Cam Design And Manufacturing Handbook, 2nd Ed May 2026

It covers the metallurgy of surface stresses and lubrication.

that apply theoretical formulas to real-world industrial problems. The Verdict

Whether you’re a mechanical engineer, a hobbyist, or a student of kinematics, Robert L. Norton’s is widely considered the "Bible" of cam systems. Cam Design and Manufacturing Handbook, 2nd Ed

While cams might seem like "old school" technology in the age of digital servos, they remain the backbone of high-speed machinery because of their reliability and ability to handle extreme accelerations. 1. Moving Beyond the "Old School"

It discusses how machining errors (scallops and surface finishes) translate into unwanted vibrations in high-speed applications. It covers the metallurgy of surface stresses and lubrication

, reflecting how modern engineers use computational tools to simulate cam-follower interactions.

If you are designing high-speed packaging equipment, automotive valvetrains, or precision medical devices, this handbook is indispensable. It doesn't just show you how to draw a cam; it explains the physics of why certain shapes fail and how to engineer systems that run quietly and last for millions of cycles. Norton’s is widely considered the "Bible" of cam systems

Historically, cam design was a trial-and-error process involving hand-drawn layouts and graphical methods. Norton’s second edition pulls the discipline firmly into the 21st century. It emphasizes , focusing on the mathematical functions (like SCCA and B-splines) that govern smooth motion rather than just "connecting the dots." 2. The Focus on Dynamics