DEFINITIONS

Displacement diagram:

The displacement diagram is a rectangular coordinate layout of the follower motion in one cycle of cam operation. The rise of the follower is shown as the ordinate with the length of the abscissa arbitrarily chosen. The abscissa is divided into equal cam angles or equal time divisions since the cam usually rotates at a constant speed. The displacement diagram is generally drawn or sketched as the first step in the development of the cam profile.

Transition point:

The transition point is the point on the cam at which the follower has its maximum velocity. In the displacement diagram, the transition point (point of inflection) is located at the maximum cam slope.