A Brief History of Cams and Cam Mechanisms

Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-3-031-81150-0
Verlag: Springer

Buch, Englisch, Band 50, 175 Seiten, Format (B × H): 155 mm x 235 mm, Gewicht: 329 g

Reihe: History of Mechanism and Machine Science

This book offers a description of the evolution of cams and their uses from the Middle Ages to the present day, highlighting their contribution to the development of technology. Usually, in the history of technology the diverse types of machines are taken into account, but the importance of cams is not emphasized, which are often fundamental for the operation of such machines. In this book the focus is instead on cams, understood as important, and often essential, components of machines that have had significant importance in the development of technology. It treats technical aspects at a level easily accessible even to non-experts in mechanics and the various applications are illustrated with many figures. The book serves as a reference work for those interested in both the history of technology and machines in general, and it helps them deal with certain mechanical problems, even starting from solutions already obtained with cams and, perhaps, overcoming them with others suggested by current developments in technology.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Meneghetti, Umberto

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Maschinenbau | Werkstoffkunde Maschinenbau
• Technische Wissenschaften Technik Allgemein Technikgeschichte
• Interdisziplinäres Wissenschaften Wissenschaften: Allgemeines Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften, Formalen Wissenschaften & Technik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction.- Antiquity.- The Industrial Revolution in the Middle Ages: Mechanization and the Triumph of Cams.- Fulling Mills, Paper Mills, Threshing Machines and Rice Husking Mills, Pestles.- Bellows, Hammers, Pumps.- Watches and Mechanical Musical Instruments.- Automata.- Internal Combustion Engines.- Machine Tools.- Automatic Machines.- Textile and Sewing Machines.- Analog computers.- Miscellaneous Applications.- Evolution of Cams.

Über Autor(innen)

Umberto Meneghetti is Professor Emeritus at the University of Bologna, Italy, where he taught Mechanics of Machinery for several years. His research interests have focused on fluid film lubrication, mechanisms and machine elements, linkages, crossed helical gears, dynamics and vibrations, and cams.