The diagram below shows a cam follower output graph. The distance from the centre of the cam to the outside (displacement) is measured every 30º and plotted on a graph.

Design your own cam (nothing too complex) and measure the distance from the centre of the cam to its outside edge every 30º. Plot the follower output graph that results.

The illustration on the right shows a gear mechanism.

The input gear is connected to a motor that rotates at 3000 rpm.

Two outputs are possible when the purple bar moves the either the 10 tooth gear or the 20 tooth gear in contact with the input gear. These are shown as 'Output A' or 'Output B' (see below)

Calculate the two possible gear ratios.

Calculate the two possible output speeds.

The designers of this mechanism have come up with what they think is an ingenious way of having the ouput from one gear wheel which is in contact with both the 10 and the 20 tooth gear wheels.

They belive that they will be able to still let the purple bar move from left to right to select either the 10T and 20T gears, but with their new design, 'Output C' means that the input and output will be turning in the same direction.

Explain why this isn’t such a good idea and suggest an alternative.

The illustration on the right shows a typical pulley mechanism as used in a pillar drill. If the motor rotates at 2000 rpm, what range of output speeds are possible?