Abstract: A machine vision system is directed toward a tire building drum in a tire building machine. The machine vision system produces a three dimensional image of a green rubber tread applied to the tire building drum. A center of the green rubber tread is identified in the three dimensional image by performing at least one convolution with at least one profile trace of the green rubber tread and a predefined tread profile. A difference is identified between the center of the green rubber tread and a center of the tire building drum. The difference is used as a tread position feedback error to position an application of a next green rubber tread onto the tire building drum from a tread conveyor.

Abstract: Pressure sensors may be used to directly measure the pressure between a green tire and a curing apparatus during shaping and/or during curing. This can be accomplished by a method including the steps of: (A) providing a bladder, a tire mold and, a green tire having a pair of annular beads and one or more plies; (B) mounting a first pressure sensor to an inner surface of the green tire between an overlay and a belt; (C) inserting the green tire into the tire mold and closing the tire mold; (D) shaping the green tire by expanding the bladder within the green tire against the closed tire mold; and, (E) directly measuring the pressure between the overlay and the belt of the green tire during step (D) with the first pressure sensor.

Abstract: Pressure sensors may be used to directly measure the pressure between a green tire and a curing apparatus during shaping and/or during curing. This can be accomplished by a method including the steps of: (A) providing a bladder, a tire mold and, a green tire having a pair of annular beads and one or more plies; (B) mounting a first pressure sensor to an inner surface of the green tire between an overlay and a belt; (C) inserting the green tire into the tire mold and closing the tire mold; (D) shaping the green tire by expanding the bladder within the green tire against the closed tire mold; and, (E) directly measuring the pressure between the overlay and the belt of the green tire during step (D) with the first pressure sensor.

Abstract: Pressure sensors may be used to directly measure the pressure between a green tire and a curing apparatus during shaping and/or during curing.

Abstract: Pressure sensors may be used to directly measure the pressure between a green tire and a curing apparatus during shaping and/or during curing.