Abstract: A tire inspection assembly includes a spindle and a clamping mechanism. The tire inspection assembly generally functions to mount a tire and allow for the inflation thereof to perform a test on the mounted tire. The tire inspection apparatus generally offers more robust centering, higher stiffness versus loads, and greater elimination of variable clearances that can otherwise impede repeatability.

Abstract: A post cure tire inflator is provided for use with a tire press to inflate and cure vulcanized tires. The post cure inflator includes a frame fixed between a pair of outer support columns, a first movable beam that is linearly movable relative to the frame, and a second movable beam that is linearly movable relative to both of the frame and the first movable beam. A pair of inflator stations is arranged in a vertically separated formation with each inflator station including a pair of axially aligned, vertically separable tire inflating chuck rings. One of the tire inflating chuck rings from each pair of inflator stations is secured to the frame, and the other tire inflating chuck ring from each pair of inflator stations is secured to one of the first and second movable beams.

Abstract: A segmented mold operator includes a main frame fixed to an upper cavity part of a tire press cavity and a control plunger with an axially movable cylinder rod that is configured to apply a squeeze pressure to the tire press cavity. A rotatable lock ring is rotatably coupled about an end of the cylinder rod and axially movable therewith. The lock ring includes a plurality of teeth radially arranged thereon to interface with a mold ring adapter via a bayonet connection. A lock ring frame is independent from the rotatable lock ring and is separated therefrom along the cylinder rod. A locking plunger is configured to selectively engage the rotatable lock ring to thereby prevent rotation of the rotatable lock ring. An electronic lock sensor is configured to electronically sense an axial position of the lock rod.

Abstract: A post cure tire inflator is provided for use with a tire press to inflate and cure vulcanized tires. The post cure inflator includes a frame fixed between a pair of outer support columns, a first movable beam that is linearly movable relative to the frame, and a second movable beam that is linearly movable relative to both of the frame and the first movable beam. A pair of inflator stations is arranged in a vertically separated formation with each inflator station including a pair of axially aligned, vertically separable tire inflating chuck rings. One of the tire inflating chuck rings from each pair of inflator stations is secured to the frame, and the other tire inflating chuck ring from each pair of inflator stations is secured to one of the first and second movable beams.

Abstract: A segmented mold operator includes a main frame fixed to an upper cavity part of a tire press cavity and a control plunger with an axially movable cylinder rod that is configured to apply a squeeze pressure to the tire press cavity. A rotatable lock ring is rotatably coupled about an end of the cylinder rod and axially movable therewith. The lock ring includes a plurality of teeth radially arranged thereon to interface with a mold ring adapter via a bayonet connection. A lock ring frame is independent from the rotatable lock ring and is separated therefrom along the cylinder rod. A locking plunger is configured to selectively engage the rotatable lock ring to thereby prevent rotation of the rotatable lock ring. An electronic lock sensor is configured to electronically sense an axial position of the lock rod.

Abstract: A combination loader and post cure tire inflator for use with a tire press is provided. A post cure inflator for inflating and curing vulcanized tires includes a plurality of inflator stations with each inflator station including a pair of axially aligned, vertically separable tire inflating chuck rings. A loading apparatus includes a loading arm movable along a linear track relative to the plurality of inflator stations to load and unload each vulcanized tire in a selected one of the plurality of inflator stations without rotating the vulcanized tires in a turnover operation.

Abstract: A combination loader and post cure tire inflator for use with a tire press is provided. A post cure inflator for inflating and curing vulcanized tires includes a plurality of inflator stations with each inflator station including a pair of axially aligned, vertically separable tire inflating chuck rings. A loading apparatus includes a loading arm movable along a linear track relative to the plurality of inflator stations to load and unload each vulcanized tire in a selected one of the plurality of inflator stations without rotating the vulcanized tires in a turnover operation.