Casting Connecting Rod

The Casting connecting rod is the part of a piston engine that connects the pistons to the crankshaft. Together with the crank, the connecting rod converts the reciprocating motion of the piston into rotation of the crankshaft.  A connecting rod is needed to transmit the compression and tension of the piston. In its most common form, in an internal combustion engine, it allows pivoting at the piston end and rotation at the shaft end.

The predecessor of the connecting rod is the mechanical linkage used by the water mill to convert the rotary motion of the waterwheel into reciprocating motion.

Connecting rods are designed to withstand high loads and pressures from combustion, piston movement, and compressive and tensile forces. They also need to be durable, have structural integrity, and be able to absorb shock and act as a shock absorber. Connecting rods are commonly made from cast aluminum alloy or drop-forged, heat-treated steel. Each end of the rod is bored, with the smaller top end connecting to the piston pin and the larger bottom end split in half and bolted to the crankshaft. Some diesel engine connecting rods also have a hole drilled down the center to allow lubrication oil to flow from the crankshaft to the piston.