Cams and followers — for a circular-arc cam with a roller follower, the acceleration at any position during the lift depends primarily on which parameters?

Introduction / Context: In cam design, the follower acceleration history is governed by the displacement law. For a circular-arc cam profile with a roller follower, geometry of the arc and follower size dominate acceleration, together with rotational speed.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Profile during lift is an arc of a circle.
• Follower is a roller of finite diameter.
• Constant cam speed is assumed.

Concept / Approach: The acceleration a_f is related to the second derivative of the follower displacement with respect to cam angle and to ω² (cam speed squared). For an arc profile, curvature (1/R) and the center location relative to the base circle directly set displacement curvature; the roller diameter modifies effective geometry via kinematic equivalence.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative Check: Increasing ω scales accelerations; decreasing arc radius (higher curvature) increases peak acceleration.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
(a) Total lift and base circle radius matter for other profiles, but arc curvature parameters are missing.
(c) Mass and spring affect dynamics (forces), not geometric acceleration law.
(d) Cam centre of gravity is irrelevant to kinematic acceleration.

Common Pitfalls: Confusing force response (mass/spring) with kinematic acceleration dictated by geometry and speed.

Final Answer: radius of circular arc, cam speed, location of centre of circular arc and roller diameter.