Prediction for Dynamic Characteristics of Ring-Plate Planetary Indexing Cam Mechanism

This paper is aimed to propose an approach to predict the dynamic characteristics of ring-plate planetary indexing cam mechanism, which is a novel type of indexing mechanism that employs internal planetary transmission structure. Firstly, the geometry and structure of the mechanism are discussed and the kinematic practicability is simulated with virtual prototype design. Then a 3D finite element model of the ring-plate planetary indexing cam mechanism is developed with the commercial software of MATLAB and ANSYS. Through the finite element analysis, the natural frequencies and the corresponding mode shapes are predicted in one motion cycle. On the basis of the virtual prototype design and finite element analysis, an experimental prototype is made and tested to validate the prediction of the dynamic characteristics. The agreement between experimental results and the finite element analysis testifies that the finite element model developed is applicable to the prediction of the dynamic characteristics of this type of mechanism.