Abstract: A method for controlling the thickness of a continuous elongated element made of elastomeric material, applied according to coils wound on a forming support, includes: advancing a head end of the continuous elongated element toward the forming support; subjecting, during the advancement, the continuous elongated element to a first stretching with a first stretch coefficient before applying on the forming support; and subjecting, during the advancement, the continuous elongated element to a second stretching with a second stretch coefficient during the application on the forming support. During the first stretching, a span of the continuous elongated element adjacent to the head end is stretched with a supplementary stretch coefficient greater than the first stretch coefficient, in a manner so as to confer, also to the span adjacent to the head end, a stretch and a section similar or substantially equivalent to those of the rest of the continuous elongated element.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for labelling tires for vehicle wheels. The apparatus includes an application head with a support surface for a label to be applied, at least one label holder feeder and movement devices connected to the application head. The movement devices are configured for moving the application head between the label holder feeder for picking up a label, and an application zone of the label to a green tire. The apparatus further includes a guide device located at the application zone. The guide device includes a guide extending along a predefined path and a support movable along the guide.

Abstract: A carcass ply is built on a forming drum by application of a plurality of strip-like elements by the steps of: setting a width of these strip-like elements, setting a width of the overlapped part between two adjacent strip-like elements, setting a fitting diameter of the forming drum by calculating a corresponding extension of a radially external laying surface, and calculating a whole number of strip-like elements to be applied. The whole number of drip-like elements is applied by rotating the forming drum around a geometric rotation axis thereof, and applying pairs of strip-like elements by means of a first laying unit and a second laying unit located close to opposite portions of the forming drum relative to the geometric rotation axis.

Abstract: Production of carcass structures and/or production of crown structures includes: positioning a first continuous elongated element so that its end stretch is aligned with a cutting position; positioning a second continuous elongated element so that its end stretch is in side by side relationship with the end stretch of the first continuous elongated element; forming first strip-like elements from the first continuous elongated element; depositing the first strip-like elements on at least one forming drum; translating the end stretches of the first and second continuous elongated element in a transverse direction relative to their longitudinal extension to align the end stretch of the second continuous elongated element to said cutting position; forming second strip-like elements from the second continuous elongated element; and depositing the second strip-like elements on said at least one forming drum.

Abstract: A plant for building tires for vehicle wheels, includes at least one forming drum having a supporting shaft axially projecting from opposite sides relative to a central body. A handling device is adapted to engage the forming drum and transfer it between at least one loading/unloading location and a work location provided for carrying out at least one process working on the forming drum. The handling device includes a grip assembly carrying at least two grip members each engaging the supporting shaft in the vicinity of each of the end portions thereof, and at least one motor associated with at least one of said grip members for driving the forming drum in rotation while the at least one process working is being carried out in the work location.

Abstract: A method for controlling the thickness of a continuous elongated element made of elastomeric material, applied according to coils wound on a forming support, includes: advancing a head end of the continuous elongated element toward the forming support; subjecting, during the advancement, the continuous elongated element to a first stretching with a first stretch coefficient before applying on the forming support; and subjecting, during the advancement, the continuous elongated element to a second stretching with a second stretch coefficient during the application on the forming support. During the first stretching, a span of the continuous elongated element adjacent to the head end is stretched with a supplementary stretch coefficient greater than the first stretch coefficient, in a manner so as to confer, also to the span adjacent to the head end, a stretch and a section similar or substantially equivalent to those of the rest of the continuous elongated element.

Abstract: An apparatus for checking tyres has a support, deformation systems, positioning actuators and a moving member. The deformation systems apply, in operation, compression forces on respective surfaces of a free wall of the tyre to form deformed portions of the free wall. The positioning actuators move the deformation systems towards and away from the surfaces. The moving member sets the tyre in relative rotation with respect to the deformation systems.

