Cross drilling is a
machining process used to help automotive
brake rotors
dissipate heat better. A series of small diameter holes are bored through the rotor to provide more surface area to radiate heat. The holes are either cut perpendicular to the
rotor surface or at a 45 degree angle.
This process actually weakens the structural integrity of the rotor so it is generally seen in high performance/racing applications only where expensive alloy rotors are required.