Oliver Hagenlocher

The design and development of coated brake discs are becoming increasingly important in the automotive industry. The main driver behind this shift is the need to reduce brake dust emissions, as mandated by international regulations like GTR 24 and the Euro 7 standard. These regulations set strict limits on particulate emissions (PM10): capping them at 7 mg/km for passenger cars and as low as 3 mg/km for electric vehicles. These standards will be enforced across the European Union starting in November 2027, with a similar regulation expected to take effect in China between 2028 and 2030 under the National 7 standard.

To meet these emission targets, manufacturers are increasingly turning to coated brake discs, with Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) emerging as a promising technology. However, the precision required to manufacture these complex components presents significant challenges. The key to achieving high-quality, cost-effective brake discs lies in the coordination between the laser coating process and the subsequent grinding process.