Cams in a product | Design and technology | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Which part of a cam mechanism is indicated in this diagram?
- axle ✓
- follower
- cam
- slide
Which words can be used to describe the output movement of a cam mechanism?
- rotary
- linear ✓
- reciprocating ✓
- reverse
Which part of a cam mechanism supports the follower, keeping it in place?
- 'slide' ✓
Match the cam type to the description.
- ellipse
  
  ⇔
  
  elongated shape with a central hole ✓
- eccentric
  
  ⇔
  
  circular shape with an off-centre hole ✓
- snail
  
  ⇔
  
  spiral shape known for its 'drop' motion ✓
- pear
  
  ⇔
  
  elongated shape, wider at one end ✓
Why does a cam disc need to fit tightly to the axle?
- so it moves with the axle ✓
- so it stays in position ✓
- so it moves the axle
- so it can change direction
Which of these products has a cam mechanism?
- see saw
- sewing machine ✓
- deckchair
- carousel ✓

In a cam mechanism, what are the cam discs fixed to?
- crank
- follower
- axle ✓
- slide
Which parts of a cam mechanism are affected by changing the size or shape of a cam?
- follower ✓
- crank
- output display ✓
- axle
Which of these materials could be used to make an axle?
- dowel ✓
- cardboard
- cardboard box
- a drinking straw ✓
Which part of a cam mechanism on a prototype automaton is shown in this image?
- follower
- cam
- slide ✓
- crank
- axle
Complete the sentence. In a cam mechanism, complicated movements can be created by a simple __________ motion.
- linear
- forward
- rotary ✓
- backward
Order the parts of a cam mechanism to show the order in which they are affected by the input movement.
- 1
  
  ⇔
  
  crank
- 2
  
  ⇔
  
  axle
- 3
  
  ⇔
  
  cam
- 4
  
  ⇔
  
  follower
- 5
  
  ⇔
  
  animated output

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All automata create the same up and down linear output.

The position of the follower and the size, shape and number of cams can create a range of movements.

Automaton - a mechanical toy that uses a cam mechanism to animate a character or scene - plural-automata
Cam - a shaped disc attached to an axle
Follower - a bar that follows the movement of the cam disc
Slide - a device that holds the follower in position