Piezo Motors
    • Servo Motors
    • Stepper Motors
  • Systems
    • Conveyors + linear transport systems
    • Gantries + Stages
    • Rotary Tables
    • Grippers + End Effectors
    • Robotics
  • Networks
    • Connections + Sliprings
    • Fieldbuses
    • I/O
    • Sensors + Vision
  • FAQs
    • Motion Casebook
    • Motion Selection Guides
  • Suppliers
You are here: Home / FAQs + basics / What is electronic camming?

What is electronic camming?

December 8, 2017 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

To understand electronic camming, it helps to first know a bit about traditional mechanical cams.

cam
A traditional mechanical cam (left) with its irregular shape imparts motion to the follower (right) which is translated into linear motion. (Image via Lenze)

A traditional mechanical cam setup works like this: the cam is typically a rotating part on a machine shaft that imparts motion onto a part called a follower. The cam itself can be irregularly shaped (not circular),  oval shaped or have edge surface areas of varying height. The unique cam profile transfers this motion pattern to the follower, which can activate a switch or cause some other type of motion or action to occur.

Another way to put it is that a cam is essentially a motion profile, traditionally executed by mechanical means. The most familiar example may just be the cam and follower setup in a car engine. Here, a camshaft with lobes is spaced out on the shaft. As the shaft rotates the lobes move push rods that activate a rocker arm causing valves in the cylinder to open and close.

drive
Drive units, such as the MOVIDRIVE MDX series from SEW-EURODRIVE, offer an electronic cam option. (Image via SEW-EURODRIVE)

In electronic camming, the mechanical setup is replaced by electronics, usually with something called a cam profile function. These cam profiles are typically defined in a table as a set of x-y points. The biggest advantage of electronic camming is the ability to change motion profiles quickly and easily without having to make any mechanical adjustments or changes, as one would need to do in a traditional cam and follower setup. Electronic camming is accomplished with servomotors, actuators and drives and controllers with electronic gearing functions.

 

You may also like:


  • PLC basics video: Processor types, I/O modules, and programming
  • motors
    Unique servomotors improve packaging application

  • New ways of controlling indexing tables for precision motion
  • clean-design-machine-longevity
    Five key electrical design concepts for mechanical engineers

Filed Under: FAQs + basics

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

MOTION DESIGN GUIDES

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

“motion

POWER TRANSMISSION REFERENCE GUIDE

RSS Linear Motion Tips

  • Renishaw launches the FORTiS range of next-generation enclosed linear absolute encoders
  • Multi-axis motion sub-system boasts nanometer resolution
  • Anti-friction miniature linear guides from PM B.V. now come with a variety of cage options
  • How do miniature profiled rail guides compare to their full-size counterparts?
  • LINAK launches the world’s first electric linear actuator with IO-Link
Subscribe Today

RSS Featured White Papers

  • Identifying Best-Value Linear Motion Technologies
  • Learn how to reduce noise and distortion in encoders’ signals
  • Helical Planetary Gearboxes: Understanding The Tradeoffs
Tweets from https://twitter.com/Motion_Control/lists/motion-control-tweets

Footer

Motion Control Tips

DESIGN WORLD NETWORK

Design World Online
The Robot Report
Coupling Tips
Linear Motion Tips
Bearing Tips
Fastener Engineering

MOTION CONTROL TIPS

Subscribe to our newsletter
Advertise with us
Contact us
About us
Follow us on TwitterAdd us on FacebookAdd us on LinkedInAdd us on YouTubeAdd us on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy | RSS