Skyway Avenue

Cam and follower
A cam and follower system is system/mechanism that uses a cam and follower to create a specific motion. The cam is in most cases merely a flat piece of metal that has had an unusual shape or profile machined onto it. This cam is attached to a shaft which enable it to be turned by applying a turning action to the shaft. As the cam rotates it is the profile or shape of the cam that causes the follower to move in a particular way. The movement of the follower is then transmitted to another mechanism or another part of the mechanism. Here are the example:

Crank and slider

As the crank (yellow) turns the pushrod and slider is moved up and down, the end point tracing out a curved, but not necessarily circular motion.

Bevel Gears

Bevel gears can be used to change the direction of drive in a gear system by 90 degrees. A good example is seen as the main mechanism for a hand drill. As the handle of the drill is turned in a vertical direction, the bevel gears change the rotation of the chuck to a horizontal rotation.

Examples:

Rack and pinion

Here are the examples: