To get the most out of your vehicles, and to make sure the right repairs and maintenance are performed, it pays off to know a little about how your car works. The crankshaft is considered one of the most important parts of the engine. According to Auto Guru, the term crankshaft goes back to the early 20th century when car engines had to be started with a crank handle. Even though this isn’t the way vehicles operate today, the term is still used. Some even say that the modern crankshaft is the heart of the vehicle because your car just won’t work without it. Let’s learn about how the crankshaft works.

Understanding the Crankshaft

So, what is the crankshaft anyway? This part of the engine is a rotating shaft that is driven by a crank mechanism. This mechanical unit facilitates the transformation of the linear movement of the piston into the rotating motion needed to move the vehicle. This part of the engine is important because it’s a vital component in the vehicle’s power transmission system.

It works by using the connecting rod to convert the reciprocating motion of the pistons into a rotating one. A rotary motion is needed to move the flywheel, which, in turn, moves the wheels. The crankshaft is quite literally the reason the car can move. Let’s look more in-depth at each part of the process and this will help you better understand the need for professional crankshaft machining and precision.

Piston Motion

The first step of the crankshaft process is the downward motion of the piston. The piston must move from the top dead center to the bottom. This is how the initial motion is transferred to the crankshaft.

Motion Transformation

Following this, the motion is transformed from the piston's linear motion into a rotary motion. The crankshaft is responsible for this. Rotary motion is necessary to make a vehicle move. The motion moves on to the camshaft.

Compression and Ignition

From the camshaft, the crankshaft will then facilitate the opening of the inlet valve. This allows the entrance of an air-fuel mixture. Once this has entered the engine, combustion is possible. When the combustion chamber is full, the piston moves from the bottom to the top in another upward motion. This compresses the air-fuel mixture. This allows for ignition, flywheel movement, and motion of the vehicle.

Precision is necessary to ensure that every aspect of the crankshaft operation is correct. Professional crankshaft machining helps make this possible. If you’re looking for professional machining services, please contact Effingham Regrinding Inc today.