Abstract: Method for setting up a tyre checking apparatus, said apparatus (1) comprising at least: a support base (34) for a tyre (2) a first acquisition device (430) and a second acquisition device (43a) for acquiring images representative of said tyre (2) positioned on said support base (34); a first robotic member (40a) for moving said second acquisition device (43a). Said method comprises: providing a setup device (100) comprising : a first wall (110) having first predefined shapes (F1); a second wall (120) having second predefined shapes (F2), said second wall (120) being substantially parallel and non-coplanar to said first wall (110); a top surface (130); a central reference (140) arranged on said top surface (130). Said method also comprises: executing at least one of a first set-up and a second set-up.

Abstract: A plurality of strip-like elements is applied onto a forming drum externally having a substantially cylindrical laying surface. The strip-like elements are disposed in mutually approached relationship to form at least one first annular reinforcing layer on the forming drum itself set to a first work diameter at which each of the applied strip-like elements on the laying surface subtends an arc of a circumference of a width as large as a submultiple integer of the overall circumferential extension of the laying surface itself. Adjustment devices operating on the forming drum subsequently carry out expansion of the latter to a second work diameter larger than the first work diameter, while maintaining its laying surface substantially cylindrical.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for applying noise reducing elements to tyres for vehicle wheels. The apparatus includes a loading station of stacks of noise reducing elements, an extraction station of noise reducing elements from each stack placed downstream of the loading station, and a conveyor placed downstream of the extraction station and extending along a predefined path. The conveyor is configured for supporting and advancing in a row the noise reducing elements extracted from the stacks which are then applied to a radially inner surface of the tyres. The extraction of each of the noise reducing elements contemplates: retaining a first noise reducing element placed at the base of a stack; raising the remaining noise reducing elements of the stack from the first noise reducing element; moving away the first noise reducing element according to a set path; and lowering the remaining noise reducing elements of the stack.

Abstract: Building the carcass structure of tyres for vehicle wheels includes associating, at each end edge of a carcass ply, at least one respective annular reinforcement structure formed by depositing along a circumferential direction a plurality of reinforcement elements having a first length. Such elements are cut to size from a reinforced continuous band-like element fed to a cutting group arranged at a first operative position adapted to allow a barycentric grip of the reinforcement elements. The cutting group can translate along a feeding direction of the band-like element to a second operative position for cutting to size a plurality of second reinforcement elements having a second length different from the first length. The second operative position is defined on the basis of the second length, so as to have a barycentric grip of the second reinforcement elements too.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for labelling tyres for vehicle wheels. The apparatus includes an application head with a support surface for a label to be applied, at least one label holder feeder and movement devices connected to the application head. The movement devices are configured for moving the application head between the label holder feeder for picking up a label, and an application zone of the label to a green tyre. The apparatus further includes a guide device located at the application zone. The guide device includes a guide extending along a predefined path and a support movable along the guide.

Abstract: A reinforcement annular structure of a tyre being processed is formed by arranging a forming drum externally carrying a deposition surface; arranging an application member supported in thrust relation toward the deposition surface; longitudinally guiding a continuous elongated element toward a point of application between the deposition surface and a work surface presented by the application member; and winding the continuous elongated element circumferentialiy around the deposition surface in order to form coils that are axially side-by-side each other. During winding, the work surface of the application member operates in abutment relation against at least one of the cons previously formed by the continuous elongated element.

Abstract: In an assembly station a carcass sleeve and an outer sleeve manufactured along respective building ones are mutually coupled. Integrated into the assembly station are engagement devices that can be alternatively coupled to an auxiliary drum carrying an outer sleeve and to a building drum carrying a carcass sleeve. A grip unit picks up the outer sleeve from the auxiliary drum associated with the engagement devices in order to position it to a location radially external to the carcass sleeve carried by the building drum associated with the engagement devices in place of the auxiliary drum. Shaping devices that can be operatively coupled to the building drum cause radial expansion of the carcass sleeve so as to enable the latter to be coupled to the outer sleeve retained by the grip unit.

