Camshaft vs. Crankshaft

Camshaftnoun

A shaft fitted with cams; especially one in a piston engine that activates the valves.

Camshaftnoun

a shaft that has cams attached to it, forming part of a mechanical device.

Camshaftnoun

has cams attached to it

Camshaft

A camshaft is a rotating object— usually made of metal— that contains pointed cams, which converts rotational motion to reciprocal motion. Camshafts are used in internal combustion engines (to operate the intake and exhaust valves), mechanically controlled ignition systems and early electric motor speed controllers.

Crankshaftnoun

A rotating shaft that drives (or is driven by) a crank.

Crankshaftnoun

a rotating shaft driven by (or driving) a crank

Crankshaft

A crankshaft is a shaft driven by a crank mechanism, consisting of a series of cranks and crankpins to which the connecting rods of an engine is attached. It is a mechanical part able to perform a conversion between reciprocating motion and rotational motion.