Abstract: Method and station for the skiving of the equatorial surface of the casing of a pneumatic tire during a retreading process of the same pneumatic tire; the old worn tread is removed from the pneumatic tire in order to expose the equatorial surface of the casing of the pneumatic tire; the presence of any damage on the equatorial surface of the casing is identified by capturing a three-dimensional profile of the equatorial surface of the casing by means of a laser type profilometer and by analyzing the same three-dimensional profile; and the equatorial surface of the casing is skived where there is damage resulting from the formation of craters on the equatorial surface.

Abstract: A system for leak testing an envelope for a tire assembly can include a rim, an envelope sized to accommodate a green tire assembly and secured to the rim, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the envelope, and a controller. The controller can be configured to pressurize the envelope to a predetermined pressure, compare a slope of pressure over time to a predetermined value, and enable proceeding with a depressurization of the envelope responsive to determining the slope of the pressure over time being more than or equal to the predetermined value.

Abstract: A method of retreading a tire casing includes the step of disposing a cured rubber tread on a carcass with a layer of hot-melt material interposed between the tread and the carcass. The method continues with the step of rollering the tread by means of at least one roller with a width (r) that is less than a width (b) of the tread.

Abstract: A method of applying a laminate to a tire includes pre-treating a portion of the tire and placing the laminate on at least the pre-treated portion of the tire. The method further includes placing an electrical heating element on top of the laminate and placing a pressure element over the electrical heating element and the laminate. The method also includes applying heat and pressure to the laminate using the electrical heating element and the pressure element to permanently adhere the laminate to the tire.

Abstract: Particular embodiments include a retreaded tire and a method for retreading a tire. A method may include providing a tire tread having a thickness and a width with grooves extending into the thickness from a tread top side, and providing a tire carcass having an annular tread-receiving side. The method may include applying the tread to the tire carcass with a layer of bonding material arranged between the tread and the tire carcass, and evacuating a gas from between the tire carcass and the tread bottom side through an aperture extending through the tread thickness, the aperture being formed by piercing the tread thickness with a suctioning member arranged in operable communication with a vacuum source, and bonding the tread to the tire carcass. In particular embodiments, portions of the bottom side of the tread beneath the grooves are not bonded to the tire carcass or the bonding layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating an AVN (Audio, Video and Navigation) monitor for a vehicle may include a belt guider which is installed in an accommodation space of a dashboard and around which a belt, moving in a longitudinal direction of the belt guider, is wound, a guide rail fixed to the belt guider and extending in the longitudinal direction of the belt guider, a monitor hinge connected to the belt and engaged to the guide rail and an end of a connection bracket so as to move along the guide rail, wherein the connection bracket is connected to the AVN monitor, and a driving force transmission gear engaged with the belt to move the belt in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method and system (1) for retreading a tire (2), whereby the worn tread is removed from the tire (2); a green-rubber cushion (8) is wound about a carcass (6) of the tire (2); a tread strip (9) is wound about the carcass (6) and on top of the green-rubber cushion (8); and the carcass (6), complete with the green-rubber cushion (8) and the tread strip (9), is cured; prior to winding the green-rubber cushion (8) about the carcass (6), the lateral surface (7) of the carcass (6) is heated.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the invention comprise multi-wear layer tire treads for retreaded tires and methods of forming retreaded tires. In particular embodiments, a multi-wear layer tire tread includes a thickness bounded depth wise by a ground-engaging top side and a bottom side, the thickness extending laterally between opposing side edges and longitudinally in a lengthwise direction of the tread. Such tire tread may further include a removable tread portion recessed from the top side to form a subsequent wear layer, the removable tread portion extending into the tread thickness from the bottom side and terminating a distance below the top side, the removable portion having a width arranged between opposing interior surfaces of the tread recessed below the top side.

