Abstract: A tire pre-conditioning system includes a first mandrel, a second mandrel spaced apart from the first mandrel, and a controller in communication with the first mandrel and the second mandrel. The first mandrel is fixedly attached to a first shaft and including a first tapered sidewall. The second mandrel is fixedly attached to a second shaft and including a second tapered sidewall. The controller is operable to axially move the first mandrel and the second mandrel toward one another until the first and second tapered sidewalls are opposing respective beads of a tire, and supply pressurized fluid into an internal cavity of the tire to inflate the tire. The inflating causing the beads to move relative to mandrels while contacting the opposing respective tapered sidewalls to burnish the beads of the tire.

Abstract: A system for preparing an interior surface of a tire for an adhesive includes a turntable configured to remove a layer of material from the tire, and a manipulator operable to move and rotate the tire. The turntable includes a platform rotatable about a first axis. An ablation module is disposed within the platform and includes one or more lasers each configured to emit a laser beam for removing the layer of material from the tire. A plurality of guide rollers extend from the platform and are operable between a retracted position and an extended position to selectively secure the tire to the platform. An exhaust system is disposed adjacent to the one or more lasers.

Abstract: A method for installing a sensor onto an inner surface of a tire is generally disclosed. The method includes robotically deglazing at least a portion of the inner surface of the tire, defining a preconditioned surface. The sensor is robotically selected and a target surface of the sensor is cleaned. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the target surface of the sensor. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied to a portion of the preconditioned surface. The sensor is robotically positioned, wherein the target surface of the sensor abuts the preconditioned surface. A wet-out operation is performed, wherein a predetermined pressure is applied to the sensor for a predetermined period of time to affix the sensor to the preconditioned surface.

Abstract: A method for installing a sensor onto an inner surface of a tire is generally disclosed. The method includes robotically deglazing at least a portion of the inner surface of the tire, defining a preconditioned surface. The sensor is robotically selected and a target surface of the sensor is cleaned. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the target surface of the sensor. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied to a portion of the preconditioned surface. The sensor is robotically positioned, wherein the target surface of the sensor abuts the preconditioned surface. A wet-out operation is performed, wherein a predetermined pressure is applied to the sensor for a predetermined period of time to affix the sensor to the preconditioned surface.

Abstract: A system for preparing an interior surface of a tire for an adhesive includes a turntable configured to remove a layer of material from the tire, and a manipulator operable to move and rotate the tire. The turntable includes a platform rotatable about a first axis. An ablation module is disposed within the platform and includes one or more lasers each configured to emit a laser beam for removing the layer of material from the tire. A plurality of guide rollers extend from the platform and are operable between a retracted position and an extended position to selectively secure the tire to the platform. An exhaust system is disposed adjacent to the one or more lasers.

Abstract: A tire pre-conditioning system includes a first mandrel, a second mandrel spaced apart from the first mandrel, and a controller in communication with the first mandrel and the second mandrel. The first mandrel is fixedly attached to a first shaft and including a first tapered sidewall. The second mandrel is fixedly attached to a second shaft and including a second tapered sidewall. The controller is operable to axially move the first mandrel and the second mandrel toward one another until the first and second tapered sidewalls are opposing respective beads of a tire, and supply pressurized fluid into an internal cavity of the tire to inflate the tire. The inflating causing the beads to move relative to mandrels while contacting the opposing respective tapered sidewalls to burnish the beads of the tire.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wheel inflation apparatus including a wheel engagement unit that suspends a tire/wheel assembly and at least one inflation unit coupled to the robotic arm, each inflation unit being configured to inflate the tire/wheel assembly. A load measuring unit is configured to sense an amount of load being applied to the wheel/tire assembly. A controller is coupled to the load measuring unit for receiving a load signal and determining an internal air pressure of the tire/wheel assembly based on the load signal. The controller controls the at least one inflation unit based on the determined internal air pressure and a target (desired) air pressure value.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for seating a bead of a tire adjacent a bead seat of a wheel is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire-wheel assembly including a tire and a wheel that removes entrapments between a bead seat of the wheel and bead of the tire is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire-wheel assembly exerciser having a tire-engaging portion. The tire-engaging portion includes at least one tire-engaging device that is adjustably-connected to a base portion. A system is disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A chassis front assembly, a chassis rear assembly and a chassis intermediate assembly are disclosed. The chassis front assembly and the chassis rear assembly are connected to the chassis intermediate assembly for forming a chassis. A kit is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for seating a bead of a tire adjacent a bead seat of a wheel is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A chassis front assembly, a chassis rear assembly and a chassis intermediate assembly are disclosed. The chassis front assembly and the chassis rear assembly are connected to the chassis intermediate assembly for forming a chassis. A kit is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tire support member including a first tire support member, a second tire support member and a third tire support member. Each of the first, second and third tire support members include an upper surface and a lower surface. The apparatus includes a plurality of tire engaging devices including a first tire tread engaging post and a second tire tread engaging post. A method for processing a tire and a wheel for forming a tire wheel assembly is also disclosed.