Carbon this and carbon that is the buzz word of the performance automotive industry — carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber wheels, bodies, and suspension components, the list goes on. Jumping on the band wagon isn’t just an effort to keep pace with consumers’ wants, it’s in line with technological advancements in manufacturing and materials.

Tilton Engineering has been at the forefront of power transfer systems and driver controls, bridging markets from LeMans to Baja and equipping race vehicles with clutches, pedals, and braking systems to suit their specific needs.

In this video we see a brief glimpse of the manufacturing process that goes into creating one of their carbon racing clutches. According to the Tilton site, “Tilton Engineering invented the carbon/carbon racing clutch — and patented the drive system — in the mid-80s. It was the first carbon/carbon clutch ever to win a Formula One Grand Prix.”

In the time lapse of seconds we see the product of hours of time spent at computers and in manufacturing cells. Starting with a computer drafting of clutch basket we catch a look at some finite element analysis (FEA) evaluation before changing programs to sculpt the parts with milling tool paths which articulate their way around the work holding tombstone.

In side the CNC mill/lathe combo we see aluminum chips getting hewn from the billet and holes being bores. After the numerous holds required to complete the basket it proceeds to make its way to a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) to check tolerances and ensure a level of high quality control.

The actual carbon friction surfaces are check for consistency of thickness to ensure even engagement and finally installed in the basket, steel, friction plate assembly. With a complete unit the clutch can be “dyno tested” similarly to the way a shock absorber or coil spring would be tested. After this final seal of approval and a little packaging this performance carbon clutch can be out the door and on its way to helping your race car clamp all the power and put it to the ground.