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100 years of breaking new ground

discover how Carlisle brake & friction lead the way for a century of unstoppable progress _

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100-YEARS OF GROUND BRAKING INNOVATION 

For the past 100-years, Carlisle Brake & Friction has evolved from the development of a single friction material to an industry leading provider of off-highway brake systems and transmission friction solutions. 

From our humble beginnings developing transmission friction materials for the Ford Model T, to engineering brake assemblies for the world’s first generation of mine haul trucks – Carlisle continues to deliver cutting-edge technology for leading global OEM’s.    

Built upon a deep foundation of corporate values, driven by a team of brake and friction experts, and guided by a relentless desire to lead – Carlisle powers ahead. The 100-year legacy of progress continues.   

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S. K. WELLMAN: A PIONEER IN FRICTION TECHNOLOGY

Samuel K. Wellman, a visionary inventor and engineer, founded The S.K. Wellman Co. in 1925. His journey began with pioneering work on friction materials for the Ford Model T's planetary transmission. Wellman's innovative technique involved impregnating woven cotton webbing with unique grease and wax mixtures, creating a non-metallic friction material that outperformed traditional options.

The company initially sold its friction products under the Velvetouch brand name, which quickly gained recognition for its superior performance and durability. Unlike many contemporary manufacturers who relied on asbestos-based materials, Velvetouch products were notoriously all metal, offering a safer and more reliable alternative. 

By 1934, this groundbreaking material had found widespread application in automotive and industrial brake linings and clutch facings. Wellman's products gained significant commercial success as aftermarket replacements, solidifying the company's reputation for quality and reliability.

Even as his non-metallic materials achieved market dominance, Wellman and his team relentlessly pursued further advancements in friction technology. Their dedication to innovation laid the foundation for the company's continued growth and leadership in the industry.

A visual history of carlisle brake & Friction

R&D
Carlisle Brake & Friction pioneered the development of original "all-metal" friction materials within its own state-of-the-art laboratories. These early years saw significant advancements in powdered metallurgy, driven by extensive research and development conducted in our well-equipped facilities.
R&D2
Prior to production, every shipment of raw materials entering the plant underwent rigorous laboratory analysis to ensure the highest quality standards.
R&D3
A turn-of-the-century control panel housed various instruments crucial for recording data used in calculating test results. The panel included both automatic and manual controls for the dynamometer. Each chart simultaneously recorded stopping time, torque, brake line pressure, and speed automatically.
TESTING
This early Carlisle dynamometer was designed to simulate the operation of Carlisle's VelveTouch brand of "Bimetallic" clutch discs within an automatic transmission.
TESTING2
An early Carlisle metallurgical laboratory equipped with a hardness testing machine, a tensile testing machine, several microscopes, a photomicrographic camera, a modern polishing unit (consisting of a mounting press and polishing wheel), and small furnaces. 
TESTING3
New shipments of steel are carefully checked by the Carlisle chemical laboratory, to rigid specifications. Here, a Carlisle engineer checks a sample of steel for carbon content. 
QUALITY
A project engineer, assigned to the Powder Department, is shown examining the continuous conveyor designed to transport rough-crushed powder from the crusher to the attrition mill.
QUALITY2
A material scientist tests a sample of powder from a newly blended mix. Every batch is scientifically analyzed by qualified technicians to ensure thorough mixing and proper proportioning.
QUALITY3
Checking surface contours to tolerances as low as one-thousandth of an inch with a dial surface gauge during final inspection.
Production
In 1951, a new "roller-coater" was introduced to the production line. This automated machine could graphite-coat compact discs with diameters up to 24 inches. It was a larger and more advanced version of the previous small roller-coater, boasting a daily capacity of 4,000 to 5,000 compacts. 
Production2
This impressive plating machine, capable of processing over 8,000 pieces per hour, was designed to precisely coat steel backings for a wide range of Carlisle parts. The plating cycle, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, involved eleven distinct, precisely timed operations: two baths, five rinses, one etching process, two plating applications, and one drying phase.
Production3
The finished 'cores' and backing plates are plated to ensure a strong bond with the friction material during the sintering operation.

Carlisle CBF THROUGH THE YEARS

  • 1925 - Present
Carlisle Brake & Friction
Main Headquarters
920 Lake Road
Medina, OH 44256, U.S.A
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Carlisle Brake & Friction is part of CentroMotion, a global manufacturing company specializing in friction products, information and control devices, mechanical power transmission products, and thermal and motion controls.

CentroMotion Brands: Carlisle Brake & Friction | CrossControl | Elliott Manufacturing | Gits Mfg. | maximatecc |Power-Packer | Weasler