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