Products in the engine
Camshafts
Wear-resistant cams for long, powerful engine life
In order to cope with high bending and torsional stresses over a long period of time, the camshafts from our product range offer high strength values. Forged steel shafts are mainly used in the utility vehicle sector.
General
As the most important control element in the valve train, the camshaft decisively determines the timing and volume of gas exchanges in the cylinder – essential parameters for engine concentricity and power delivery. It is driven by the drive pulley through the crankshaft and controls the engine's valve train. It ensures that the intake and exhaust valves open and close at the predetermined time. The opening period, valve stroke and motion during opening and closing are determined by the shape of the cam.
Our product range comprises approximately 500 shafts with around 30 new developments per year.
High quality is ensured through the use of state-of-the-art measurement methods with 3D coordinate measuring devices and 3D scanners, as well as through material testing, development and incoming goods inspection.
- Reverse engineering – numerous product groups (pistons, connecting rods, plain bearings)
- Access to detailed product know-how from the Rheinmetall Group's OE development
- Preparation of drawings with tolerances specified according to OE specifications
- Developments according to customer specifications
- Creation of comparison measurements and their corresponding measurement reports
- Material analyses in-house
Overhead camshafts
Where camshafts are overhead, the valves are opened directly by the cams via the tappets, rocker arms or finger type rockers. Overhead camshafts are used only with multiple cylinder heads.
On engine designs that have two camshafts (DOHC), one shaft actuates the intake valves and the other shaft actuates the exhaust valves. To ensure maximum fill, the cam stroke of the intake camshaft is typically greater than the stroke of the outlet camshaft.
Composite camshafts
This model consists of a tube and individually pressed-on cams.
By using specific materials for individual components, these camshafts are 20 to 40 percent lighter, yet can still withstand very high dynamic torques.
Bottom-mounted camshafts
In bottom-mounted camshafts, the tappets and valve push rods transfer the stroke of the camshaft to the rocker arms.
This model is mainly used in engines for utility vehicles with forged steel camshafts.
Combined camshafts
Three cams for PLD fuel injection systems:
- Intake cam
- Outlet cam
- Cam for driving the pumps or the pump nozzle units
To avoid damage caused by interacting sliding parts that have become worn, camshafts should always be replaced together with their associated interacting sliding parts. The associated valve actuating elements such as tappets, rocker arms, finger-type rockers or valve compensating elements are offered separately by Motorservice.
Further information
Bottom-mounted camshafts
Where camshafts are bottom-mounted, the tappets and push rods transfer the stroke of the camshaft to the rocker arms. The rocker arms push open the valves against the force of the valve springs.
| 1 Valve-spring |
| 2 Valve |
| 3 Rocker arm |
| 4 Push rod |
| 5 Tappet |
| 6 Camshaft |
Camshaft accessories
- Camshafts should always be replaced at the same time as their interacting sliding parts, to prevent damage due to wear of the latter.
- The associated valve actuating elements (interacting sliding parts), such as tappets, rocker arms and hydraulic valve lifters, are available separately.