Abstract: A carcass ply is built on a forming drum by application of a plurality of strip-like elements by the steps of: setting a width of these strip-like elements, setting a width of the overlapped part between two adjacent strip-like elements, setting a fitting diameter of the forming drum by calculating a corresponding extension of a radially external laying surface, and calculating a whole number of strip-like elements to be applied. The whole number of strip-like elements is applied by rotating the forming drum around a geometric rotation axis thereof, and applying pairs of strip-like elements by means of a first laying unit and a second laying unit located close to opposite portions of the forming drum relative to the geometric rotation axis.

Abstract: In the manufacturing of a semi-finished product made of elastomeric material, a method for controlling the heating of an extrusion device which includes multiple structural units having respective different working temperatures and thermal inertias includes; a) setting, for all of the above-mentioned units a heating temperature to a value equal or close to the working temperature of the unit which has the lowest working temperature; b) simultaneously heating all of the above-mentioned units; c) when said unit is approaching or has reached the heating temperature, setting for the other units a new heating temperature to a value equal or close to that of the working temperature of the unit, the working temperature of which is closest to the heating temperature; and d) iteratively repeating the operations mentioned in b) and c), until all of the above-mentioned units have reached the respective working temperature.

Abstract: A method of controlling deposition of a continuous elongated element in building a tire for vehicle wheels, includes; feeding an initial end of a continuous elongated element of elastomeric material through a slit bounded by a first roller and a second roller of a calender; retaining the continuous elongated element against a peripheral surface of the first roller; laying the initial end of the continuous elongated element against a deposition surface; rotating the calender around an oscillation axis that is substantially coincident with a contact generatrix between the first roller and the second roller; and dragging along the continuous elongated element together with the deposition surface.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes the step of dosing into at least one extruder at least one ingredient by means of a dosing device, wherein the dosing step is regulated on the basis of: i) actual weight values of the at least one ingredient measured at dosing instants of an evaluation time period of predetermined duration preceding a given dosing instant; ii) expected weight values of the at least one ingredient calculated for corresponding dosing instants of the evaluation time period of predetermined duration preceding the dosing instant; and iii) expected weight values of the at least one ingredient calculated for a prediction time period of predetermined duration following the dosing instant; so as to minimize a prediction weight error between actual weight values measured during the prediction time period and the expected weight values calculated for the prediction time period, and a model weight error between actual weight values measured during the prediction tim

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for building tires for vehicle wheels wherein the process includes the step of assembling components of elastomeric material on a forming support, in which at least one of the components of elastomeric material is manufactured by the steps of: i) dispensing a continuous elongated element of elastomeric material; ii) applying the continuous elongated element in the form of coils disposed in side by side relationship or at least partly superposed, wound up on the forming support, so as to form the at least one component of elastomeric material of the tire; iii) exerting a first pressure on a central region of a portion of the continuous elongated element applied onto the forming support; and iv) exerting a second pressure on side regions of the portion of the continuous elongated element applied onto the forming support.

Abstract: Auxiliary support members are brought into engagement with a building drum provided with a first outer circumferential surface. These auxiliary support members each have a second outer circumferential surface which extends in the continuation of the first outer circumferential surface. A separation element having a circumferential support surface is provided at a radially external position on each of the auxiliary support members. A component of the tyre is applied around each of the circumferential support surfaces and the auxiliary support members are subsequently axially moved away from the building drum, so as to radially contract the circumferential support surfaces to decouple them from the respective components of the tyre.

Abstract: A carcass ply is built on a forming drum by application of a plurality of strip-like elements by the steps of: setting a width of these strip-like elements, setting a width of the overlapped part between two adjacent strip-like elements, setting a fitting diameter of the forming drum by calculating a corresponding extension of a radially external laying surface, and calculating a whole number of strip-like elements to be applied. The whole number of strip-like elements is applied by rotating the forming drum around a geometric rotation axis thereof, and applying pairs of strip-like elements by means of a first laying unit and a second laying unit located close to opposite portions of the forming drum relative to the geometric rotation axis.

Abstract: A carcass ply includes a plurality of mutually parallel reinforcing cords incorporated into an elastomeric material having a length, a width and a design angle. A continuous strip element of a width, including at least one reinforcing cord incorporated into the elastomeric material, is spirally wound on a forming support adapted to be radially configured. A width of an overlapped part of a coil is set on an adjacent coil, and the whole number of coils, a circumferential extension of the forming support and a true advancing pitch of the coils is calculated. After radially configuring the forming support in order to obtain the calculated circumferential extension, the continuous strip element is laid on the forming support so as to make a semifinished product which is cut along a cutting line passing through a starting end and a final end of the continuous strip element and unrolled from the forming support.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tyre for vehicle wheels, includes the following steps: a) building a carcass structure; b) building a belt structure; c) building a tread band; wherein at least one of the carcass structure, belt structure and tread band includes a tubular structure of elastomeric material; and d) shaping the carcass structure into a toroidal conformation to associate it with at least said belt structure by exerting a radial deformation force directed from the inside to the outside of the carcass structure. The method includes the following step, during execution of at least one of steps a), b) and c): e) building the tubular structure in such a manner that the profile thereof, along its circumferential extension, has such a starting thickness that the deformed tubular structure following step d) has a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing an elastomeric composition includes the step of dosing into at least one extruder at least one ingredient by means of a dosing device, wherein the dosing step is regulated on the basis of: i) actual weight values of the at least one ingredient measured at dosing instants of an evaluation time period of predetermined duration preceding a given dosing instant; ii) expected weight values of the at least one ingredient calculated for corresponding dosing instants of the evaluation time period of predetermined duration preceding the dosing instant; and iii) expected weight values of the at least one ingredient calculated for a prediction time period of predetermined duration following the dosing instant; so as to minimize a prediction weight error between actual weight values measured during the prediction time period and the expected weight values calculated for the prediction time period, and a model weight error between actual weight values measured during the prediction tim