Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a machine (1) for additive manufacturing by the sintering or melting of powder (2) using an energy beam (3) acting on a powder layer (23) in a working zone (4), said machine comprising a device for producing a layer of said powder, said device comprising: means (5) for storing the powder, means (6) for distributing the powder able to travel over the working zone in order to distribute the powder in a layer (23) having a final thickness (24) adapted to additive manufacturing, feeding means (7) able to transfer the powder from the storage means (5) to the distributing means (6), dosing means (8) able to control the quantity of powder transferred from the storage means (5) to the distributing means (6), said machine being characterised in that: the storage means (5) are located above the working zone (4), the feeding means (7) utilise gravity, and the feeding means (7) and the dosing means (8) are able to move with the distributing means (6).

Abstract: A process and device continuously prepare a filled rubber masterbatch. The process comprises bringing into contact, in a mixing zone, a first liquid-phase flow and a second liquid-phase flow, the first flow being an elastomer emulsion, the second flow being an aqueous suspension of filler particles, such that one of the two flows emerges inside the other flow and that the two flows are transported at low pressure before they are brought into contact.

Abstract: The method comprises the steps of a) forming a carcass composed of a cured rubber material and b) overmolding, on the carcass, at least one thermoplastic elastomer material in order to finish the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: An installation is provided for cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process performed using a powder. The installation includes an entry lock, an exit lock, a dry cleaner, a wet cleaner, and a conveyor system. The entry lock is structured to accept into the installation a plate that is to be cleaned. The exit lock is structured to allow the plate to be extracted from the installation after cleaning. The dry cleaner is structured to clean the plate using vibrations and shocks in a first confinement enclosure. The wet cleaner is structured to clean the plate using at least one liquid in a second confinement enclosure. The conveyor system is structured to transport the plate between the dry cleaner, the wet cleaner, and the exit lock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a tire (1). The process includes the steps a): forming a carcass (3) from at least one first material based on thermoplastic elastomer, b): forming, on the carcass (3), at least bead zones (10) from at least one second material based on thermoplastic elastomer and c): forming, on the assembly obtained during step b), an additional part from at least one third material based on thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A device is provided for dry cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process that involves powder. The device includes a confinement enclosure, a loader, and a dry-cleaning station. The confinement enclosure includes an entry lock through which a plate to be cleaned enters. The loader is located within the confinement enclosure and is structured to receive and transport the plate. The dry-cleaning station is located within the confinement enclosure and is structured to dry clean the plate. The dry-cleaning station includes a vibration device, which imposes vibrations on the plate, and a shock device, which causes the plate to experience shocks.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a strip of rubber having discontinuous reinforcer segments includes a conveying step in which a rubber strip is conveyed in a direction DC, and a cutting step in which reinforcers of the strip are cut. The cutting step includes localized heating of each reinforcer using a laser beam from a remote source. A cutting device useable to perform the cutting step includes a conveying device and a cutting head. The conveying device moves the strip in the conveying direction DC past the cutting head. The cutting head includes an emitter from which at least one laser beam is produced to cause localized heating of at least one reinforcer of the strip, in order to cut the at least one reinforcer into discontinuous reinforcer segments. The strip may be conveyed continuously or discontinuously, such that the strip may be moving or immobilized during the cutting step.

Abstract: The curing bladder for a tire has a shape of revolution around a central axis and comprises a flexible wall made of crosslinked rubber. The surface of the wall is covered with a coating film made of a non-stick composition. When the bladder is non-inflated, the coating film has a variable thickness over the surface.

Abstract: The curing bladder for a tire comprises a body made of a flexible material suited to being inserted in the drawn-in position inside a pneumatic tire in a curing mould and which is capable of being expanded so as to flatten the tire against the internal surface of the mould. The body is produced based on a film made of a thermoplastic polymer and has a cylindrical tube shape when the bladder is in the drawn-in position.

Abstract: The machine presents a working zone that is defined in an upper part of a build sleeve which is fixedly mounted in a chassis. Within the working zone, the object is supported by a build plate which slides inside the build sleeve when driven in vertical translation by the head of an actuating cylinder which is placed along a central axis of the sleeve. The build plate is positioned inside a transport container which is arranged removably between the sleeve and the actuating cylinder. The machine also includes a means for moving the transport container vertically into contact with the build sleeve. The container is open at its top and at its bottom so that, when the actuating cylinder is actuated, the head thereof can transfer the plate between the transport container and the build sleeve which forms a build envelope around the plate.

