ThyssenKrupp expands automotive camshaft production in Chemnitz
September 13, 2013
ThyssenKrupp is building a new production facility for assembled camshafts at its Chemnitz plant, Saxony, Germany. Sven Morlok, Saxony’s State Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Transport, and Petra Wesseler, the Mayoress of Chemnitz responsible for urban development and construction, took part in a groundbreaking ceremony in July 2013. Construction work is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
Frank Riemer-Keller, managing director of ThyssenKrupp Presta Chemnitz said that the company has been producing assembled camshafts in Chemnitz since 2007 and has recently succeeded in winning new customers and securing order growth not only in the production of assembled camshafts for car engines, but also for the manufacture of assembled truck camshafts.
Camshafts are an essential component of an internal combustion engine. They are responsible for the intake of air for the combustion process and evacuation of exhaust gases from the engine block. ThyssenKrupp has six production sites around the world in Germany, Liechtenstein, China and the USA turning out over 25 million camshafts a year. Two further plants in China and Brazil are currently under construction.
The company claims to be the world market leader in assembled camshafts and is continuously optimising this established technology in line with the latest findings and requirements. Compared with conventional one-piece cast camshafts, assembled camshafts made from different materials are lighter and stronger offering weight savings of 40% compared with a conventional camshaft.
Assembled camshafts can use powder metallurgy components such as cam lobes, target/sensor rings, and bearing journals, depending on the properties requirement for specific engine applications.