Abstract: A method for managing the continuous feeding of an elongate element wound on reels to a station for building a tire, wherein the elongate element is continuously supplied from an unwinding device of successive reels. When the terminal end of the elongate element wound on a first reel leaves said first reel, the method provides for: the first reel to be moved away from the unwinding device on a first movable carriage; a second reel, successive to the first reel, and mounted on a second movable carriage, to be positioned in place of the first reel; and the terminal end of the elongate element previously wound on the first reel, to be joined to the starting end of the elongate element wound on the second reel.

Abstract: A plant and a process for producing tyres for vehicle wheels, includes the steps of: a) building a carcass structure of a green tyre on a first forming drum in at least one carcass structure building line, the carcass structure including at least one carcass ply and a pair of annular anchoring structures; b) building a crown structure of a green tyre on at least one second forming drum in at least one crown structure building line, the crown structure including at least one belt structure and a tread band; c) toroidally shaping the carcass structure assembling it to the crown structure in at least one assembling and shaping work station for the tyre being processed, the assembling and shaping work station being synchronized with the carcass structure building line and with the crown structure building line; wherein each carcass structure is associated with the respective first forming drum whereon it is built up to the end of step c) of shaping and assembling the tyre being processed; and d) moulding and vulc

Abstract: A forming drum has circumferentially consecutive sectors that are radially movable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition in which the sectors are radially moved away from a geometric axis in order to define a radially external abutment surface. Each sector has circumferentially opposite coupling portions, each having circumferential projections alternated with circumferential cavities. The projections of each sector are slidably engaged in the respective cavities of circumferentially adjacent sectors. From at least one of the projections, at least one support wing is extended having a first side and a second side that are respectively opposite. The first side coincides with a portion of the abutment surface and the second side at least partially overlaps one of the projections belonging to an adjacent sector. A process for building tyres employing the drum is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for controlling tyres wherein the apparatus includes at least one control station which includes: a base; a rotating table mounted on the base so as to be able to rotate around a respective vertical rotation axis; at least one control device operatively active at the rotating table; and a movement device configured for rotating the rotating table around the vertical rotation axis. The rotating table has a substantially horizontal abutment portion configured for receiving and supporting a sidewall of a tyre to be controlled. The abutment portion is movable in the horizontal plane according to two directions with respect to the vertical rotation axis by means of an actuator. A detection device is configured for detecting a shift between the vertical rotation axis and the main axis of the tyre.

Abstract: In the building of a carcass structure for tyres of vehicle wheels, the step of reinforcing with a loop at least one annular anchoring structure (10) associated at the axially opposite end edges of a carcass ply is carried out. Said reinforcement step is carried out on at least one radially expandable/contractable service drum (107a, 107b) and comprises the steps of: setting the service drum (107a, 107b) to a predetermined radial dimension selected according to the fitting diameter of the tyre to be manufactured, depositing the loop (5) on the service drum (107a, 107b), loading the annular anchoring structure (10) onto the service drum (107a, 107b) in a radially outer position with respect to the loop (5), radially expanding the service drum (107a, 107b) up to lock in position the annular anchoring structure (10), rotating the service drum (107a, 107b) about a longitudinal axis (X-X) thereof and, during such a rotation, turning the loop (5) up about the annular anchoring structure (10).

Abstract: A plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels, includes a sleeve building area in which devices for obtaining carcass sleeves operate, a crown building area in which devices for obtaining crown structures operate and a shaping station for shaping each carcass sleeve according to a toroidal configuration. Transfer devices for transferring the carcass sleeves from the sleeve building area to the shaping station, by means of a first translator configured for picking up each carcass sleeve from an outlet station of the sleeve building area, a second translator configured for releasing each carcass sleeve in the shaping station, and a storage device operatively interposed between said first translator and second translator.