Impact of the cam and follower cooperation and of lubrication on the cam wear

Purpose: The paper provides an analysis of the reasons for excessive wear of the cam/follower system components based on physical and mathematical models developed to describe the impact of selected material, technological and operational factors. Owing to the comparison between the calculation results obtained and the actual cam wear values, it was possible to asses the correctness of the wear models taken into consideration.Design/methodology/approach: The research in question included preparation of a mathematical cam wear model developed by way of dimensional analysis as well as finite element (FEM) based structural models for a cam/follower system. The aforementioned FEM models were noted in a parametrical form using macro commands of the COSMOS/M system, and hence it was possible to analyse contact problems in various cam positions and change the selected analytical parameters (e.g. dimensions, material parameters).Findings: The main reasons for excessive cam wear include inferior quality of the cam and follower frictional couple lubrication as well as edge-type cooperation between the cam and the cam follower. At the same time, a significant impact on the wear is exerted by hardness of the cam and its follower.Research limitations/implications: Wear of cams and cam followers operating in timing gear systems of vehicle combustion engines takes place as an effect of friction occurring in presence of lubricant. During standard operation, components of the cam/follower system may be subject to an excessive or accelerated wear process. This study is an attempt to establish the reasons for this phenomenon to occur in order to control such cases.Originality/value: In order to counteract the phenomenon of accelerated wear of cams, one should consider increasing the required hardness of their working surfaces.