CAM

The cam is a rotating component used to actuate other parts and often to convert its rotary motion into a linear movement. In watchmaking, cams are found in semi-automatic or automatic machines such as lathes, milling machines, and bar-turning machines. They serve as mechanical programmers, automating the movement of tools, slides, or tables.

Cams are also present among the components of a watch movement. Once again, they serve to transmit and transform motion and function as mechanical programming elements (in striking watches, perpetual calendars, chronographs, equation of time mechanisms, etc.).

Useful links:

– Equation of Time (construction and function)
– Short interval time measurement
– Automatic lathe