Title page for ETD etd-061308-160839

Document Type thesis

Author Name LaPierre, Jeffrey A

URN etd-061308-160839

Title A Novel Tension-Member Follower Train for a Generic Cam-Driven Mechanism

Degree MS

Department Mechanical Engineering

Advisors
Professor Robert Norton, Advisor
Professor Holly Ault, Committee Member
Professor James Van de Ven, Committee Member
Professor Cosme Furlong, Graduate Committee Rep

Keywords
Metal Belt
Metal Tape
Cam Follower
Tension-Member
Cam

Date of Presentation/Defense 2008-05-30

Availability unrestricted

Abstract
Many assembly machines for consumer products suffer from the fact that the mechanisms used to impart the necessary assembly motions to the product are orders of magnitude more massive than the product payloads that they carry. This characteristic subsequently limits the operating speed of the machine. If the follower train could be made less massive without sacrificing accuracy and control, it would therefore allow higher speeds. It is well-known that structures that carry only tensile loads can be much less massive than those that must also carry compressive loads. This concept is demonstrated in many structures, such as the suspension bridge. This master’s project set out to investigate the feasibility of a tension-member follower train for a generic cam-driven pick and place mechanism. This system was first dynamically simulated using a computer model, and then tested by constructing a proof of concept prototype. A cam-driven, low-mass tension member (in this case a spring steel strip over pulleys) under spring preload was used to replace the bellcranks and connecting rods typical of a conventional follower train. The system was determined to be feasible and will allow for increased operating speeds at potentially lower costs as an additional benefit.

Files
jlapierre.pdf

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Document Type	thesis
Author Name	LaPierre, Jeffrey A
URN	etd-061308-160839
Title	A Novel Tension-Member Follower Train for a Generic Cam-Driven Mechanism
Degree	MS
Department	Mechanical Engineering
Advisors	Professor Robert Norton, Advisor Professor Holly Ault, Committee Member Professor James Van de Ven, Committee Member Professor Cosme Furlong, Graduate Committee Rep
Keywords	Metal Belt Metal Tape Cam Follower Tension-Member Cam
Date of Presentation/Defense	2008-05-30
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract Many assembly machines for consumer products suffer from the fact that the mechanisms used to impart the necessary assembly motions to the product are orders of magnitude more massive than the product payloads that they carry. This characteristic subsequently limits the operating speed of the machine. If the follower train could be made less massive without sacrificing accuracy and control, it would therefore allow higher speeds. It is well-known that structures that carry only tensile loads can be much less massive than those that must also carry compressive loads. This concept is demonstrated in many structures, such as the suspension bridge. This master’s project set out to investigate the feasibility of a tension-member follower train for a generic cam-driven pick and place mechanism. This system was first dynamically simulated using a computer model, and then tested by constructing a proof of concept prototype. A cam-driven, low-mass tension member (in this case a spring steel strip over pulleys) under spring preload was used to replace the bellcranks and connecting rods typical of a conventional follower train. The system was determined to be feasible and will allow for increased operating speeds at potentially lower costs as an additional benefit.
Files	jlapierre.pdf