stationary-cam

This safe Rust CLI generates SVG templates for stationary cams.

Example

cargo install stationary-cam
~/.cargo/bin/stationary-cam \
    --filename "example" \
    --strokes \
        "S1=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S2=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S3=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S4=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S5=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S6=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S7=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S8=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S9=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
        "S10=M 5,0 L 5,30" \
    --diameter-mm 460 \
    --center-circle-radius-mm 18.0 \
    --outer-circles-radius-mm 5.0 \
    --outer-circles-margin-mm 50.0 \
    --vertices-per-millimeter 1

This will result in a SVG looking like this:

Building the cam

You can use the generated SVG template to cut the cam out of a metal plate, cardboard or any other material. Depending on the material of the cam, you might need a different file format.

Using GIMP to convert the SVG to PNG

When opening the SVG with GIMP, you can select the size of the picture.
File -> Export As... -> example.png

Using Blender to convert the SVG to OBJ or STL

OBJ and STL files are often used for 3D printing or CNC woodworking.

File -> Import -> Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg)
Select all objects
Object Data Properties -> Resolution Preview U -> See console
Right click -> Set Origin -> Geometry to Origin
Right click -> Convert To -> Mesh
Select cam object and select all vertices
Press E to move them up a bit
Select tooth object and select all vertices
ALT-N -> Flip
Press E to move them down a bit
n times: Select each side or two vertices and merge to last
Select all objects
Control-M -> z
Right click -> Join
File -> Export -> e.g. Wavefront OBJ / STL etc.

Using Inkscape to convert the SVG to DXF

DXF files are often used for metal laser cutting machines.

inkscape --export-type="dxf" example.svg

License

Licensed under either of these:

Apache License, Version 2.0, (LICENSE-APACHE or https://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
MIT license (LICENSE-MIT or https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)

Contribution

Unless you explicitly state otherwise, any contribution intentionally submitted for inclusion in the work by you, as defined in the Apache-2.0 license, shall be dual licensed as above, without any additional terms or conditions.