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

1. When opening the SVG with GIMP, you can select the size of the picture.
2. 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.

1. File -> Import -> Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg)
2. Select all objects
3. Object Data Properties -> Resolution Preview U -> See console
4. Right click -> Set Origin -> Geometry to Origin
5. Right click -> Convert To -> Mesh
6. Select cam object and select all vertices
7. Press E to move them up a bit
8. Select tooth object and select all vertices
9. ALT-N -> Flip
10. Press E to move them down a bit
11. n times: Select each side or two vertices and merge to last
12. Select all objects
13. Control-M -> z
14. Right click -> Join
15. 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)