Year 6 · Design and technology · Mechanical systems · Lesson 1
Cams
Cams: changing rotary into reciprocating motion, the axle, cam and follower, cam shapes and their movements, and designing a reliable cam toy.
13-minute video lesson
Teaching, worked examples and 20 practice questions solved step by step.
Watch free for a monthWhat your child will learn
- Explain how a cam works
- Name cam mechanism parts
- Match cam shapes to movements
- Design and test a cam toy
The method
- Movement.
- Cam shape.
- Frame + guide.
- Test.
Key words: cam, follower, axle, rotary, reciprocating, mechanism.
Worked examples
The first three practice questions from the lesson, with every step.
Question 1
What does a cam change rotary motion into?
- Step 1: Up/down
Answer: up-and-down (reciprocating) motion
Question 2
What is ‘rotary’ motion?
- Step 1: Turning
Answer: turning in a circle
Question 3
What rests on top of a cam?
- Step 1: f...
Answer: the follower