Bugatti 3D Prints a Fully Functioning Brake Caliper
Serious achievements in 3D printing, over the last 10 years have changed capacities of products manufacturing and distribution in many industrial directions. The auto business has also shown interest in 3D printing. Automakers use this innovative solution for pilot production and end use of auto parts. Bugatti came up with a pioneering 8-piston mono-block brake caliper.
It is claimed to be the 1-st 3D printed brake caliper as well as the largest caliper in the auto business. This product was designed jointly with Laser Zentrum Nord. It has been printed over the course of 45 hours from a titanium-base alloy with the help of SLM system. This titanium caliper provides superior performance rates (tensile strength = 1,250 N/mm2) and lower weight in comparison with aluminum analogs. Not too long ago it was almost unfeasible to produce titanium calipers, due to problems with parts forging from a titanium block. But 3D printing addresses this issue and allows engineers to design various components from titanium resulting in more sophisticated products.
