rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycamMotion-changing machine part
noun

cam

KAM/kæm/

A rotating or sliding machine part that changes the motion of another part.

The rotating cam lifts a spring-loaded roller.

Close-up of a working cam-and-follower mechanism: a smooth pear-shaped cam fixed to a horizontal shaft lifts a spring-loaded roller follower constrained to move vertically.
Etymology
camDutchcog; comb

If it comes from Dutch “cog,” originally “comb,” the name evokes the teeth on early motion-transmitting wheels. The source also allows influence from, or derivation entirely from, camber, referring to an arched shape.

In context

Deep Into History13:50
The drawings show a set of cam wheels of different diameters designed to control
The U.S. Government Kept Thousands of Patents Secret — Here’s Why

More examples

  • A worn cam caused the mechanism to jam.
  • The engineer adjusted the cam to change the timing.
  • Each turn of the cam moves the follower up and down.

Forms

cam · cams

Similar words

gear
A toothed wheel that transfers motion; a cam usually controls a follower's movement.
lever
Transfers force around a pivot rather than through a shaped rotating surface.