Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for inspecting an object comprises a first camera for inspecting a first surface of the object, and a second camera for inspecting a second surface of the object. The object may be placed upon a support structure during simultaneous inspection by the first camera and the second camera. At least one roller is arranged to selectively engage the object when the object is placed upon the support structure, wherein the at least one roller is adapted for circumferential rotation relative to the support structure. Rotation of the at least one roller causes a corresponding circumferential rotation of the object relative to the first and second cameras.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for inspecting an object comprises a first camera for inspecting a first surface of the object, and a second camera for inspecting a second surface of the object. The object may be placed upon a support structure during simultaneous inspection by the first camera and the second camera. At least one roller is arranged to selectively engage the object when the object is placed upon the support structure, wherein the at least one roller is adapted for circumferential rotation relative to the support structure. Rotation of the at least one roller causes a corresponding circumferential rotation of the object relative to the first and second cameras.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for inspecting an object comprises a first camera for inspecting a first surface of the object, and a second camera for inspecting a second surface of the object. The object may be placed upon a support structure during simultaneous inspection by the first camera and the second camera. At least one roller is arranged to selectively engage the object when the object is placed upon the support structure, wherein the at least one roller is adapted for circumferential rotation relative to the support structure. Rotation of the at least one roller causes a corresponding circumferential rotation of the object relative to the first and second cameras.

Abstract: A belt forming system may include an upstream conveyor, a downstream conveyor located downstream of the upstream conveyor, and a belt assembly system in communication with the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor. The belt assembly system may also include an arm, an actuator for moving the arm, and/or a holding component coupled to the arm and adapted to move a strip section from the upstream conveyor to a desired position on the downstream conveyor such that the strip section is oriented at a predetermined angle on the downstream conveyor. In one embodiment, the belt forming system comprises a belt cutter. The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing at least a portion of a tire belt.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for inspecting an object comprises a first camera for inspecting a first surface of the object, and a second camera for inspecting a second surface of the object. The object may be placed upon a support structure during simultaneous inspection by the first camera and the second camera. At least one roller is arranged to selectively engage the object when the object is placed upon the support structure, wherein the at least one roller is adapted for circumferential rotation relative to the support structure. Rotation of the at least one roller causes a corresponding circumferential rotation of the object relative to the first and second cameras.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transfer system is configured to move a portion of a strip within a belt forming system. The transfer system may comprise a first segment comprising a main body adapted to engage a strip. A plurality of slots may be disposed in a surface of the main body. Fluid communication may be provided from a fluid supply to the plurality of slots, such that the fluid communication with the plurality of slots enables holding the strip against the main body or blowing the strip off the main body. The plurality of slots may be arranged in a series of rows, wherein a first slot in a first row is positioned directly adjacent to a second slot in the first row. First and second strips of different dimensions may be transferred without any mechanical adjustments being made to the main body.

Abstract: A bead-apex assembly system comprising a bead forming system and an apex application system. In one embodiment, a supporting assembly is located at least partially between the bead forming system and the apex application system, and the supporting assembly is adapted to move an annular bead ring from the bead forming system to the apex application system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a belt forming system comprises an upstream conveyor (33), a downstream conveyor (32) located downstream of the upstream conveyor, and a belt assembly system in communication with the upstream conveyor and the downstream conveyor. The belt assembly system comprises an arm (52), an actuator for moving the arm (54), and a holding component (53) coupled to the arm and adapted to move a strip section from the upstream conveyor to a desired position on the downstream conveyor such that the strip section is oriented at a predetermined angle on the downstream conveyor. In one embodiment, the belt forming system comprises a belt cutter (42). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing at least a portion of a tire belt.

Abstract: A bead-apex assembly system comprising a bead forming system and an apex application system. In one embodiment, a supporting assembly is located at least partially between the bead forming system and the apex application system, and the supporting assembly is adapted to move an annular bead ring from the bead forming system to the apex application system.

Abstract: A system for handling an object comprises a guide plate, a center hub rotatable relative to the guide plate, a plurality of slots disposed in the guide plate, and a plurality of arms each having first and second ends. The first end of each of the plurality of arms is coupled to the center hub, and the second end of each of the plurality of arms is coupled to an associated slot of the plurality of slots. Rotation of the center hub in a first direction causes the second end of each of the plurality of arms to move radially outward within the associated slot in an extended state. An outer surface of a first arm of the plurality of arms may be nested against an inner surface of a second arm of the plurality of arms in a retracted state.

Abstract: A tire belt machine comprises an extruder, a cooling drum, and a cutting station, such that the cooling drum draws a strip from the extruder. The cutting station is adapted to cut the strip into a plurality of plies that are laid adjacent one another to form a splice therebetween. A strip width sensor, a strip tracking system, and a strip temperature sensor are coupled to a central control unit to monitor the characteristics of the strip as it is processed. Based upon the monitored characteristics, the central control unit adjusts the operation of one or more of the components of the tire belt machine to maintain uniform splices between the strips.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a continuous preparation ply of the type used to make vehicle tires from preparation ply sections having nonmetallic cords. An infeed conveyor successively feeds the preparation ply sections to a butt splicing machine that joins the ends of the two preparation ply sections to form a butt joint. A gum strip applier receives the continuous preparation ply from an outfeed conveyor and applies a gum strip over the butt joint. A method is provided for forming a continuous preparation ply by first automatically forming a butt joint, and thereafter automatically placing a gum strip on the butt joint.

