Mechanisms: Cams and Followers
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The cam and follower is a device which can convert rotary motion into linear motion (movement in a straight line). A cam is a specially shaped piece of material, usually metal or hard wearing plastic, which is fixed to rotating shaft. The cam can have various shapes eg. round, oval, heart shaped. A follower is a mechanism which is designed to move up and down as it follows the edge of the cam.

Many machines which have moving parts use cams. A good example is the motor car engine which has cams to open and close valves and contact breaker points and operate fuel pumps.

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