Swashplate

Description

A Swashplate is essentially a disc mounted on a rotating shaft at an angle such that it can transfer reciprocating motion to a follower which is constrained to slide parallel to the same shaft.

Features and Appications

Swashplates may be regarded as a simple form of Cylindrical Cam.

Note: They can be modelled, in wooden mechanical toys for example, by gluing a Ply or MDF disc at an angle on to a rotating Dowel - or by simply cutting the end of a larger diameter Dowel at an angle.

Animation

Examples from Nguyen Duc Thang's YouTube Channel 2100 Animated Mechanical Mechanisms

Swashplate - note that, in this example. the follower rotates during Reciprocation because of its angled flat contact with the tilted plate.

DT Online Buyers' Guide

Cam profiles (i.e. the shape of the outer edge of the cam against which the Follower engages) can be drawn as a Displacement Diagram using Drawing Instruments or CAD software.

Cams for models can be made simply by drilling an MDF or Ply Disc off-centre to make an Eccentric Cam or by mounting a disc at an angle to a dowel axle to make a Swashplate.

The use of Cams can most easily be explored using Contruction Kits such as those listed below.

Click top left to enlarge


Engino "STEM Mechanics" Cams and Cranks Set	Engino "STEM Mechanics" Levers and Linkages Set	Fischertechnik 536622 - Mechanic & Static 2	Engino Mechanisms Set	Engino Gears Set