Abstract:
A robot arm having seven axes of actuation imparts to a toroidal support a circumferential distribution motion about its own geometric axis simultaneously with controlled transverse distribution displacements in front of a dispensing organ of a strip of elastomeric material. The strip thus forms a plurality of turns, the orientation and mutual superposition whereof are controlled in such a way as to control the thickness variations to be conferred to a component of a tyre being manufactured, based on a pre-determined laying scheme pre-set on an electronic computer. The rotation of the toroidal support is controlled in such a way as to obtain a peripheral speed of application exceeding the theoretical feeding rate of the strip, able to be increased or decreased as needed to form turns with reduced or, respectively, enlarged cross section.
Abstract:
A method of producing a tyre tread with lugs; the tread having a tread base, and a number of lugs projecting upwards from the tread base; and the method including the steps of: preparing a green-rubber blank tread thinner at the sides and thicker at the centre to define a raised centre portion; applying green-rubber blocks to the areas of the blank tread where the lugs are to be formed, which blocks rest centrally against the raised centre portion; and curing the blank tread, together with the blocks, in a curing mold negatively reproducing the pattern of the tread.
Abstract:
A method for reducing elongational viscosity of an elastomeric composition includes adding at least one elongational-viscosity-reducing additive to the elastomeric composition in an amount so that the elongational viscosity of the elastomeric composition, measured at 120° C. and at a shear rate of at least 1000 sec−1, is at least 10% less than the elongational viscosity, measured at 120° C. and at the shear rate of at least 1000 sec−1, of the elastomeric composition without the at least one additive. A process for producing a tyre includes feeding an elastomeric composition to an extruder; forming, by extrusion, the elastomeric composition as a continuous elongated element; and depositing the elongated element on a support in a plurality of coils to make up a structural element of the tyre. Forming the elastomeric composition is carried out at the shear rate. The elastomeric composition comprises the at least one additive.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus 100 for forming an annular elastomeric tire component has the steps of extruding at least one elastomeric material annularly onto a support surface 60 and shaping the at least one strip 2 of elastomeric material to a predetermined profile by forming the at least one strip 2 of material between a shaping die 84 and the support surface 60 thereby smoothing and spreading the strip to the desired profile. The method may include applying additional strips 2 to form multilayered components. The support surface 60 may be separate from a tire building station 200 or may be integral to a tire building station 200. The formed strips may include any one or more tire components such as a sidewall 20, a chafer 30, a bead apex 10, ply stock coatings 40, an innerliner 50, or a tread 22.
Abstract:
An apparatus for applying tread material onto a tire is provided and applies uncured tread material to the carcass of a tire having a tread surface and a flank. The apparatus includes an extruder for extruding a selected one of a rubber and a synthetic material mixture and a first applicator device orientable toward the tread surface of the carcass. The apparatus also includes a second applicator device disposed adjacent the first applicator device and orientable toward the flank of the carcass. The apparatus further includes an extrusion nozzle extending between the first applicator device and the second applicator device for passage therethrough of the mixture extruded by the extruder.
Abstract:
A method of forming a green tire according to the present invention comprises winding a rubber strip on an adjusting drum while extruding an unvulcanized rubber from an extruder in a form of the rubber strip in a length corresponding to the rubber quantity of a tire constituent portion, and forming the tire constituent portion by winding said rubber strip continuously a plurality of times on the outer circumference of a rotary support member, unwinding it from the adjusting drum.
Abstract:
A viscoelastic fluid molding material is injected into a tire tread cavity between the mold and an inflatable tread supporting body. The clearance distance between the mold and the inflatable tread supporting body is varied to increase the flow of the initial amount of fluid molding material into remote portions of the tire tread cavity and provide for the flow of the final amount of fluid molding material into gate portions while the tread supporting body is being deflected.Circumferentially spaced gates may be spaced from the centerplane of the mold and have runners extending toward the shoulders of the tread supporting body for increased flow of the initial amount of fluid molding material into remote shoulder portions of the tread cavity. Sealing rings at the side edges of the tread cavity prevent flow of fluid molding material into sidewall areas of side members of the mold.
Abstract:
A method wherein uncured urethane formulations are bonded to a cured rubber or synthetic rubber substrate in such a manner so as to provide greater bonding strength than has been achieved previously in urethane formulation bonding to rubber or synthetic rubber.
Abstract:
The invention provides a process for the injection molding of treads on a tire carcass which comprises feeding an elastomeric composition for molding the tire's tread to a plurality of equalization spaces symmetrically arranged with respect to the injection cavity of the mold where the tread is formed, the mix moving to the injection cavity from each of the spaces through a plurality of injection passages, the mix being fed to each of the spaces through at least one feeding passage and the ratio between average sliding gradients .gamma..sub.i of the injection passages and gradients .gamma..sub.a of the feeding passages being not lower than 8. The invention also provides an apparatus for the injection molding of a tread on a tire body having a plurality of feeding channels symmetrically arranged around the injection cavity, a plurality of equalization chambers arranged with the same symmetry and into which the feeding channels flow, and a plurality of injection orifices which connect each chamber with the cavity, the ratio between the sections of the injection orifices and the section of the feeding channels and the number of injection orifices where the delivery of each feeding channel spreads, being such that, when a fluid mix for molding the tread is flowing through them, the ratio between respective gradients .gamma. of average sliding is now lower than 8.
Abstract:
A process is provided for molding a tread on a vehicle tire body in which a tire body requiring a tread is supported in a mold which combines with the surface of the tire body to form a cavity conforming to the configuration and dimensions of the tread. The cavity is filled with a flowable vulcanizable elastomeric composition by injection at equally spaced points around the equatorial axis of the mold of measured volumes of material which will combine to fill the cavity and develop a low pressure in the mold cavity to insure flow of material until the cavity is completely filled. The invention also provides an injection molding apparatus having a mold which combines with a tire body supported therein to form a cavity corresponding to the configuration and dimensions of a tire tread. A series of equally spaced openings are provided around the equatorial axis of the mold for injection of molding composition and openings are provided around the sides of the mold cavity for the escape of air from the cavity as it is filled with composition.