Abstract: The invention relates to a toroidal forming drum and a process for building tyres. The toroidal forming drum (23) is expanded within a shaped carcass sleeve (12), for supporting the carcass sleeve (12) against an abutment surface (“S”) externally provided by the forming drum (23). An elementary semi-finished product (54a, 54b) is applied around the shaped carcass sleeve (12), by pressing said elementary semi-finished product (54a, 54b) towards the abutment surface (“S”). The abutment surface (“S”) has circumferential rows of solid portions (40) alternated with hollow portions (41). The solid portions (40), arranged along axially opposite circumferential edges of the abutment surface (“S”), have a transverse size comprised between 10% and 60% of a transverse size presented by the solid portions (40) arranged in proximity to an axial centreline plane of the abutment surface (“S”).

Abstract: A carcass sleeve is situated in a radially external position with respect to a toroidal forming drum, arranged in a first radially contracted operative condition. The carcass sleeve is shaped according to a toroidal configuration while the forming drum is positioned inside the carcass sleeve. During shaping of the carcass sleeve, the forming drum is radially expanded up to a second radially expanded operative condition. Upon completed shaping, the carcass sleeve is coupled to the forming drum in the second operative condition. The forming drum, coupled to the shaped carcass sleeve, is arranged in proximity to at least one device for building at least one belt layer at a radially external position relative to the shaped carcass sleeve.

Abstract: A toroidal forming drum and a process for budding tyres. The toroidal forming drum is expanded within a shaped carcass sleeve for supporting the carcass sleeve against an abutment surface externally provided by the forming drum. An elementary semi-finished product is applied around the shaped carcass sleeve by pressing the elementary semi-finished product toward the abutment surface. The abutment surface has circumferential rows of solid portions alternated with hollow portions. The solid portions, arranged along axially opposite circumferential edges of the abutment surface, have a transverse size between 10% and 60% of a transverse size presented by the solid portions arranged in proximity to an axial centreline plane of the abutment surface.

Abstract: A green tyre (2) for bicycles is built, comprising at least one carcass ply (4) having axially opposite end flaps (4a) engaged with respective bead cores (5) and a tread band (6) applied in a radially outer position around said at least one carcass ply (4). The built tyre (2) removed from the building drum, is profiled so as to translate the tread band (6) in a radially outer direction with respect to the bead cores (5), so as to impart a cross-sectional convex profile to the tyre (2) in a radially outer direction. The profiled tire is engaged by means of a transfer member (31) comprising a gripping device (30) which holds it hanging and loads it into a vulcanisation mould (101) by axially positioning an axial centreline plane (M) of the green tyre at an axial reference (51) arranged at a predetermined height along a reference axis (K) of a central body (103) of the vulcanisation mould (101).

Abstract: A vulcanised bicycle tyre (2) is retained by exerting a thrust action on the radially inner surface of the tyre directed radially away from the geometric axis of rotation thereof (X). An unloading device (12) provided with at least one frame (18) and at least one support member (19) of the tyre (2) is positioned with respect to the tyre (2) by aligning it with the geometric axis of rotation (X) of the tyre. The support member (19) is handled with respect to the frame (18) towards an operating position in which it is close to the radially outer surface (2b) of the tyre (2). Finally, the radial thrust action on the radially inner surface (2a) of the tyre (2) is interrupted for releasing said tyre (2) with the radially outer surface (2b) thereof on a contact surface (20) of the support member (19).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to control manufacturing and feeding of semifinished products in a tyre building process, includes detecting at least one first image representative of a semifinished product; dividing the at least one first image into a plurality of first sub-parts, wherein each one of first sub-parts is composed of a plurality of first portions, each one associated with a respective brightness value; defining a first threshold for the brightness values; making a first comparison between the brightness values of the first portions and the first threshold; as a function of the first comparison, determining for each one of the first sub-parts a first operative parameter representative of a total area occupied in each first sub-part by the first portions associated with a brightness value smaller or greater than the first threshold; making a second comparison between each one of the first operative parameters and a second threshold; and causing the generation of a first notification signal as a functio

Abstract: Method for controlling the feed of semifinished products in a tyre building process, said method comprising: feeding a semifinished product (10) into a building station (30) adapted to build, through said semifinished product (10), a structural component of a tyre; performing, in an acquisition zone (AZ), a verification to verify the presence of at least one defect of said semifinished product (10); generating a notification signal (NS) as a function of said verification; activating, as a function of said notification signal (NS), a discard device (60), configured for discarding at least one portion of said semifinished product (10) comprising said at least one defect.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to control manufacturing and feeding of semifinished products in a tyre building process, includes detecting at least one first image representative of a semifinished product; dividing the at least one first image into a plurality of first sub-parts, wherein each one of first sub-parts is composed of a plurality of first portions, each one associated with a respective brightness value; defining a first threshold for the brightness values; making a first comparison between the brightness values of the first portions and the first threshold; as a function of the first comparison, determining for each one of the first sub-parts a first operative parameter representative of a total area occupied in each first sub-part by the first portions associated with a brightness value smaller or greater than the first threshold; making a second comparison between each one of the first operative parameters and a second threshold; and causing the generation of a first notification signal as a functio

Abstract: A toroidal forming drum and a process for budding tyres. The toroidal forming drum is expanded within a shaped carcass sleeve for supporting the carcass sleeve against an abutment surface externally provided by the forming drum. An elementary semi--finished product is applied around the shaped carcass sleeve by pressing the elementary semi-finished product toward the abutment surface. The abutment surface has circumferential rows of solid portions alternated with hollow portions. The solid portions, arranged along axially opposite circumferential edges of the abutment surface, have a transverse size between 10% and 60% of a transverse size presented by the solid portions arranged in proximity to an axial centreline plane of the abutment surface.

Abstract: A carcass sleeve is situated in a radially external position with respect to a toroidal forming drum, arranged in a first radially contracted operative condition. The carcass sleeve is shaped according to a toroidal configuration while the forming drum is positioned inside the carcass sleeve. During shaping of the carcass sleeve, the forming drum is radially expanded up to a second radially expanded operative condition. Upon completed shaping, the carcass sleeve is coupled to the forming drum in the second operative condition. The forming drum, coupled to the shaped carcass sleeve, is arranged in proximity to at least one device for building at least one belt layer at a radially external position relative to the shaped carcass sleeve.