Inventors:
John H. Buechel - Lincoln Park MI
Mohannad A. Labadi - Dearborn MI
Assignee:
Kelsey-Hayes Company - Livonia MI
International Classification:
F16D 6510
Abstract:
An improved structure for a brake rotor and method for producing the same wherein the brake rotor includes a mounting flange and a pair of opposed friction plates spaced apart from one another by a plurality of intermediate fins. The friction plates have generally parallel outwardly facing surfaces adapted to be frictionally engaged by a pair of brake pads of the disc brake assembly. Each of the friction plates defines an outer plate diameter and an inner plate diameter. At least one of the friction plates includes a pair of asymmetrically spaced apart cuts formed therein. The cuts extend radially inwardly from the outer plate diameter toward the inner plate diameter. One method for producing the brake rotor of this invention includes the steps (a) providing a rotor including a mounting flange and a pair of opposed friction plates spaced apart from one another by a plurality of intermediate fins, the friction plates having generally parallel outwardly facing surfaces adapted to be frictionally engaged by a pair of brake pads of the disc brake assembly; (b) positioning the rotor on a first cutting machine, the first cutting machine including a fixture for rotatably supporting the rotor and a cutting tool supported relative to the fixture and movable in a generally radial direction relative to the fixture, the cutting tool having a tool end; (c) operating the first cutting machine to machine a groove in the outwardly facing surfaces of the friction plates by selectively controlling the first cutting machine to produce a finish machined rotor; (d) positioning the rotor on a second cutting machine; and (e) operating the second cutting machine to machine a pair of asymmetrically spaced apart cuts in at least one of the friction plates.