A displacement diagram for a follower using SHM is constructed by plotting the displacement as a cosine function of the cam angle. It involves symmetric motion about a mid-point with maximum and minimum velocities at the midpoint and ends, respectively. This sinusoidal graph represents oscillatory motion with smooth acceleration and deceleration, creating efficient transition phases in mechanical systems .

Dwelling periods in a cam-follower system, where the follower remains stationary for a duration, allows for actions like cooling or aligning to occur without mechanical disturbance. This period impacts the displacement profile by introducing a flat section on the diagram, thereby creating pauses in operation without altering previous or subsequent motion profiles significantly. Dwelling ensures timing flexibility and uniformity in repeated cycles .

The choice between a flat-faced and a roller follower affects the cam profile and the system's friction levels. A flat-faced follower will induce higher contact stress and friction due to the line contact with the cam, potentially leading to quicker wear. Conversely, a roller follower reduces friction due to point contact, leading to quieter operation and decreased wear, but requires a more complex cam profile to ensure proper motion .

To construct a displacement diagram with cycloidal motion in both the rise and fall phases, the motion must be divided into distinct phases with continuous acceleration and deceleration. Cycloidal motion is characterized by a sinusoidal pattern of increasing and decreasing velocity, which must be plotted mathematically using sine and cosine functions to ensure smooth transitions over specified degrees. This results in minimized dynamic stresses and smoother operation .

For a flat-faced follower driven by a cam with cycloidal motion, the displacement at any given angle depends on the angular velocity and the total rise. At a cam angle of 60°, with the cam rotating at 100 rpm and a total displacement of 1 inch over 180°, the displacement can be calculated using the cycloidal motion equations. This requires integrating the cycloidal function over time to determine displacement and differentiating it to find velocity and acceleration .

Cams are classified based on the type of follower motion they produce, such as translating, oscillating, or rotating follower cams. The shape and design of the cam profile determine the specific motion transmitted to the follower, impacting factors like velocity and acceleration. Different cam designs like radial, cylindrical, and face cams are used depending on the desired output motion and mechanical constraints .

Laying out a cam with an inline roller requires defining the base circle and machining the cam profile according to the specified displacement diagram, ensuring that the roller follows the path with minimal deviations. For an offset roller, adjustments must be made to the pressure angle and follower path, recalibrating the cam profile using graphical methods or employing CAD software to simulate and optimize the design before production .

Offsetting a roller follower typically alters the pressure angle and can change the cam's load distribution. By shifting the follower 15mm to the right, as specified, the cam profile must be modified to accommodate the new follower track. This often results in changes to the cam's shape to ensure smooth motion, affecting the stress distribution and potentially the system's efficiency and durability .

For simple harmonic motion (SHM), the velocity and acceleration can be derived from the displacement equations. Given a cam angle of 45° and a cam rotating at 100 rpm, with a displacement of 2 inches over 180°, the follower's velocity is found by differentiating the displacement function with respect to time, while acceleration is the derivative of velocity. SHM equations, which involve trigonometric functions, are used to model the periodic nature of the motion .

Creating a displacement diagram with modified constant velocity requires adjusting the cam's profile to include sections of constant and modified velocities. In the case of a rise of 40mm over 180 degrees, one-third of the motion is at a constant velocity, while the beginning and end sections are modified. This involves calculating the appropriate cam profiles using polynomial functions or combining linear segments with parabolic curves to achieve smooth transitions in velocity .