What is a monobloc brake caliper?

Than monobloc caliper better than the usual dvuhsotletnego?

You’ve probably heard about car brake calipers made from a single piece of metal without the use of bolts and other fastening and connecting elements, so-called monoblock design. But why do these brakes? Do they have advantages in comparison with usual brake designs of the machines that connect several longitudinal halves? Can be monoblock caliper is just an expensive waste of money?

Perhaps the installation of monobloc brakes, it is a really expensive way to mindlessly part with “excess” money. At least in this we are trying to convince many notes on forums and portals dedicated to cars and motorsports. But a reasonable question arises, why the producers of her new more powerful and fast sports cars often put it monoblock brakes? Then this has certain preferences, which other things being equal something must give. Don’t work there

What is the difference and what gives monobloc caliper?

In order to find out, first, we need to look at the structure of traditional mnogomernogo brake calipers that are put on many cars, from Mercedes to Fiat. Since the brake machine squeezes two brake pads – one per side – the system shall have two front, “mirror” parts, each of which will stand one or several pistons.

Inside the brake cars, special relief holes will do the brake fluid, which, when pressing on the brake pedal will actuate the pistons, increasing the pressure in the system.

The easiest way to make a brake – to bind the two halves of the bolt – work of the so-called “two-piece drop calipers”. Fairly simple to manufacture, inexpensive but very effective tool for any car.

Conventional two-piece brake caliper. Pay attention to the seam, in the middle and the bolts connecting the two parts together

The only problem is that this design initially received significant drawback which comes because of the composite nature of the downhillers. Part of the energy (a small part of the input energy) is wasted, because the force of the piston pushing on the pad is making efforts not only for braking, but in order to make both parts of the caliper to go individually to the sides.

The created effect is known in literature as “caliper flex”. That is the caliper as it begins to “play” in fractions of a millimeter, but this is enough to reduce the braking force, the deterioration of modulation and uneven pad wear. All this affects the braking distance. It will increase.

To somehow neutralize the negative effect of the “softness” of support for the sports cars do mnogovolnovye variations: four -, six – and even eight piston models. This allows you to evenly distribute the braking force over the entire area of the brake caliper, not allowing it to bend so much, the second slightly increase the power that in the end improves braking performance.

One of the most effective solutions to the problem of “flexible” calipers was the creation of a one-piece downhillers. Made from a single piece of material monolithic caliper is much more difficult to manufacture, requires a more precise tool, more high technologies and processing quality, because of the extremely small distances between the left and right side of the downhillers, slotting necessary technological holes under the pistons and brake fluid is not so easy.

But, this kind of design of the brakes will be – at least in theory – more powerful and more resistant to bending. Hello, improved braking and more even pad wear!

When machining such a technologically advanced components are mainly used CNC machine tools, is the typical treatment option of such a brake caliper. However, tested unconventional production.

Bugatti, for example, uses 3D printing prototypes of their new giant brake calipers for Chiron. This is the largest titanium caliper ever installed on a car. The technology is very expensive and slow. Each brake machine are processed within 45 hours, during which one after another 2.213 superimposed layers of titanium powder, raspadaetsya with a laser, then thermoablative and polished.

The result is such a brilliant beautiful detail:

All-in-ones are perfect for well-equipped producers such as Ferrari, Bugatti, and Lamborghini. In the world of racing and motorsports they can be seen more and more often. But whether they are for everyday driving the ordinary motorist?

This is not a question that can be easily answered, without delving into the specific circumstances, it is unlikely you’ll feel any improvements. If funds are limited, upgrade pads would be seriously more efficient than replacing all of the brake mechanisms.