Abstract: The invention comprises a tire tread, and tire, and a method of forming a tire having the tire tread. Particular embodiments of the tire tread have a tread thickness bounded by a top side and a bottom side, and a groove extending into the tread thickness from the top side and terminating within the tread thickness at a groove bottom. A thickness of the tread extends from the groove bottom to a protruding portion of the bottom side of the tread below the groove bottom such that portions of the bottom side adjacent the protruding portion are recessed within the tread thickness. Such tire tread further includes a plurality of strengthening members forming protrusions extending into the groove from the groove bottom and from at least one side of the pair of opposing groove sides, the plurality of strengthening members being arranged along a length of the groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for retreading a radial tyre (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a crown (2) comprising a tread (3) provided with at least a radially outer part (3a) intended to come into contact with the road; two non-stretchable beads (4), two sidewalls (5) connecting the beads (4) to the tread (3), a carcass reinforcement (6) passing into the two sidewalls (5) and anchored in the beads (4); a crown reinforcement or belt (7) positioned circumferentially between the radially outer part (3a) of the tread (3) and the carcass reinforcement (6); a radially inner elastomer layer (8), referred to as “underlayer”, having a formulation different from the formulation of the radially outer part (3a) of the tread, this underlayer being itself positioned circumferentially between the radially outer part (3a) of the tread (3) and the crown reinforcement (7); the said underlayer comprising at least one thermoplastic elastomer, the said thermoplastic elastomer being a block copolymer compri

Abstract: A method and system for retreading a tire; the method including the steps of: removing the worn tread from the tire; winding a green-rubber cushion about the tire; forming at least one longitudinal groove in an inner surface of a tread strip; applying to the inner surface of the tread strip a green-rubber strip which is inserted inside the longitudinal groove to fill the longitudinal groove; winding the tread strip about the tire and on top of the green-rubber cushion; and curing the tire fitted with the green-rubber cushion and the tread strip.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved tire tread having recessed lateral grooves, and a tire having the same. Particular embodiments of the tread include a tread thickness bounded depthwise by a top side configured to engage a ground surface during tire operation and a bottom side configured to attach to a tire carcass, the thickness extending laterally between a first side edge and a second side edge and longitudinally in a lengthwise direction of the tread. The tread further includes a longitudinal groove in fluid communication with the top side or the bottom side of the tread thickness and a lateral groove in fluid communication with the bottom side of the tread thickness extending from the first side edge intersecting the longitudinal groove forming a vent passageway extending from the longitudinal groove and to the first side edge. The invention includes methods of forming such treads and molds there for.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention comprise methods for retreading a tire and a retreaded tire formed by such methods. Such methods include assembling a retreaded tire by: applying a bonding layer along an outer side of a pre-existing tread layer of a tire carcass and within the one or more voids arranged within the pre-existing tread layer and applying a new, uncured tread layer along an outer side of the bonding layer. Such methods further include arranging an annular mold about the outer side of the tread of the assembled retreaded tire such that one or more void molding elements are arranged to terminate overtop and adjacent one of the one or more voids arranged within the pre-existing tread layer outer side. Such methods further include molding the new tread layer to the tire carcass according to hot retreading operations.

Abstract: A process for retreading a tire, the process comprising the steps of providing a liquid rubber cement composition including a solvent, providing a release liner, applying the liquid cement composition to the release liner to form a wet film on said release liner, allowing the solvent to evaporate to thereby convert the wet film to a dried film on the release liner and thereby form a dry-transfer cement composite, providing a cured rubber component having first and second planar surfaces, where the first planar surface includes a tread pattern, adhering the dried film to the second planar surface of the cured rubber component to thereby form a tread composite, and preparing a retreaded tire using the tread composite.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include multi-wear layer treads having variable depth grooves for retreaded tires, retreaded tires, and methods of forming retreaded tires. In particular embodiments, such multi-wear layer tire treads include a thickness bounded depthwise by a top side configured to engage a ground surface during tire operation and a bottom side configured for attachment to a tire carcass, the thickness extending laterally between opposing side edges and longitudinally in a lengthwise direction of the tread. Such tread may further include a top groove extending a variable depth into the tread thickness from the top side, the top groove having a groove bottom that varies depthwise within the tread thickness to form multiple wear layers. In other embodiments, top grooves may or may not be variable depth grooves, while the tread further include a bottom groove extending a variable depth into the tread thickness from the bottom side.

