CAMSHAFT VS CRANKSHAFT: Exclusive Differences

Introduction to Camshaft

A camshaft is rod-shaped mechanical equipment that is mainly used in the conversion of rotational motion to linear motion. It is made up of a combination of a rod and pointed cams.

When the rods rotate, the different cams engaged with them also move and the shaft connected to this cam started moving linearly.

One of the real-life examples of the application of a camshaft is the opening and closing valve of an internal combustion engine.

camshaft

Figure: 1: figure of Camshaft

In an Inter combustion engine, there are mainly four valve that are required for simultaneous operation. Hence, the camshaft with different pointed cams are required to perform this operation and each cam is connected with each valve.

As the four-pointed cams are set at different angles, when the rod rotates, the point of different shafts are moved upward and pushed the shaft connected with it.

In this way, the camshafts are used in the IC engines to transform the rotational motion to linear motion rapidly.

Materials used for manufacturing a Camshaft

Generally, medium carbon steel having 0.25- 0.6 % carbon is used in making a camshaft. One of the main reasons behind choosing this material is that this material has a low hardenability and high toughness. Due to these qualities, this material is selected so that the legibility of the camshaft will be high.

Introduction to Crankshaft

A crankshaft is a piece of mechanical equipment that is used in the conversion of reciprocating motion to rotational motion. A crank mechanism is used in driving this shaft.

It is mainly used in IC engines to convert the reciprocating movement of valves of engines to rotational motion. It is considered the backbone of IC engines as the rotation of its engine is not possible without this.

crankshaft

Figure 2: Figure of Crankshaft

In an IC engine, it is mainly used to convert the reciprocating motion of the valves of the engine into rotational motion.

Due to ignition in the engine, the valves of the engine start moving upward and downward and this crankshaft turns this motion into rotational motion or torque which is used to drive the vehicles.

If the crankshaft is absent in a vehicle, the engine will fail to deliver the output power. Hence, it is called the backbone of IC engines as the operation of the engines is not possible in the absence of this tool.

The material used in making the crankshaft

Materials that have high dynamic load capacity are used in the manufacturing of a crankshaft as it has to bear the varying load at the time of operation of the engine.

On the flip side, if low dynamic load-carrying material is used in the making of the crankshaft, it will not be able to bear the load of the engine and break down.

Generally allows are used in the manufacturing of a crankshaft, the composition of the material used in making a crankshaft has been given in the table that has been shown below.

chemicals composition of materials used in making the alloy for Crankshaft

Figure 3: chemicals composition of materials used in making the alloy for the Crankshaft

Difference between Camshaft and Crankshaft

The crankshaft and camshaft both are the main components of an IC engine without which the power generation of the IC engine is not possible.

Both of them are used in IC engines but their operation is completely different. The difference between the camshaft and the crankshaft has been stated below as appropriate examples.

CamshaftCrankshaft
Camshafts are mainly employed to suction and discharge valves by reciprocating the pistons. The time sensing sensor is installed in this which helps to set the time for opening and discharge in the engine. There is a significant contribution of the camshaft in the timely opening and closing of the valve in an internal combustion engine.A camshaft is a mechanism that is mainly used in a machine to convert the reciprocating motion to rotational motion. In an IC engine, it is used to convert the power generated from the compression of fuels to torque and move it to the wheel of vehicles with the help of this Shaft.
Allow steel is used as a raw material in the manufacturing of a camshaft. One of the reasons behind choosing this material is that its durability and strength is high and the durability of the camshafts increasesCast iron or medium carbon steel is used in the manufacturing of the camshaft to improve its toughness. It has to carry to along with it so the material having ductile property is used for making a camshaft.

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·       This shaft is positioned above the cylinder.·       This shaft is positioned below the cylinder.
In an Internal combustion engine, it is installed to open and close the inlet and exhaust valve of the engine at an appropriate time. A sensor is also installed in this valve which shows the timing of the opening and closing of the valve. The time of opening and closing the valve can be modified through this sensor.In an Internal combustion engine or any other device, this shaft is installed to convert the reciprocating motion to a linear motion. If this shaft is absent in an engine, the engine will fail to generate power. Hence, this shaft is called the backbone of the IC engine.
The camshaft is rotated with the rotation of the timing belt which is attached to the crankshaft. It means the rotation of the camshaft is dependent on the crankshaft. If the crankshaft will not operate, the camshaft will also fail to operate. Hence, it is called that both the shafts are operated interconnected.When the combustion happens inside the engine, the piston is moved downward and the piston is connected to the point cams. Due to the motion of the upward or downward motion of the piston, it pushes the cams, and the shaft attached with the cam takes a rotation. In this way, the to and fro motion of the piston is converted to the rotational motion with the help of a crankshaft.
The camshaft rotates with the help of a crankshaft using a timing chain.The crankshaft rotates with the help of piston’s connecting rod.
With cam lobes installed on it, it is the shaft that rotates in time with the crankshaft.The shaft is what gives us the engine’s output. The connecting rod of the piston is what rotates it.

 

This is it for now for CAMSHAFT VS CRANKSHAFT. I hope this helps. If so, consider sharing with your friends and colleagues.

Before you go, Here are some suggested articles you should consider reading further-

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Thank you for being with me. I hope to see you in the next session.

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