Abstract: The machine is of the type which uses an energy beam which acts on a powder layer in a working zone. The machine has a device for layering said powder and which includes a means for storing powder, a means for distributing powder, a feeding means that transfers powder from the storage means to the distributing means, and a metering means that controls the quantity of powder transferred from storage means to distributing means. The storage means is positioned higher than the working zone, the feeding means utilizes gravity, and in use, the feeding means and the metering means move with the distributing means. The machine has two separate working zones and two separate working trays that move independently of one another. Each of the working trays is associated with only one working zone, and the layering device is common to both working zones.

Abstract: Method for fabricating a three-dimensional object by successive consolidation, layer by layer, of selected regions of a layer of powder, consolidated regions corresponding to successive sections of the three-dimensional object, comprising in order: a—deposit layer of powder onto a support; b—fuse the layer of powder by a first laser energy source so as to obtain a fused layer corresponding to the section of the object and exhibiting a first state of its mechanical properties, c—heat at least a part of the fused layer by a second electron beam energy source to a temperature which follows a controlled variation over time so as to modify the first state of the fused layer and to obtain a consolidated layer with improved mechanical properties, d—repeat the preceding steps until several superposed consolidated layers are formed with improved properties forming the object.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing facility operating in an automated and contained manner. The facility includes a containment chamber inside which a plurality of additive manufacturing machines is installed, each machine comprising a manufacturing chamber, inside the containment chamber, a supply device and a supply circuit for supplying the various machines of the facility with an additive manufacturing powder, a conveying device for conveying additive manufacturing container/tray assemblies comprising at least one conveying chamber circulating between the various machines, and (4) a cleaning device comprising at least one cleaning chamber for cleaning, in an automated and contained manner, the additive manufacturing trays in the cleaning chamber.

Abstract: A process and device continuously prepare a filled rubber masterbatch. The process comprises bringing into contact, in a mixing zone, a first liquid-phase flow and a second liquid-phase flow, the first flow being an elastomer emulsion, the second flow being an aqueous suspension of filler particles, such that one of the two flows emerges inside the other flow and that the two flows are transported at low pressure before they are brought into contact.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing rubber crumb comprises the following steps: (a) suspending rubber granules having a given size in an autoclave (1) containing a supercritical fluid; (b) agitating the mixture for a predetermined time at constant pressure and constant temperature; (c) carrying out an isenthalpic expansion of the mixture from step (b) by spraying it through a nozzle (20).

Abstract: A device is provided for dry cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process that involves powder. The device includes a confinement enclosure, a loader, and a dry-cleaning station. The confinement enclosure includes an entry lock through which a plate to be cleaned enters. The loader is located within the confinement enclosure and is structured to receive and transport the plate. The dry-cleaning station is located within the confinement enclosure and is structured to dry clean the plate. The dry-cleaning station includes a vibration device, which imposes vibrations on the plate, and a shock device, which causes the plate to experience shocks.

Abstract: The invention relates in particular to a machine (1) for additive manufacturing by the sintering or melting of powder (2) using an energy beam (3) acting on a powder layer (23) in a working zone (4), said machine comprising a device for producing a layer of said powder, said device comprising: means (5) for storing the powder, means (6) for distributing the powder able to travel over the working zone in order to distribute the powder in a layer (23) having a final thickness (24) adapted to additive manufacturing, feeding means (7) able to transfer the powder from the storage means (5) to the distributing means (6), dosing means (8) able to control the quantity of powder transferred from the storage means (5) to the distributing means (6), said machine being characterised in that: the storage means (5) are located above the working zone (4), the feeding means (7) utilise gravity, and the feeding means (7) and the dosing means (8) are able to move with the distributing means (6).

Abstract: An installation is provided for cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process performed using a powder. The installation includes an entry lock, an exit lock, a dry cleaner, a wet cleaner, and a conveyor system. The entry lock is structured to accept into the installation a plate that is to be cleaned. The exit lock is structured to allow the plate to be extracted from the installation after cleaning. The dry cleaner is structured to clean the plate using vibrations and shocks in a first confinement enclosure. The wet cleaner is structured to clean the plate using at least one liquid in a second confinement enclosure. The conveyor system is structured to transport the plate between the dry cleaner, the wet cleaner, and the exit lock.

Abstract: A method is provided for dry cleaning a plate used in an additive manufacturing process involving a powder. According to the method, unconsolidated powder is separated from a plate and collected by imposing vibrations on the plate and causing the plate to experience shocks.

Abstract: The reinforcing structure for a tire is in the form of a stratified assembly formed of two layers of reinforcing strips of completely connected cross section, and flattened in shape. According to the method, the strips of each layer are laid side by side in a main direction of laying. The strips of the first layer are spaced apart by a distance that is less than the width of the strips of the second layer and in such a way that the edges of the strips of the first layer overlap the edges of the strips of the second layer. The two layers of strips are separated by a layer of uncoupling rubber.