Brake Camshaft

What is Brake Camshaft

The brake camshaft is a part of the brake linkage for heavy duty truck air brakes. The camshaft is the component responsible for spreading the brake shoes apart. In air brake systems, the brake chamber expands and the operating rod pushes on the (brake) slack adjuster. As the operating rod pushes on the slack adjuster, it rotates around the shaft of the S-Cam. When the camshaft is rotated the eccentric shape of the cam head pushes the brake shoes apart. The brake shoes separate and cause friction between the brake lining and the brake drum. It is this friction that slows and stops the vehicle.

Advantages of Brake Camshaft

Efficient and reliable
Brake camshafts are highly efficient and reliable. They provide a smooth and consistent operation of the braking system, ensuring that the vehicle comes to a stop quickly and safely. The design of the camshaft is such that it provides the necessary force to the brake shoes, without requiring any external power source. This means that the braking system is completely self-contained and does not rely on any other system to function.

Low maintenance
Brake camshafts are designed to require minimal maintenance. They are made from durable materials and are built to withstand the rigors of daily use. The simplicity of their design means that they have fewer moving parts than other types of brake systems, reducing the risk of failure due to wear and tear. This translates into lower maintenance costs for the vehicle owner, making brake camshaft systems a cost-effective option for any vehicle.

Reduce noise
Brake camshafts have a unique design that helps to reduce the noise generated during the operation of the braking system. The camshaft controls the movement of the brake shoes, promoting a smooth and quiet operation. This is beneficial for both the driver and passengers in the vehicle, as it provides a more comfortable driving experience.

Better control
Brake camshafts provide better control over the braking system. The camshaft is designed to provide a more precise movement of the brake shoes, allowing for a finer level of control over the braking process. This enhanced control allows the vehicle to be brought to a stop in a shorter distance, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall safety on the road.

More durable
Brake camshafts are designed to be more durable than other types of braking systems. They are made from high-quality materials that can withstand the harsh conditions of daily use. This durability means that the brakes are less likely to fail, providing peace of mind for the driver and passengers in the vehicle.

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Why Choose US

Our Factory

Fuhui Auto Parts Co., Ltd is located in the famous hometown of oversea Chinese-Quanzhou city of Fujian Province. Founded in 1986, Fuhui is a high-new technology company which is professional in R&D and manufacturing auto parts and engineering machine parts.

Our Product

Our main products are brake camshafts(S-camshafts) and equilizer pin for the axles of heavy trucks, semi-trailer, trailer and passenger car.

Our Certificate

The company through the IATF16949:2016 International Quality Management System Certification. Our self-invented new CNC convex wheel milling machine gained rewords and won the Paris International Silver Trophy on the 7th International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products, Kunshan.

Our Service

We always stick to the concept of " Quality First, Credit First", and offer high quality products with reasonable price and considerate service for customers. We sincerely welcome new and old customers at home and abroad to contact us and seek cooperation for mutual benefits.

Types of Brake Camshaft

Standard brake camshaft
A standard brake camshaft is the most commonly used type of brake camshaft in buses. It is designed to work with a variety of different brake systems and is a reliable and cost-effective option.

Slack adjuster brake camshaft
A slack adjuster brake camshaft is a more advanced type of brake camshaft that is designed to automatically adjust the brakes as they wear down. This helps to ensure that the brakes always have the optimal amount of pressure and can help to reduce maintenance costs over time.

Air brake camshaft
An air brake camshaft is specifically designed for use with air brake systems. It is a highly reliable option that is built to withstand high pressures and can help to provide excellent stopping power.

Hydraulic brake camshaft
A hydraulic brake camshaft is designed for use with hydraulic brake systems. It uses hydraulic fluid to control the brakes and offers excellent stopping power and control.

How Brake Camshafts Work

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Brake Camshaft

When choosing a brake camshaft for your bus, there are several important factors that you should consider. These include:

Compatibility

It is essential to choose a brake camshaft that is compatible with your bus's brake system. Different brake systems require different types of brake camshafts, so it is essential to choose the right one for your particular application.

Quality and reliability

The quality and reliability of the brake camshaft are also critical factors to consider. A high-quality brake camshaft will be made from durable materials and will be designed to withstand the rigors of bus use. It should also be reliable and not require frequent maintenance or repairs.

Stopping power

The stopping power of the brake camshaft is also important. It should be able to provide strong and consistent stopping power, even in emergency situations.

Cost

Cost is always a factor when choosing any part for your bus. While it is essential to choose a high-quality brake camshaft, you also want to make sure that it is affordable and fits within your budget.

Applications of Brake Camshaft

Our Brake Camshaft for Trailer is suitable for a wide range of trailer applications, including:
Cargo Trailers: Our brake camshaft is ideal for cargo trailers used in transportation and logistics. It ensures safe and efficient loading and unloading of cargo.

Construction Trailers: Our Brake Camshaft is perfect for heavy-duty trailers used in construction sites. It provides reliable braking power, ensuring enhanced safety and performance.

Boat Trailers: Our brake camshaft is suitable for boat trailers used in marine environments, as it features corrosion-resistant properties.

