Learn what an engine crankshaft is, how it works, and what the purpose of the crankshaft is. Know about its parts, design, advantages, and disadvantages. The crankshaft is fitted into the engine block through it’s main journals. The connecting rods are fixed on the conrod journals of the crankshaft. On opposite sides of the conrod journals the crankshaft has counterweights which compensates outer moments, minimises internal moments and thus reduces vibration amplitudes and bearing stresses.. At one end of the crankshaft the flywheel is connected and on the other end the valve timing gearing. The crankshaft is the first rotating component in a reciprocating engine that is driven by a single or multiple reciprocating pistons. It is also found in several applications that involve the conversion between rotating and reciprocating motion. Learn about the crankshaft, a shaft that converts reciprocating motion to rotary motion or vice versa. Find out the types, diagram, function, material, design procedure and stresses of crankshaft.