The lightweight construction of vehicle components is a key method to reduce the energy consumption of passenger cars in use and thus contributes to meeting the specified CO2 targets. However, function and cost also play a crucial role in the development of components. Thus, the best compromise must be found for each component. Especially brake calipers must have a high stiffness with the lowest possible weight. The aim of this paper is therefore to find design changes that reduce the weight of a caliper without reducing the stiffness.

Falko Wagner, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Germany; Ralph Mayer, Lutz Pander, Gernot Sprandel