Optimisation of cam-follower motion using B-splines

This paper proposes design of cam-follower velocity curve by using B-spline polynomials. B-spline polynomials are smooth curves defined by control points. Curve shape can be modified by changing the control points. The traditional design method for improving the motion characteristics of the follower is to find an optimum displacement curve for which follower velocity, acceleration curves to be continuous and their peak values as small as possible (i.e. minimum jerk). B-spline polynomials of degree three and six control points are used in design of follower velocity curve. The B-spline curve is used to approximate the various basic curves which have better motion characteristics. A computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system is developed which generates follower motion curves, i.e. displacement, velocity, acceleration, jerk and cam profiles. An analysis is carried out on B-splines with basic curves for maximum accelerations to select the best cam follower motion. It also provides cam profile coordinates to manufacture a cam on computer numerical control (CNC) machines.