Third world brake rotor manufacturing video

[atikovi]

At the beginning where they break up a cast iron V8 engine block for the scrap metal with sledge hammers, you think the final product won't be acceptable even in a Yugo. At the end of the video, the rotors look fairly decent. Now you know where Advance and Auto Zone get their brake parts from.

 

[64bawagon]

It always makes me cringe when I see these type videos, no safety glasses and walking around that filthy place with flip flops on

 

[atikovi]

It always makes me cringe when I see these type videos, no safety glasses and walking around that filthy place with flip flops on

Or bare feet.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

It always makes me cringe when I see these type videos, no safety glasses and walking around that filthy place with flip flops on

True yet the sales prices of these products have a place in the marketplace.

 

[FowVay]

Slap a Brembo sticker on it and put it in a fancy box and rake in the profits!

 

[Kira]

Anyone notice the Louisiana tee shirt?
LOVED the kiln "doors".
I noticed no cast-in markings, such as, "Min. thickness" or name or part number.
LOVED the furnace.
What do we suppose the releasing powder (in the cloth bag) is?
I was flinching and covering my eyes during every lathe scene.

 

[DukeOfFrontenac]

If they had run those engines with the wrong spec oil the blocks would have just crumbled in their bare hands.

 

[Hall]

I noticed no cast-in markings, such as, "Min. thickness" or name or part number.

They punch those in later, I suspect, and depending on the "name" of the box they end up in, those values may vary.

I only made it about halfway through, so do they machine them as well or was this just the casting process ? You mention a lathe so I guess they do machining too.

 

[Hall]

no safety glasses and walking around that filthy place with flip flops on

Just finished watching that.... The "pour" process was quite enlightening. I worked for a pump manufacturer and we had a foundry on site that made many of our castings. I didn't work in the foundry but have been there when they do pours. Everything within 30 yards of the pouring stops, a siren signals it will be starting soon, no one is allowed near, etc and the few guys doing the pour are fully suited up in flame-retardant suits, arm-length flame-retardant sleeves, head protection with mirrored visors, etc, etc. Just a little bit different than what these guys do !!

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Anyone notice those rotors didn't have a hole drilled for the set screw? I'm guessing they serve the local market.

 

[atikovi]

Anyone notice those rotors didn't have a hole drilled for the set screw? I'm guessing they serve the local market.

At 20:25 why are they tapping the bolt holes?

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

At 20:25 why are they tapping the bolt holes?

excellent point

 

[atikovi]

May not be automotive?

 

[tom in boise]

I shudder at all the safety concerns, but I am impressed at how tough all these guys are. Swinging a sledge hammer all day. Way impressive.

 

[Kira]

Actually, I was wondering why they didn't have some kind of screw/expansion tool for breaking the engines apart.
It could still be a low tech tool.

They also appeared to mix differing scrap to make their metal.

 

[thastinger]

OSHA compliant steel toe Jesus sandals

 

[Hall]

At 20:25 why are they tapping the bolt holes?

Notice how he chamfers and taps the holes completely manually too ? At least the blind holes were done using a jig.

 

[tcp71]

Plenty of cars use bolts to mount the wheels.

Wheel Studs Versus Wheel Bolts: What's the Difference?

The advantages and disadvantages of having one or the other.

www.roadandtrack.com

At 20:25 why are they tapping the bolt holes?

 

[BHopkins]

Yea, the safety measure, or lack thereof, always blows me away when I watch these videos. All the risks people like this take, so that someone like us can buy a cheap price leader rotor, and keep money in our pocket for when the latest iPhone model comes out.

I missed the part where they cast a small ingot, to do metallurgical analysis, before casting the rotors. I did notice that they tossed in some material, other than the scrap metal, so they are making some effort to get the right metallurgical makeup.

 

[benjy]

reading reveals that ALMOST ALL brake rotors are chinese cast, some better than others + of course final machineing matters. i like + buy UK made rotors that are said to use better iron for a better rotor!!