Microstructuring of variable cam geometries – Derivation of kinematic requirements of the micro- structuring variable cam geometries. The minimization of wear and friction in combustion engines is one essential way for fuel-efficient and low-emission mobility. One approach for the optimization of highly loaded sliding contacts such as the cam-tappet tribological system is a defined structure of the surface. This is striven for by machining processes with defined cutting edge. The paper presents the procedure for deriving kinetic requirements and the minimization of processing time while realizing surface structures for variable cam geometries.