Abstract: The assembly applies an apex filler to the outer circumferential surface of an annular bead ring. The apex filler applying assembly incorporates an apex filler applicator that is preferably operable in conjunction with a plurality of server mechanisms. One server mechanism is a conveyor that receives a bead ring. A locator operates in conjunction with the conveyor to position the annular bead ring precisely on the conveyor so that it may be engaged by a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism removes the bead ring from the conveyor and mounts it on a chuck turret assembly. A chuck head in the chuck turret assembly engages the bead ring and accurately positions the bead ring relative to applying rollers in the apex filler applicator, in which position the apex filler--which has been directed from an extruder through an orienting mechanism, into an in-feed mechanism and severed to length by an in-flight guillotine cutter--is applied to the annular bead ring.

Abstract: The assembly applies an apex filler to the outer circumferential surface of an annular bead ring. The apex filler applying assembly incorporates an apex filler applicator that is preferably operable in conjunction with a plurality of server mechanisms. One server mechanism is a conveyor that receives a bead ring. A locator operates in conjunction with the conveyor to position the annular bead ring precisely on the conveyor so that it may be engaged by a transfer mechanism. The transfer mechanism removes the bead ring from the conveyor and mounts it on a chuck turret assembly. A chuck head in the chuck turret assembly engages the bead ring and accurately positions the bead ring relative to applying rollers in the apex filler applicator, in which position the apex filler--which has been directed from an extruder through an orienting mechanism, into an in-feed mechanism and severed to length by an in-flight guillotine cutter--is applied to the annular bead ring.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism (20) for moving elastomeric ribbon between a first or lead-in mechanism, and a second or assembly mechanism of a ply fabrication apparatus (21) includes a shuttle means (35) for selectively engaging the ribbon, first movement means (36) for translating the shuttle (40) upwardly and downwardly with respect to the first and second mechanisms, and second movement means (38) for translation of the shuttle between the first and second mechanisms. The shuttle means includes a movable shuttle (40). The first movement means (36) includes a first support (41) rigidly attached to the apparatus (21), and a second support (45) for mounting the shuttle (40) and having an overall length less than the length of the shuttle.

Abstract: A centering device (10) to effect registration of a magnetic disk (11) with respect to the protective envelope (12) within which the disk (11) is encased. The centering device (10) has a receiving locus (28) upon which one face wall (16) of the envelope (12) may be supported. Locating means (30) extend upwardly of the receiving locus (28) to engage at least a portion of two discrete edges (23 and 24) on the envelope (12) and thereby fix the position of the envelope (12) with respect to the receiving locus (28) of the centering device (10). Hub means (35) extend upwardly of the receiving locus (28) at a predetermined location with respect to the locating means (30). The hub means (35) is designed to engage the drive aperture (13) of the disk (11) so as to effect registration of the disk (11) within its envelope (12). One or more recesses ( 45 and 46) and legs (48) are provided to facilitate grasping of the disk assembly (19) by the operator.

Abstract: A die (12) for extruding an elastomeric ribbon (14) reinforced with laterally spaced longitudinal filaments (13), said die having mating die blocks (17 and 18) enclosing mating die plates (15 and 16) embracing a filament guide insert (25), and said insert being undercut at (38) to form a flat surface (39) having exposed grooves (42) which are extensions of the filament guide passageways (26), whereby the exiting portions of the filaments (13) are partially encapsulated with elastomeric material while in said grooves (42).

Abstract: A second stage building drum assembly (10) mounted on a rotatable drive shaft (15) for the application of belts and the like to a carcass includes a drum (12) rotatably carried by the drive shaft (15) for mounting a carcass (143) and first and second belt guide ply rings (13 and 14) reciprocably movable with respect to the drum. Further provided are means (30) for reciprocably moving one side (32) of the drum (12) with respect to the other (33) and, means (22, 23 and 96) for moving the first and second belt guide ply rings into engagement with the drum (12) for the application of at least one belt (154) to a carcass (143) mounted thereon.

Abstract: A building drum assembly (10) mounted on a rotatable driveshaft (14) for the production of a cylindrical carcass (70) includes a drum (11) rotatably carried by the driveshaft (14) for receiving carcass material (60), a bead receiving area (16), means (53) for expanding the drum (11) and means (12 and 13) for turning carcass material (60) over a bead (64). Further provided are means (25 and 36) for the accurate positioning and securing of a bead (64) and means (24 and 25) for providing a substantially uniform and continuous support surface (19) for receiving the carcass material (60).A method is also provided for the operation of the assembly and includes the steps of rotating the drum (11), applying a carcass material (60) to the drum (11), placing a bead (64) over the bead receiving area (16), expanding the drum (11), securing the bead (64) and turning a carcass material (60) over the bead (64).

Abstract: A guillotine assembly (20) having opposed cutting blades (65,85), the orientation of which can be adjustably preselected to provide both vertical and horizontal relative inclination in order to provide initial and progressive interference between the blades (65,85) as they effect a progressive cut therebetween. At least one blade (65) is mounted to allow a progressive movement with respect to the mechanism on which it is supported in order to accommodate the preselected degree of progressive interference between the blades.