The crankshaft is the most important component of the engine. It takes the force from the connecting rod and converts it into torque, which is output through the crankshaft and drives other accessories on the engine. The crankshaft is affected by the centrifugal force of the rotating mass, the periodically changing gas inertia force and the reciprocating inertia force, causing the crankshaft to be subject to bending and torsional loads.