Abstract: A tire inspection line includes first and second inspection posts and a transfer apparatus. The first post is for macroscopic inspection and includes a driver for rotating a tire, a macro-image acquisition device for acquiring a macroscopic image of the tire, and a first processor for analyzing the macroscopic image by digital image processing, comparing the macroscopic image with a reference image, and detecting deviations in shape. The second post is for microscopic inspection and includes a driver for rotating the tire, a micro-image acquisition device for acquiring a microscopic image of the tire, and a second processor for analyzing the microscopic image by digital image processing, comparing the microscopic image with a reference image representing a desired surface condition of the tire, and detecting local surface deviations. The transfer apparatus is for transferring the tire from the first post to a discharge point or to the second post.

Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring images of an interior surface of a tire includes at least one image acquisition module. Each image acquisition module is provided with a lighting source, an image acquisition device, and a reflector. The lighting source is arranged to project a beam of light onto a predetermined zone of the interior surface of the tire. The image acquisition device is arranged to acquire a reflected beam of light, which corresponds to light from the beam of light from the lighting source that is reflected off the predetermined zone of the tire. The reflector is positioned optically between the lighting source and the predetermined zone of the tire. Each image acquisition module may be provided with a plurality of lighting sources, image acquisition devices, and reflectors.

Abstract: An inspection device for holding and turning a tire includes a centering structure which centers a first bead of the tire, a locking structure which locks the first bead in a centered position, a rotational driver which turns the tire about a tire axis, and at least one centering gripper module which interacts with a second bead of the tire. Each centering gripper module is provided with an internal spacing roller, an external holding roller, and a centering roller. The internal spacing roller is able to press axially against an internal face of the second bead. The external holding roller is able to bear axially against an external face of the second bead opposite the internal face. The centering roller is able to bear radially against the second bead and extends substantially axially. The internal spacing roller and the external holding roller extend substantially radially.

Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring images of an interior surface of a tire includes at least one image acquisition module. Each image acquisition module is provided with a lighting source, an image acquisition device, and a reflector. The lighting source is arranged to project a beam of light onto a predetermined zone of the interior surface of the tire. The image acquisition device is arranged to acquire a reflected beam of light, which corresponds to light from the beam of light from the lighting source that is reflected off the predetermined zone of the tire. The reflector is positioned optically between the lighting source and the predetermined zone of the tire. Each image acquisition module may be provided with a plurality of lighting sources, image acquisition devices, and reflectors.

Abstract: The device 10 for holding and turning a tire 12 comprises centring means 14 for centring a first lateral bead of the tire, locking means 16 for locking the said bead in the centred position, turning means for driving the tire about its axis X-X?, and at least one gripping and centring module 20 for a second lateral bead of the tire provided with at least one internal spacing roller 22 able to press axially against the internal face of the second lateral bead, with at least one external holding roller 24 able to come to bear axially against the opposite external face of the said second bead, the said spacing and holding rollers extending substantially radially, and with at least one centring roller 28 able to come to bear radially against the said second lateral bead and extending substantially axially.

Abstract: A tire inspection line includes first and second inspection posts and a transfer apparatus. The first post is for macroscopic inspection and includes a driver for rotating a tire, a macro-image acquisition device for acquiring a macroscopic image of the tire, and a first processor for analyzing the macroscopic image by digital image processing, comparing the macroscopic image with a reference image, and detecting deviations in shape. The second post is for microscopic inspection and includes a driver for rotating the tire, a micro-image acquisition device for acquiring a microscopic image of the tire, and a second processor for analyzing the microscopic image by digital image processing, comparing the microscopic image with a reference image representing a desired surface condition of the tire, and detecting local surface deviations. The transfer apparatus is for transferring the tire from the first post to a discharge point or to the second post.

Abstract: A for inspecting the internal surface located between a first and a second bead of a tire (P), comprising means for acquiring the image of the internal surface (1) of the tire, and centering means that are able to lock the first bead around its entire circumference on a reference plate, and to set the tire into relative rotation about its axis XX? with respect to said image acquisition means. This device comprises means for opening and for holding the second bead, said means comprising two internal holding rollers (32, 32) which have a generally radial axis, and at least one external holding roller (33) which has a generally radial axis, is disposed substantially in the middle of the angular sector formed by the two internal holding rollers (31, 32) and is able to come into abutment against the external part of said second bead, the internal (31, 32) and external (33) holding rollers being mounted so as to rotate as one about the axis XX? of said image acquisition means (1).

Abstract: Method for inspecting a zone of the surface of a tire, said surface comprising markings in relief, wherein the three-dimensional profile of the surface to be inspected is determined, characteristic points on the surface to be inspected are located and these points are matched with the corresponding points originating from the three-dimensional data of a reference surface, so as to create a set of pairs of matched points, in an iterative manner, a first affine transformation function is sought, applied to the characteristic points of the reference surface, so that the value representing the sum of the distances between each of the characteristic points of the reference surface, which points are transformed with the aid of said first transformation function, and the points of the surface to be inspected that are matched with them, is minimal, and said first transformation function is applied to all of the points of the reference surface in order to obtain a transformed reference surface.

Abstract: A for inspecting the internal surface located between a first and a second bead of a tire (P), comprising means for acquiring the image of the internal surface (1) of the tire, and centering means that are able to lock the first bead around its entire circumference on a reference plate, and to set the tire into relative rotation about its axis XX? with respect to said image acquisition means. This device comprises means for opening and for holding the second bead, said means comprising two internal holding rollers (32, 32) which have a generally radial axis, and at least one external holding roller (33) which has a generally radial axis, is disposed substantially in the middle of the angular sector formed by the two internal holding rollers (31, 32) and is able to come into abutment against the external part of said second bead, the internal (31, 32) and external (33) holding rollers being mounted so as to rotate as one about the axis XX? of said image acquisition means (1).

Abstract: Method for inspecting a zone of the surface of a tire, said surface comprising markings in relief, wherein the three-dimensional profile of the surface to be inspected is determined, characteristic points on the surface to be inspected are located and these points are matched with the corresponding points originating from the three-dimensional data of a reference surface, so as to create a set of pairs of matched points, in an iterative manner, a first affine transformation function is sought, applied to the characteristic points of the reference surface, so that the value representing the sum of the distances between each of the characteristic points of the reference surface, which points are transformed with the aid of said first transformation function, and the points of the surface to be inspected that are matched with them, is minimal, and said first transformation function is applied to all of the points of the reference surface in order to obtain a transformed reference surface.