Optimal Synthesis of the Adjustable Knock-Out Cam-Follower Mechanism of a Bolt Former

Abstract

Abstract

This paper presents a feasible method for improvements to the adjustable knock-out cam-follower mechanism of a bolt former. On the basis of the results of analysing an existing knock-out mechanism of a bolt former, the design requirements for a new mechanism are developed. In order to meet some specific requirements and that the displacement, velocity, and acceleration curves of the follower motion are continuous, the new cam profile consists of two circular arcs and a fifth-degree or sixth-degree polynomial segment. For the cam profile with a sixth-degree polynomial segment, besides the six specified boundary conditions, a variable condition is used as a design variable for the optimization design. The maximum strike velocity between the knock-out screw and knock-out pin for all knock-out strokes is minimized by using the golden section method. The kinematic characteristics of the new knock-out camfollower mechanism synthesized are better than those of the existing mechanism. The method presented is illustrated by an example.