Applications and advantages of different cams:-

Radial or disc cam- used in smaller engines due to simplicity and compactness.

Spiral cam-used where we need to reverse the direction or reset the position of follower, mostly used in computers.

Cylindrical cam-used where more prompt and accurate service is required.

Conjugate cam-used where low wear, low noise, better control over follower at high speeds and high dynamic load is needed.

Globoidal cam- used in moderate speed engine where angle of oscillation of follower is large.

Spherical cam-used where exact transmission of motion is needed to follower.

Cams are widely used in automatic machines, IC engines, machine tools, printing control mechanism, dye casting, milling and punch presses.

Disadvantage: -

Due to irregular and varying speed, varying load and jerks to the engine cam fails to work ideally or according to our need which disturbs the efficiency of engine.

Classification of follower

1. According to shape

2. According to movement

3. According to location of line of movement