Abstract: A retread tire and methods for its manufacture, the retread tire having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. The precured tread band includes a back face bonded to the prepared bonding surface of the base portion of the tire and a tread groove bottom portion that extends below the back face of the tread band. The tread groove bottom portion may optionally include a void portion of the tread groove and may include the bottom wall of the tread groove and/or just the side walls of the bottom portion of the tread groove. Also included may be a base groove formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the tread groove bottom of the tread groove is embedded within the base groove.

Abstract: Methods, computer programs, and apparatus for applying a layer of cushion gum to a tire casing in preparation for the retreading of the tire casing, the steps of the methods including selecting one of a plurality recipes for applying cushion gum based on one of a size, model and shape of the tire casing; pressurizing the tire casing to a predetermined pressure based on the recipe; crushing the tire casing by an extruder head a predetermined percentage of the tire casing radius or a predetermined distance, the predetermined percentage based on the recipe; and extruding the cushion gum from the extruder head. The extruder head may be translatable by way of a screw drive.

Abstract: A tread for use in a tire retread process includes a first side and a second, flat side. A plurality of lugs is formed on a first side of the tread and arranged along in a periodically repeating tread pattern. A set of marks is formed in at least one outer lug and defines a finite linear distance along the tread within which the tread is adapted to be cut into the length of tread, such that when the length of tread is deposited around the casing of the tire and the ends of the length of tread are placed in abutting relationship one relative to the other along a seam, the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous. The set of marks is predetermined in advance of retreading to be located in positions where at least some of the performance and processing characteristics of the tread may be improved.

Abstract: A system for constructing a pneumatic tire includes a tread component having two opposite tread splice ends, a water based adhesive applied to the tread splice ends for securing the tread splice ends to each other; and a heating means applied to the tread splice ends and water based adhesive for reducing drying duration of the water based adhesive.

Abstract: Embodiments include retreaded tires having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire, the tread band including a primary groove having a top open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band and a secondary groove having a bottom open to a back face of the tread band, the back face bonded to the prepared bonding surface, wherein the groove top of the secondary groove is higher than a groove bottom of the primary groove so that the secondary groove top is opened to the ground contacting front face of the tread band prior to disappearance by wear of the primary groove. A base groove may be formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the secondary groove bottom opens in fluid communication with the base groove.

Abstract: A tire manufacturing apparatus capable of precisely mounting an annular tread on a base tire with the width center of the base tire aligned accurately with the width center of the annular tread without causing the tread to wave or the tread edges to turn up or deform. The tire manufacturing apparatus includes a drum to which a base tire is secured, a plurality of holding means extending in the width direction of the annular tread for holding the inner periphery of the annular tread, and a detecting means for detecting the amount of displacement of the annular tread relative to a predetermined position of each of the holding means. The holding means are each provided with a conveying means for moving the position of the annular tread held by the holding means. Each of the conveying means positions the annular tread at the predetermined position of each of the holding means based on the amount of displacement detected by the detecting means.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: A system and method for removing an outer layer of resilient material from an object to achieve a target outer dimension includes performing an initial cut at a cutting depth to remove an outer layer of the material. A parameter indicative of a work input to a cutter that performed the cut is acquired and used to determine the cutting depth that will be used for performing a subsequent cut to remove an additional layer. In this way, subsequent cuts are performed until the target outer dimension is achieved.

Abstract: Included are tread bands for use on retreaded tires and methods for retreading a tire using such tread bands. Embodiments of such tread bands include a primary groove having a top opening that is open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band and a secondary groove having a bottom opening that is open to a back face of the tread band. The groove top of the secondary groove is higher than a groove bottom of the primary groove so that the secondary groove top is opened to the ground contacting front face of the tread band prior to disappearance by wear of the primary groove. Particular embodiments may also further include an overflow reservoir having a reservoir opening that is open to the back face of the tread band, the reservoir opening being positioned adjacent to an edge of the secondary groove bottom opening.