Recreational Trailers: Our Brake Camshaft is ideal for recreational trailers and ensures a safe and enjoyable experience for users.

Materials for Making Car Camshafts

Camshafts come from quite a range of metals with the type of material used determining properties such as durability. Below is a list of materials camshafts you can consider:

Hardenable Iron

This material falls under grade 17 cast iron and it also consists of about 1% chrome to produce a range of 5-7% carbide. Hardenable iron can serve as a substitute for steel camshafts. It is applicable in areas where there is an overflow of oil.

Chilled Chrome Cast Iron

It also contains 1% chrome, like hardenable iron. This material is more compatible with the casting process of manufacturing camshafts and is suitable for manufacturing high-quality and large quantities of OHC operating camshafts. However, It’s more expensive than the other types of cast iron, it has strong resistance to unfavorable conditions.

Carbon Steel (EN8/EN9)

It is applicable for producing roller camshafts and hardened camshafts because of its excellent properties and hardened attributes.

Nitriding Steel (EN 40B)

EN 40B is the best option for camshafts. It is the steel version of chilled iron known for its hard surface finish and is one of the few lightweight automotive part materials.

Suitable Methods for Manufacturing Camshafts

There should be much consideration during camshafts production due to their functions. There are two manufacturing processes suitable for parts such as camshafts:

Casting
Casting is a popular metal-forming process that involves melting the metal and allowing it to cool in a die. In camshaft manufacturing, chilled cast iron is the basic material for manufacturing camshafts. Additionally, elements like copper, nickel, vanadium, silicon, and molybdenum can also serve as additional materials to improve its machinability and preserve its carbide attributes.
There are several types of casting: die casting, vacuum casting, sand casting, etc., and it is better to talk to a professional to avoid an unsuccessful operation.

CNC Machining
CNC machining is a subtractive method that involves using computer-controlled tools to remove part of a material and make a final product. It is also applicable in making gear, and cylinder heads, and is the better method in terms of meeting the appropriate design specifications. It uses various machine tools and techniques to create different designs of camshafts.

Structure of a Camshaft

The crankshaft is driven by a drive sprocket that is attached either permanently or detachably to the drive flange at the end of the camshaft. As an alternative to this arrangement, the second camshaft in DOHC engines may be driven by the first camshaft. In this case, the first camshaft is fitted with an additional driving wheel (usually a sprocket or gear).

Auxiliary units are driven with an additional driving flange or takeoff at the free end of the camshaft or, for example, by an eccentric or lift profile at some point along the camshaft. A trigger wheel (generating one or more pulses per revolution) may also be mounted on the camshaft in order to ascertain the angular position of a camshaft.

The cam comprises one section with a constant radius (base circle) and the lifting area (run-up and run-down ramps, cam flank, and cam nose). The difference between the base circle and the highest point on the cam represents the cam lift stroke, which is selected to be proportional to the desired kinematic valve stroke.

Systems with mechanical clearance adjustment faults in the cam’s base circle (deviations of the base circle from constant radius) have no effect on operational properties. A system with hydraulic valve play adjustment, by contrast, responds to every change in the base circle. Where there is a fault opposite the direction of movement, the hydraulic valve lifter compensates for this fault as valve play; in this case the valve stroke increases. If there is an error in the cam base circle in the lift direction, then the valve is already opened in the base circle segment because of the associated rise in force. This “pumping up” can, in extreme cases, result in complete loss of combustion chamber compression and engine failure.

Precautions for Using Brake Camshaft

Common faults of camshaft include abnormal wear, abnormal noise and fracture. Abnormal wear often occurs before abnormal noise and fracture.
(1)The camshaft is almost at the end of the engine lubrication system, so the lubrication condition is not optimistic. If the oil supply pressure of the oil pump is insufficient due to long service time, or the lubricating oil passage is blocked and the lubricating oil cannot reach the camshaft, or the tightening torque of the bearing cover fastening bolt is too large and the lubricating oil cannot enter the camshaft clearance, the camshaft will be abnormally worn.

(2)The abnormal wear of the camshaft will cause the gap between the camshaft and the bearing seat to increase, and the axial displacement will occur when the camshaft moves, resulting in abnormal noise. Abnormal wear will also cause the gap between the drive cam and the hydraulic tappet to increase, and the cam will collide with the hydraulic tappet when it is combined, resulting in abnormal noise.

(3)The camshaft sometimes has serious faults such as fracture. The common causes are hydraulic tappet fracture or serious wear, serious poor lubrication, poor camshaft quality and camshaft timing gear fracture.

(4)In some cases, the camshaft failure is caused by human factors, especially when the camshaft is not properly disassembled during engine maintenance. For example, when removing the camshaft bearing cover, use a hammer to forcefully knock it or use a screwdriver to pry it, or install the bearing cover in the wrong position, resulting in the mismatch between the bearing cover and the bearing seat, or the tightening torque of the fastening bolts of the bearing cover is too large. When installing the bearing cover, pay attention to the direction arrow and position number on the surface of the bearing cover, and tighten the fastening bolts of the bearing cover with a torque wrench in strict accordance with the specified torque.

