Abstract: An apparatus for mounting spokes (1) between a hub (2) and rim (3) of a spoke wheel (4) comprises a hub support (8) for rotatably supporting the hub. Rim support rollers (11) support the rim concentrically around the hub. A drive (10) is provided for rotating the rim around the axis of the wheel. A rotatably drivable screw driver (14) is adapted to screw nipples (7) onto respective spokes through holes (6) in the rim. By means of a CCD camera (43) the positions of the holes (6) in the rim (3) are detected and a spoke support (36) and the screw driver (14) are adjustable to allow the screw driver and each set of nipple (7), spoke (1) and nipple hole (6) in the rim (3) to be accurately aligned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for laying a pneumatic tire around a wheel rim by a mounting unit which is moved along the wheel rim.According to the invention at least one pair of mounting units is moved with equal speeds along the wheel rim in opposite directions through angles, which together form an angle of substantially 360.degree..The invention further relates to an apparatus for laying a pneumatic tire around a wheel rim using the method wherein a mounting unit is movable along the wheel rim.According to the invention at least one pair of mounting units is provided, which are movable with equal speeds in opposite directions along the wheel rim and which together cover an angle of substantially 360.degree..