Abstract: A grinding assembly contacts a tire supported by a frame relative to the tire. The grinding assembly includes at least one section, and an axial positioning assembly supporting the at least one section. The axial positioning assembly enables the at least one section to be axially repositioned relative to the tire. The at least one section includes a grinding head, where the grinding head includes a grindstone rotatably supported thereon, the grindstone having rounded shoulders at its axial extremities. The grinding assembly further includes a radial positioning assembly supporting the grinding head for radial movement with respect to the tire.

Abstract: A grinding assembly contacts a tire supported by a frame relative to the tire. The grinding assembly includes at least one section, and an axial positioning assembly supporting the at least one section. The axial positioning assembly enables the at least one section to be axially repositioned relative to the tire. The at least one section includes a grinding head, where the grinding head includes a grindstone rotatably supported thereon, the grindstone having rounded shoulders at its axial extremities. The grinding assembly further includes a radial positioning assembly supporting the grinding head for radial movement with respect to the tire.

Abstract: A grinding assembly contacts a tire supported by a frame relative to the tire. The grinding assembly includes at least one section, and an axial positioning assembly supporting the at least one section. The axial positioning assembly enables the at least one section to be axially repositioned relative to the tire. The at least one section includes a grinding head, where the grinding head includes a grindstone rotatably supported thereon, the grindstone having rounded shoulders at its axial extremities. The grinding assembly further includes a radial positioning assembly supporting the grinding head for radial movement with respect to the tire.

Abstract: A method of positioning a load wheel in a tire uniformity machine to load a tire for testing, the method comprising providing a drive assembly including a drive motor and a drive controller, electrically connected to each other, said drive controller being adapted to switch between analog velocity control and position control; moving the load wheel with the drive motor using analog velocity control; and switching to position control to cause said motor to maintain a selected position of said load wheel without a mechanical brake.

Abstract: A grinder assembly (10) contacts a tire (T) supported by a frame (F) relative to the tire (T). The grinder assembly (10) includes at least one section, and a vertical repositioning system (118) supporting the at least one section. The vertical repositioning system (118) enables the at least one section to be vertically repositioned relative to the tire (T). The at least one section includes a grinding head (24), a radial positioning system (18) supporting the grinding head (24) for radial movement with respect to the tire (T), and a tilt adjuster (90) provided adjacent the grinding head (24) to provide for pivotal movement thereof. The vertical repositioning system (118) includes at least one rail extending along the frame (F), and a rail carriage supporting the at least one section on the at least one rail, the rail carriage being vertically repositionable along the at least one rail.

Abstract: A lateral load testing system for testing a tire mounted on a rotatable spindle, the tire tester including a load assembly, a spindle frame having a support extending therefrom, a spindle housing defining a spindle bore adapted to rotatably receive the spindle, the spindle housing having a support opposite the support on the spindle frame, and a load cell located between the supports, where each support is attached to the load cell. The load cell is in electrical communication with a controller. The spindle frame is moveable to cause the tire to engage the load assembly, whereby lateral forces generated between the load wheel and tire are measured by the load cell and communicated to the controller.

Abstract: A face grinder assembly is disclosed for removing irregularities from tire. The face grinder assembly includes an outer frame and a slide frame slidably attached to the outer frame. The slide frame is capable of vertical movement relative to the outer frame between a working position and a non-working position. A sub-assembly carried by the slide frame includes a grinding stone. The sub-assembly is configured to define a clearance for the tire in the non-working position of the slide frame.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine having a framework for receiving a tire to be tested, a rotatable chuck located within the framework and having a spindle driven by a motor directly coupled to the spindle to selectively cause rotation thereof, whereby the tire is chucked within the chuck assembly and caused to rotate by the motor. The motor is disposed in axial alignment with the spindle.

Abstract: A grinder in a tire uniformity machine having a frame including a first side frame member and a second side frame member, the frame receiving a tire having a central axis for testing, the grinder including a carriage pivotally attached to the first side frame member and a locking assembly adjacent the carriage and the second side frame member selectively coupling the carriage to the second side frame member when the carriage is in the operating position; a grinding head supported on one end of the carriage, the grinding head having at least one grinding stone and at least one motor coupled to the grinding stone capable of causing rotation thereof.

Abstract: A grinder for use with a tire uniformity machine and being selectially moved into and out of contact with a tire mounted in the tire uniformity machine and including a pair of rotatable grindstones for grinding the tire carried by a grinding head. The grindstones are moved radially toward and away from the tire and are driven by one or more motors mounted on the grinding bead for rotating the grindstones in opposite directions relative to each other.

Abstract: A tire uniformity machine having a framework for receiving a tire to be tested, a rotatable chuck located within the framework and having a spindle driven by a motor directly coupled to the spindle to selectively cause rotation thereof, whereby the tire is chucked within the chuck assembly and caused to rotate by the motor. The motor is disposed in axial alignment with the spindle.

Abstract: A grinder in a tire uniformity machine that receives a tire for testing, the grinder including an arm received in bearings; a grinding head supported on the arm, the grinding head having a rotatable grinding stone and a motor causing the rotation of the grinding stone; and a linear actuator operatively engaging the arm to selectively cause axial movement thereof causing the grindstone to selectively contact the tire.