New Technology for Compact Caliper A new Dedicated Concept Introduced by Brembo

Out of the innovation and technological development stimulated by motorsport competitions comes Flexira, a new high performance aluminum caliper concept, that overcomes the limit of the reduced space inside the wheel typical of compact cars.

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The same guarantee of safe and high performance braking that was previously the exclusive domain of high end and sports vehicles which represent Brembo's natural market, is now available to manufacturers of high volume production cars with much less extreme characteristics.

The major obstacle for the application of fixed calipers in compact vehicles has always been the lack of space between the disc and the wheel due to the size of the vehicle and the particular architecture of the suspension systems used in these segments. This technology was conceived and developed to be able to be inserted in tight spaces, maintaining the functionality and performance typical of a fixed caliper, but at the same time having dimensions similar to those of a floating caliper.

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Aluminum is the reference metal, gravity cast in a specific alloy using shells; only on the external side of the caliper are the steel inserts added to this (called “sleeves”, in mechanical jargon), which increase the characteristics of mechanical strength, reducing the axial bulk of the caliper. These cylindrical inserts can be seen on the front surface of the calipers where the logo is usually applied.

The Brembo compact caliper has 38 and 42 mm diameter pistons; a pad with a 72 cm² surface and 11 mm thick friction material.

This patented solution, guarantees a significant reduction in mass compared to the cast iron floating calipers normally used on vehicles in segments A, B and C. This significant reduction of the vehicle’s unsprung weight allows fuel consumption and polluting emissions to be reduced, at the same time increasing the vehicle's dynamic efficiency and reducing moments of inertia.

With the introduction of this new compact caliper concept, Brembo has succeeded in combining dimensional optimisation with lightweight and design, taking a decisive step forward with respect to the products that it aims to replace.

This article is based on a press release by Brembo SpA.

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