About Depth References for Cam-Follower Connections
Keep in mind that the cams you create are perceived as being of infinite depth in the extrusion direction. If you select a curved surface for your cam, it is displayed with an appropriate depth.
If you select a flat surface for one of your cams, you must use the references on the Depth display settings portion of the Cam-Follower Connection Definition dialog box to define the orientation of the cam. If you select a straight edge or straight curve for one of your cams, you must select a point, vertex, planar surface or datum plane to define the working plane, and you can use the depth references to change the visual display of your cam.
Select one of the following reference methods, and specify the Front reference, Back reference, Center reference, and Depth, as described.
• Automatic—An appropriate cam depth is calculated automatically, based on the cam surfaces you selected. This option is not available if you select a flat planar surface as a reference.
• Front & Back—Click the selector arrows beside Front reference and Back reference and select two points or vertices to serve as references for the depth. These references also orient the cam. A cam depth equal to the distance between the references you select is calculated automatically.
• Front, Back, & Depth—Click the selector arrows beside Front reference and Back reference and select two points or vertices to serve as references for the depth. Enter a value for the Depth.
• Center & Depth—Click the selector arrow beside Center reference and select a point or vertex. Enter a value for the Depth.