FAQ

Q: Why is it called S-cam brakes?

A: Air pressure pushes the rod out, moving the slack adjuster, thus twisting the brake camshaft. This turns the S-cam (it is shaped like the letter “S”). The S-cam forces the brake shoes away from one another and presses them against the inside of the brake drum.

Q: How does an S-cam brake work?

A: The “S” cam brake is the most common type of foundation brake used on commercial vehicles with air brake systems. This is a drum brake that uses air brake chambers and linkage to press the brake shoes against the surface of the brake drum.

Q: What is a brake camshaft?

A: Brake camshafts are used in Simplex drum brakes. They serve to transfer the power generated by the pneumatic brake cylinder, via a slack adjuster, to both brake shoes.

Q: What causes brakes to cam over?

A: It means either your brake shoes are so far worn that you automatic slack adjusters turned the s cam to the point the rollers fell off the tip and returned to the lowest position (the problem with that is now that it has cammed over it cannot return and you have no brake on that axle.)

Q: How to tell the difference between left and right S-cams?

A: A right hand camshaft should have the groove on the right hand side. Other important factors when determining the correct S-Cam for your Truck or Trailer include counting the number of splines on the end of the shaft.

Q: Can an S-cam be used on either side?

A: Right- and left-hand S-cams can be used on either side of a vehicle. The S-cam is a component of the drum brake system in vehicles. It is responsible for applying pressure to the brake shoes, which in turn press against the brake drum to slow down or stop the vehicle.

Q: How to measure a brake camshaft?

A: Measure camshaft length. Measure from under the cam head to the beginning of the lock ring groove. 2. Locate camshaft length in the Camshaft Quick Identification Guide.

Q: What does a brake cam do?

A: The S-cam forces the brake shoes away from one another and presses them against the inside of the brake drum. When you release the brake pedal, the S-cam rotates back, and a spring pulls the brake shoes away from the drum, letting the wheels roll freely again.

Q: What connects the brake chamber and the S Cam?

A: The push rod is connected by a clevis and pin to a crank arm type lever called a 'slack adjuster'. This converts the pushing motion of the push rod from the brake chamber to a twisting motion of the brake camshaft and 'S' cams.

Q: What is the difference in camshafts?

A: Two major types of camshafts exist: flat tappet and roller. Within those categories are two options: solid or hydraulic—four variations in all. Tappets ride against the camshaft lobes—their movements open and close the valves.

Q: How do I know what camshaft to use?

A: Generally speaking, the longer the duration the higher the rpm range where the cam makes power. Short duration cams are good for low speed torque and throttle response while long duration cams are best or high revving engines that need to make lots of top end power.

Q: How do you calculate camshaft?

A: However, if you want to find the duration for the camshaft in your engine, you can calculate it.
Using a Dial Indicator and Degree Wheel, find the opening and closing points of the valves at 0.050 in. of lift. If the intake valve opens AFTER TDC, use a negative value.
Add the numbers together.
Add 180° to find duration.

Q: How do you inspect a camshaft?

A: Measure each camshaft journal in several places with a micrometer to determine if it is worn excessively. If any journal is 0.001 inch or more below the manufacturer's prescribed specifications, it should be replaced. The camshaft should also be checked for straightness with a dial indicator.

Q: Why is it called a camshaft?

A: A camshaft is a shaft that contains a row of pointed cams in order to convert rotational motion to reciprocating motion.

Q: How long should a camshaft last?

A: Camshafts should last the lifespan of the engine – at least 186,000 – 248,000 miles. Failing camshafts can lead to extensive and expensive engine damage which is why they need to be replaced immediately after failure symptoms have been identified.

Q: Where is a camshaft located?

A: What Is a Camshaft? Located in the “top end” of an engine, the camshaft is a critical part of the valve train that allows air and fuel to enter the combustion chamber (the space above a piston) and exhaust gases out after they burn.

Q: What is a brake camshaft?

A: Brake camshafts are used in Simplex drum brakes. They serve to transfer the power generated by the pneumatic brake cylinder, via a slack adjuster, to both brake shoes.

Q: How do cam operated brakes work?

A: The brake pedal is pressed, and all the same air brake functions take place. In the brake cylinder, the pressure builds until it is strong enough to push the cam. The cam then rotates, bringing up rollers that push the shoe out against the drum. The friction between the shoe lining and the drum slows the wheel.

Q: How do you test a camshaft?

A: Use an OBD-II scanner to retrieve any error codes related to the camshaft position sensor. Remove the sensor from the vehicle. Measure the resistance between the two connector terminals of the sensor, (terminals 1 and 2). If measured value is not within 1-4 kohms, replace the sensor.

Q: What are the parts of a camshaft?

A: Cam: This is the most important part of a camshaft.
Cam follower: the part of the camshaft that has been driven.
Driveshaft: This feature enables movement of the whole camshaft's structure, and we see it linked with a belt to another engine's part called the crankshaft or works autonomously.

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