A decade ago, Kevin Czinger’s direct-metal laser-sintering technology was still in its infancy. Now, his company has debuted a groundbreaking brake assembly that combines the caliper, upright, and hydraulic passages into one topology-optimized unit, showcasing the potential of additive manufacturing in the automotive industry.
Czinger’s approach to showcasing its technology has been to create its own car, a hybrid with tandem seating that boasts impressive performance capabilities. However, it’s the engineering that truly sets the vehicle apart, with an organic-looking structure that is both lighter and more efficient than traditional designs.
The latest innovation from Czinger is the BrakeNode, an integrated brake assembly made from the company’s aluminum alloy. This single structure replaces the traditional caliper, upright, and hydraulic passages, resulting in a significant reduction in unsprung mass. Compared to a standard brake assembly, the BrakeNode is up to 30 percent lighter.
The BrakeNode made its production debut on the Czinger 21C Spyder, where it reduces unsprung mass by an additional 6 lbs (2.7 kg) compared to the previous 21C’s suspension upright. Czinger claims that the BrakeNode is also easier to service than conventional brake assemblies, with a drain plug at the bottom, pads that slot in at the top, and rotors that tilt outward from the sides, eliminating the need to disconnect the caliper.
The new BrakeNodes are standard on the 21C Spyder, with only 30 units to be produced. However, they can also be optioned on the 21C HDF and 21C VMax, and existing 21C owners can have them retrofitted, according to Czinger.
The introduction of the BrakeNode technology on the 21C Spyder marks a significant milestone for Czinger, demonstrating the potential of additive manufacturing to revolutionize the automotive industry.
