Cam Design — And Manufacturing Handbook, 2nd Ed

If you are designing high-speed packaging equipment, automotive valvetrains, or precision medical devices, this handbook is indispensable. It doesn't just show you how to draw a cam; it explains the physics of why certain shapes fail and how to engineer systems that run quietly and last for millions of cycles.

, reflecting how modern engineers use computational tools to simulate cam-follower interactions.

Design is only half the battle. This edition bridges the gap between the CAD screen and the CNC machine. Cam Design and Manufacturing Handbook, 2nd Ed

Whether you’re a mechanical engineer, a hobbyist, or a student of kinematics, Robert L. Norton’s is widely considered the "Bible" of cam systems.

While cams might seem like "old school" technology in the age of digital servos, they remain the backbone of high-speed machinery because of their reliability and ability to handle extreme accelerations. 1. Moving Beyond the "Old School" Design is only half the battle

The core strength of this handbook is its focus on . A cam that looks good on paper can fail in the real world if it triggers resonance in the follower system.

Historically, cam design was a trial-and-error process involving hand-drawn layouts and graphical methods. Norton’s second edition pulls the discipline firmly into the 21st century. It emphasizes , focusing on the mathematical functions (like SCCA and B-splines) that govern smooth motion rather than just "connecting the dots." 2. The Focus on Dynamics Norton’s is widely considered the "Bible" of cam systems

It covers the metallurgy of surface stresses and lubrication.