Abstract: Embodiments include a retreaded tire having a precured tread band bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. The precured tread band may include a tread groove having a bottom and a top, the top of the groove open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band, the precured tread band further comprising a back face, the back face bonded to a prepared bonding surface of a base portion of the tire. A base groove may be formed in the base portion of the tire and open to the prepared bonding surface of the tire, wherein the tread groove bottom is aligned over a length of the base groove. In some embodiments, the tread groove bottom may be open to the base groove over at least 50% or the entire length of the base groove.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the present invention include a contoured tire tread, and a mold and method for forming the contoured tread. In a particular embodiment, a mold is provided for forming a contoured tread, the mold including a first mold member and a second mold member. The first and second mold members are reversibly displaceable from each other from a first, closed position in which the first and second members substantially enclose a mold cavity, to a second open position in which the first and second members are displaced from each other. The first mold member contains a mold cavity adapted to contain a polymeric material and having inner wall members and sipe-forming members. The first mold member having a contoured mold cavity bottom surface, and the second mold member having a contoured molding surface.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method of forming a retreaded tire includes the steps of: applying a tread to a tread-engaging portion of a tire carcass, the tread having an initial width and a layer of cushion gum interposed between the tread and tire carcass; placing a curing membrane about the tread to form a tire curing assembly having a compartment between the membrane and tread; placing the tire curing assembly in a vessel chamber; pressurizing the chamber to a predetermined pressure; heating the chamber to a predetermined temperature; pressurizing the compartment to a pressure greater than 14.7 psia and less than the chamber pressure to provide a pressure differential, the step initializing after the step of pressurizing the chamber initializes and whereby a final tread width is provided that is equal to 98.0% or more of the initial tread width when the initial tread width is approximately 290-500 mm.

Abstract: A method and system for retreading a tire, whereby: the worn tread is removed from the tire to expose a lateral surface of a casing; the lateral surface of the casing is skived, thus resulting in the formation of holes and/or craters; a three-dimensional profile of the lateral surface is acquired by a three-dimensional scanner; the locations of the holes and/or craters in the lateral surface are determined by analyzing the three-dimensional profile; cement is only applied at the holes and/or craters in the lateral surface, by supplying the locations of the holes and/or craters to an automatic, electronically controlled applicator; the holes and/or craters are filled with green rubber; a green-rubber cushion and a tread strip are wound about the lateral surface of the casing; and the tire is cured.

Abstract: A process and method for retreading a heavy duty tire with a polyurethane tread where, after a tire carcass is inspected, cleaned and the worn tire tread is removed, the tire carcass receives a tube fitted therein and is installed in a mold cavity, between top and bottom mold rings. The mold rings each include spaced segments that inter-digitate and will form equal spaced tread voids in a finished recapped tire. The bottom mold ring inner edge top includes a continuous sealing lug, and the top ring is open to pass a flow of polyurethane materials, that is received off of a lower edge of a cone shaped spreader positioned onto the tire carcass top side wall and slides, as a sheet, into the mold, filling the mold cavity from bottom to top, forcing air from the mold ahead of the fill and forming the recapped tire tread.

Abstract: A system and method for removing an outer layer of resilient material from an object to achieve a target outer dimension includes performing an initial cut at a cutting depth to remove an outer layer of the material. A parameter indicative of a work input to a cutter that performed the cut is acquired and used to determine the cutting depth that will be used for performing a subsequent cut to remove an additional layer. In this way, subsequent cuts are performed until the target outer dimension is achieved.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for retreading a tire, which include providing a tire carcass for retreading, the tire carcass having a pre-existing tread layer including one or more voids extending into the tread layer thickness from an outer side. A bonding layer is applied along an outer side of the pre-existing tread layer, the bonding layer substantially filling the voids arranged along the outer side of the pre-existing tread layer to provide an outer surface for receiving the pre-cured bonding layer. A pre-cured tread layer is applied along an outer side of the bonding layer such that the bonding layer is arranged between the pre-cured tread layer and the pre-existing tread layer. The pre-cured tread layer is bonded to the tire carcass to form a retreaded tire having are treaded tire tread. Grooves are then formed in the retreaded tire tread along a ground-engaging, outer side of the retreaded tire tread.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are used to provide ways of tire tread molding and retreading with a double tread rubber body having a unitary structure that comprises two treads in order to remove the need for buffing an oxide layer typically associated with tread molding and curing. Embodiments of the double tread molding and retreading methods also remove the need for cementing the cured tread to prevent future oxidation buildup. Once the double tread is cured and cooled, it is cut along the centerline with a double tread separation apparatus to expose a soft non-oxidized inner rubber. The cutting is much less energy intensive when compared to buffing with an expendable wire brush. There is no risk of spots of oxidized rubber being missed as is the case with buffing. There is little or no dust created.

