Camshafts have been characterized as the apparatus which is used in the piston engines for operating the poppet valves. It encompasses of the cylindrical rod, which is running the length of the cylinder bank and have a number of oblong lobes or cans which protrude from it, one for every valve. The force generated by the cam opens the valves with its pressing or due to some other intermediate mechanism with their rotation. The first ever known camshafts and cam were discovered in Iraq and in year 1206 Al-Jazari described them. Later on in 14th century or earlier they were appeared in the European mechanism.
Positioning of CamshaftsOn the basis of the camshafts location, the cams either operate the valves directly or through the push rods and rockers linkages. Direct operation demands the simple mechanism and results into less chances of failures but camshafts are needed to be positioned on the cylinders top. In some engines 2 camshafts are used for intaking and exhausting of valves.
To source different types of Camshafts one can refer the list of manufacturers and Suppliers of Camshafts available at various online B2B Marketplaces.