Czinger has unveiled its new BrakeNode, an integrated brake assembly combining caliper, upright, and hydraulic fluid passages into a single structure. This topology-optimized component, made using additive manufacturing, reduces unsprung mass by up to 30 percent compared to standard brake assemblies.
Czinger's BrakeNode represents a significant advancement in automotive engineering by integrating multiple components into a single, lighter, and more serviceable part through additive manufacturing, potentially influencing future vehicle design and performance.
Czinger has unveiled its new BrakeNode, an integrated brake assembly that combines the caliper, upright, and passages for hydraulic fluid into a single structure. This innovation utilizes topological design and additive manufacturing with Czinger's aluminum alloy. The company claims the BrakeNode can reduce unsprung mass by up to 30 percent, and specifically by 6 lbs (2.7 kg) on the 21C Spyder. Czinger also states the BrakeNode is designed for easier servicing than conventional brake assemblies, with features like a drain plug for bleeding fluid and pads that slot in from the top. The new brakes are standard on the 30 Czinger 21C Spyders that will be produced and can also be optioned on the 21C HDF and 21C VMax, or retrofitted to existing 21C models. The company's use of direct-metal laser sintering technology was first encountered a decade ago when it was still Divergent 3D, which now has clients in the automotive and aerospace sectors.