Lever & Cams

A lever is a great device for using a small force to lift or move a larger weight. It rotates in an arc around the fulcrum, which is the point at which the lever pivots. A hole puncher and pair of scissors are both types of levers. Cams change a rotary motion into a linear motion that follows the shape of the cam. Cams can have a variety of shapes, or profiles, which determine which way the follower will move.