Alcon Components Ltd, the Midlands, UK based acclaimed motorsport brake and clutch company, have launched a brand new bespoke armoured vehicle brake caliper. The new CIR55 has been designed and developed to fit 8×8 type military vehicles operating at 30-40+ tonne GVM. Offered to the global defence and security market, this caliper allows OEM’s, fleet managers, maintainers and vehicle modification companies to fit an off-the-shelf, military special brake system. The CIR55 significantly increases braking performance and reduces both weight and cost in comparison to existing alternatives.
Intended as a direct alternative to the current defence industry standard twin-caliper arrangement, the newly launched CIR55 brake Caliper features a custom designed eight-piston, four-pad configuration with an option for either 60mm or 64mm pistons. The caliper can be used on disc sizes between 400mm and 410mm and the centre split design allows caliper variants to be available for a variety of disc thicknesses. The fully hanging, high friction pads are fitted with an anti-rattle system and the caliper and seals are protected to cope with the harsh military environment.
Alcon expect the caliper to be used in a single-fit per wheel station configuration with a total of 8 calipers in use on a typical 8×8 armoured vehicle. It is also expected that the CIR55 could be used on heavy 6×6 and 4×4 military vehicles, where appropriate. The immediate benefits on offer are a weight reduction in the region of 50kg per vehicle, a cost reduction and improved cooling. The specific performance benefits when directly compared to the current market leading single-fit caliper solutions are: 11.5% larger piston area; 34% more pad area; 33% additional torque capacity; and all delivered with a 7% weight saving. The smaller swept profile of the CIR55 also means it can be fitted into a tighter space envelope.
The brake was developed in cooperation with AxleTech International LLC, whose extensive experience in the design, manufacturing and application of military products, contributed to an optimal design. The brake is planned to be offered as part of AxleTech`s brake portfolio under the Hydraulic Disc Brake family HD860 series.
Visitors to the DSEi exhibition will be able to view the Alcon CIR55/AxleTech HD860 brake among AxleTech’s products on stand N5-150 at the show, taking place in London, 12-15 September 2017. Alcon staff will also be in attendance and will be available for meetings, on appointment.
Already firmly established in the light to medium military vehicle marketplace, Alcon braking solutions have been sought out by some of the world’s finest Special Forces vehicle manufacturers. Amongst other key defence players, Supacat, the designers of the Jackal vehicle, BAe, Ricardo and Jankel have turned to Alcon to obtain bespoke, tailored braking systems that fully meet the demanding requirements of the challenging, high-performance, modern-day battlefield. The development of the CIR55 is a step-change in Alcon’s strategy and will see them move up into the heavy end of the military vehicle market.
Jonathan Edwards, Sales Director at Alcon said: “we’ve been very successful in the light to medium military vehicle market to date but this new caliper takes us into a heavier capability area that allows us to offer bespoke solutions across the entire spectrum of military vehicles all the way up to 40+ tonne variants”. He added: “we’ve learned that the braking systems currently in use on military 8×8’s can be somewhat ‘agricultural’ so using the technology and capabilities we’ve developed in motorsport allows us to offer significant performance benefits to the military market, including crucial weight savings. Our automotive production experience allows us to deliver quality and value for money to our customers, globally”.