AKEBONO REPORT 2014

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Ceaseless Pursuit to Make Brake Components asLight as PossibleSince 2007, Akebono has been supplying its brake systems to the“McLaren Mercedes” Formula One racing team. To satisfyMcLaren’s requirements, Akebono has worked to enhance itsbrakes’ reliability and stability to the greatest possible extent and,to this end, has developed technologies that improved the structure,materials, surface finishing and other aspects of its products.Striving to develop competitive brakes for use in Formula One,FIA World Endurance Championship and other prestigious motorsports,Akebono will continue to achieve technological breakthroughsthat contribute to the creation of products for massproduction. For example, our weight-saving technologies will helpenhance fuelefficiency and thereby contribute to lower energyconsumption for automobiles. Furthermore, by participating inendurance racing, we will advance technologies for the greaterwear performance of brakes in heavily loaded conditions. This will,in turn, help us create products with a longer life while helping tosave resources.In addition, Akebono is developing copper-free brake pads foruse in high-performance vehicles in response to U.S. regulations.Looking ahead, we will launch brake pads that simultaneouslyachieve superior performance and environmental-friendliness formass-produced vehicles. Moreover, we will go on to supply moreenvironmentally friendly products even in the field of highperformancevehicles.Upgrading Ai-Ring to Secure Competitiveness inthe Global MarketOne of Japan’s largest test courses possessed by an automobilepart manufacturer, Ai-Ring is equipped with verification facilitiesthat enable Akebono to carry out various types of brake testingusing actual vehicles. A construction project aimed at upgradingthe whole facility is now under way, with an eye to completion inMarch 2016, and will include new multiple tracks used for newproduct development. Once completed, the new Ai-Ring willenable us to test brakes in conditions even closer to actual drivingenvironments, thereby helping us to better verify our advances. Inaddition, dynamometer brake testing equipment will be added,with the aim of implementing bench testing, dyno testing andvehicle testing in a single facility. While establishing a global developmentstructure, Akebono willenhance its R&D competitivenessthrough this facility upgrade. Moreover, Ai-Ring will help us integratetesting techniques employed at R&D bases worldwide whileproviding a place for training designers and engineers.The upgraded Ai-Ring will serve to accelerate our progressiveinitiatives by enhancing the critical development capabilities neededto achieve technological differentiation. At the same time, we willalso utilize this facility to develop brakes that help save energy andresources.Taking on Future Technological ChallengesAkebono is motivated to realize innovative technologiesthat can contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy and resource saving.Ai-RingIntegration of testingtechnologiesSafe testingprocessesEfficiency(to accelerate development)Human resourcedevelopmentStreamlining(transportation)TechnologicaladvancementGlobalnetworkTOPICSBrakes for a “Space Elevator”A carbon nanotube is a lightweight material boasting superiorstrength. This innovative material offers the possibility of constructinga “space elevator,” a futuristic transportation systemconnecting earth and space. The current concept of a spaceelevator includes the establishment of space stations in geostationaryorbit to enable ground-space transportation. Projectsare now under way at universities and other research institutionsworldwide studying this concept. In Japan, Akebono isproviding technological assistanceto JAPAN SPACE ELEVATORASSOCIATION, a general incorporatedassociation established in2008, by proposing designs for thebrake systems such an elevatorwould require.Conceptual drawing of thestructure of a space elevator(Provided by JAPAN SPACE ASSOCIATION)Manufacturing equipment that adjusts at the tenth Concept map visualizing the functions of the new Ai-Ringof a millimeter level of fineness

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