What are the best practices for creating a barrel cam model?

[Sulibo]

Typically,

• I create a 2D cam diagram in Creo using the "Create a curve by using an equation" feature.
• After generating the curve,I create a new sketch and project the curve onto it.
• Additionally,I save a copy of this sketch. Subsequently, I utilize the "Datum" -> "GRAPH" option,
• and then I insert the copied sketch (the file) into this "graph" feature.
• Next, I employ the "graph" and the "evalgraph" function to construct a 3D cam diagram suitable for Creo's sweep cut feature.

Thus, there are two cam diagrams in my process:

• One is a regular sketch that is linked to the 2D equation curve, which I use for making drawings;
• The other is the sketch in the "GRAPH".

I believe there might be a better method for creating a barrel cam model and its associated drawings.

I would appreciate it if you could share your experience,

thank you~!

[KenFarley · Accepted solution]

This seems to come up regularly on here. Like this discussion:

https://community.ptc.com/t5/3D-Part-Assembly-Design/Modelling-cam-tracks-CREO-6-0/m-p/954053#M135062 

It is a shape that is relatively straightforward to create in the real world, but very difficult to model. I would imagine this makes it very difficult for anyone to create 3D printed models for this type of component.

I've had success making quarter turn fasteners (DZUS) by defining curves that can be used to build surfaces that cut the slot, but that's a much simpler bit of geometry than a cam profile.

[Sulibo]

Yes, I think you're right. The shape is extremely difficult to create.

I believe we can overlook this issue because the workshop can use the 2D equation curve to produce the cam.

Currently, this is the way we transfer the information:

I generate a drawing based on the 2D equation curve.
The workshop exports a DXF file from this drawing.
After that, they use their software to import the DXF file and manufacture the cam.

I'm not sure if there's a more efficient way to convey the cam curve information.