In　the　synthesis　of　planar　cam　mechanisms,　the　designer　should　check　the　pressure　angle　and　radius　of　curvature　of　the　cam　profile　which　involve　burdensome　mathematical　derivation　and　calculation.　In　order　to　simplify　the　mathematical　derivation　and　calculation,　the　kinematic　analysis　of　a　binary　link　chain　is　carried　out　and　the　results　are　then　used　to　synthesize　the　planar　cam　mechanism　with　translating　roller　follower,　including　the　calculation　of　cam　profile,　pressure　angle　and　radius　of　curvature　of　the　cam　profile.　A　numerical　example　is　given　to　verify　the　effectiveness　of　the　method.　©　Springer　Nature　Singapore　Pte　Ltd.　2017.