Abstract: A process for recovering rubber from a tire, the tire including a rubber tread block, steel belting, and an inner liner that serves to hold the air pressure in the tire. The bead and sidewall may be removed from the tire leaving a loop of tread material. Next, the loop is placed on a rubber-separating machine to hold the loop in place. One or more cutting blades are lowered into position at the tread portion of the tire. Once the blades are in place, the tread loop is placed in motion around the rollers. As the blades contact the steel belts, the cutting blades separate the tread rubber from the reinforced rubber at the interface between the tread rubber and the steel belts.

Abstract: The invention relates to retreaded tires and method of preparation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of retreading a pneumatic tire, comprising the steps of: A) mixing a tire retread cushion laminate of to form a cushion compound, the tire retread cushion laminate comprising a first rubber layer, a second rubber layer, and an intermediate rubber layer disposed between the first and second rubber layers such that the first and second rubber layers do not meet; the first rubber layer comprising a sulfur donor and substantially devoid of vulcanization accelerators; the second rubber layer comprising a vulcanization accelerator and substantially devoid of sulfur donors; the intermediate rubber layer being substantially devoid of sulfur donors or vulcanization accelerators; B) applying the cushion compound to a tire carcass; and C) applying a tread portion to the cushion compound.

Abstract: A method of applying a water-base adhesive mix for producing tires, the method including a step of applying a layer of adhesive mix to a work surface; and a step of drying the layer, and which includes microwave heating.

Abstract: A method of cutting a length of tire tread for a retread tire includes measuring a circumference of the tire casing and cushion gum, and dispensing a length of tire tread from a roll based on the measured circumference. The length of tire tread relative to a tread cutter is adjusted so that the tire tread design at the point where the tread may be cut is between a set of marks formed in the periodically repeating tread design. The tread is then cut along a linear length of the tread disposed within the marks so that the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous across a seam defined when the section of tire tread is wrapped around the casing such that the first and second ends meet in abutting relationship.

Abstract: A mold (150) for a tread layer (40) having tread-forming side and sole-forming side, the sole-forming side having a plurality of mold elements (56) extending therefrom toward the tread-forming side. Either the mold elements (56) or the sole-forming side of the mold is configured to create a tread layer (40) having a recessed tread element such as an incision, lateral groove, longitudinal groove or other void on the sole side of the tread layer that enables the edges of the recessed tread element to obtain full coverage when subjected to an abrasion process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of retreading a tire and a retread tire (10) made by this method. The method comprises the steps of providing a tread layer (40) having a tread side (44) and a sole side (46) wherein the surface of the sole side (46) includes a plurality of tread elements (48) such as sipes and/or grooves or other void. Each tread element (48) has a first edge (64) and a second edge (66) at the surface of the sole side (46) of the tread layer (40). At least one of the first edge (64) and second edge (66) is formed to have a break edge (84) such as a rounded edge or a chamfered edge of 0.4 mm or more. The break edge (84) removes the sharp corner and provides increased endurance for the retreaded tire (10).

Abstract: A method and system for retreading a tyre, whereby: the worn tread is removed from the tyre to expose a lateral surface of a casing; the lateral surface of the casing is skived, thus resulting in the formation of holes and/or craters; a three-dimensional profile of the lateral surface is acquired by a three-dimensional scanner; the locations of the holes and/or craters in the lateral surface are determined by analysing the three-dimensional profile; cement is only applied at the holes and/or craters in the lateral surface, by supplying the locations of the holes and/or craters to an automatic, electronically controlled applicator; the holes and/or craters are filled with green rubber; a green-rubber cushion and a tread strip are wound about the lateral surface of the casing; and the tyre is cured.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire tread strip and method of preparation.

Abstract: Provided in some embodiments is a method that includes coupling portions of one or more members using at least one impact driven fastener. At least one impact driven fastener includes at least one penetrating portion formed of plastic, and at least one head portion having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F. Plastic of the penetrating portion provides the penetrating portion with a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi. The method also includes applying heat to at least partially deform the head portion of at least one fastener.

