The base circle is the fundamental circle from which the cam profile is generated. It's the smallest radius of the cam, measured from the cam center.
Its radius directly influences the overall physical dimensions and size constraints of the cam mechanism.
Therefore, the base circle is the term that defines the size of the cam.
The throw of a cam is the maximum distance of the follower from
Match the following parts of a cam to their descriptions.
| Column I | Column II | ||
| 1. | Pitch curve | A. | The smallest circle from the cam centre through the cam profile curve. |
| 2. | Pitch circle | B. | The path traced by the follower as it is rotated by a stationary cam |
| 3. | Working curve | C. | The smallest circle from the cam centre through the pitch curve. |
| 4. | Prime circle | D. | The surface of cam in contact with the follower. |
| 5. | Working circle | E. | Used to calculate a cam of minimum size for a given pressure angle. |
Angle of dwell of cam is defined as the angle
The angle between the normal to the cam profile and the axis of the follower is called the ________.