A cam follower, also known as a track follower, is a specialized type of roller or needle bearing designed to follow cam lobe profiles. Cam followers come in a vast array of different configurations, however the most defining characteristic is how the cam follower mounts to its mating part; stud style cam followers use a stud while the yoke style has a hole through the middle.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axHLJzZxNf8[/youtube]

Here I describe cam mechanism of 2 followers.

1. Cam mechanism of 2 followers

Input: pink eccentric cam (cam of constant width).
The blue follower linearly reciprocates.
The yellow follower has planar motion: circular translation. Each point on it traces a circle (in green). Its radius = cam eccentricity.

2. Cam mechanism of 2 followers

Input: pink cam (Reuleaux triangle) (cam of constant width).
The blue follower linearly reciprocates with dwells at both stroke ends.
The yellow follower has planar motion. Each point on it traces a square (in green). The square side = R2 – R1

3. Cam mechanism of 2 followers

Input: pink cam causing two motions of blue and yellow followers.
The blue follower linearly reciprocates with dwell at its highest position.
The yellow follower has planar motion. Green closed curve is locus of a point on it. There are two straight portions because the cam profile

4. Cam mechanism of 2 followers

Input: pink cam causing two motions of blue and yellow followers.
The blue follower oscillates with dwell at its leftest position.
The yellow follower has planar motion. Green closed curve is locus of a point on it.