Abstract: Included are tread bands for use on retreaded tires and methods for retreading a tire using such tread bands. Embodiments of such tread bands include a primary groove having a top opening that is open to a ground contacting front face of the tread band and a secondary groove having a bottom opening that is open to a back face of the tread band. The groove top of the secondary groove is higher than a groove bottom of the primary groove so that the secondary groove top is opened to the ground contacting front face of the tread band prior to disappearance by wear of the primary groove. Particular embodiments may also further include an overflow reservoir having a reservoir opening that is open to the back face of the tread band, the reservoir opening being positioned adjacent to an edge of the secondary groove bottom opening.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying a tread to a carcass of a tire; the machine has a rotary drum supporting the carcass, a feed conveyor for feeding the tread to the rotary drum, a pressure roller contacting the tread, an actuating device for pushing the pressure roller against the tread with a force of adjustable intensity, and a control unit for regulating the intensity of the force as a function of an error variable calculated as the difference between the length of the remaining portion of the circumference of the carcass, and the length of the remaining portion of the tread; and the control unit regulates the intensity of the force by means of a proportional control block having a gain varying as a function of the value of the error variable and as a function of the rate of change of the error variable.

Abstract: A computer based detecting system that detects a defective tire assembly during the curing process is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of temperature sensors connected to a processor of the computer system and further connected to each hose that is connected between a tire assembly inside an autoclave, and an external manifold of the autoclave. The processor receives data input from each of the temperature sensors and decodes the data to determine the current temperature of each sensor and simultaneously calculates the average temperature of all the temperature sensors connected. The processor compares the temperature reading of each station with the average temperature and notifies should the difference between the temperature average and temperature sensor reading equal or is greater than a selected temperature deviation.

Abstract: A retreaded pneumatic truck tire includes a used carcass having a uniform annular attachment area and a retread element. The retread element secures to the attachment area of the used carcass. The retread element has a tread pattern comprising a first circumferential groove separating the tread pattern into a first shoulder rib and an intermediate rib and a second circumferential groove separating the tread pattern into the intermediate rib and a second shoulder rib. The tread pattern further comprises a first plurality of identical arcuate notches extending axially and circumferentially across the first circumferential groove and a second plurality of identical arcuate notches extending axially and circumferentially across the second circumferential groove. The first plurality of arcuate notches are offset circumferentially from the second plurality of arcuate notches.

Abstract: A retreaded tire capable of improving unbalance of the tire is efficiently produced. Retread rubber has the largest thickness in a joint part F on the circumference. Such a joint part F is arranged in a minimal location S (corresponding to a light location of static unbalance), in which a rubber gauge G as measured in a radial direction of the tire from a buffed surface K of a base tire D to an outer surface of an outermost belt cord L embedded in an outermost belt layer disposed in a radially outermost side among belt layers constituting a belt is minimal on the circumference in an equatorial plane of the tire in attaching so that the total rubber gauge of the retread rubber T at the joint part F surely approaches total rubber gauges at other locations on the circumference to effectively reduce unbalance.

Abstract: A system and method for removing an outer layer of resilient material from an object to achieve a target outer dimension includes performing an initial cut at a cutting depth to remove an outer layer of the material. A parameter indicative of a work input to a cutter that performed the cut is acquired and used to determine the cutting depth that will be used for performing a subsequent cut to remove an additional layer. In this way, subsequent cuts are performed until the target outer dimension is achieved.

Abstract: A method of cutting a length of tire tread for a retread tire includes measuring a circumference of the tire casing and cushion gum, and dispensing a length of tire tread from a roll based on the measured circumference. The length of tire tread relative to a tread cutter is adjusted so that the tire tread design at the point where the tread may be cut is between a set of marks formed in the periodically repeating tread design. The tread is then cut along a linear length of the tread disposed within the marks so that the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous across a seam defined when the section of tire tread is wrapped around the casing such that the first and second ends meet in abutting relationship.

Abstract: Structural components are disclosed that are fabricated from unidirectional carbon fiber composite materials into compound contour profiles along a longitudinal axis thereof without wrinkling of composite material plies oriented in various directions relative to the longitudinal axis. Methods of stacking, sequencing, and applying the material plies to fabricate the components are also disclosed.