Abstract: A paint applying roller is positioned over the sidewall of a tire rotating about a vertical axis and the roller is vertically movable into contact with the sidewall to apply and spread protective paint over white sidewall surfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting tire uniformity, preferably a harmonic component of force variation (radial, lateral, or tangential) for a production tire operating at a high speed, and also method and apparatus for manufacturing tires and controlling the manufacturing of tires in response to quality control based on a comparison of a production tire's predicted uniformity versus predetermined criteria. A production tire's predicted tire uniformity is determined by a calculation using a prediction curve with parameters which are determined for the production tire by collecting measurement data for the production tire using a factory floor tire uniformity machine operated at a plurality of intermediate test speeds, and then fitting the prediction curve to the measurement data, preferably using a least squares curve fitting process. Higher speed measurements are optionally given greater weight in the curve fitting process as compared to lower speed measurements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting tire uniformity, preferably a harmonic component of force variation (radial, lateral, or tangential) for a production tire operating at a high speed, and also method and apparatus for manufacturing tires and controlling the manufacturing of tires in response to quality control based on a comparison of a production tire's predicted uniformity versus predetermined criteria. A production tire's predicted tire uniformity is determined by a calculation using a prediction curve with parameters which are determined for the production tire by collecting measurement data for the production tire using a factory floor tire uniformity machine operated at a plurality of intermediate test speeds, and then fitting the prediction curve to the measurement data, preferably using a least squares curve fitting process. Higher speed measurements are optionally given greater weight in the curve fitting process as compared to lower speed measurements.

Abstract: A method for correcting the balance of a pneumatic tire mounted in a tire uniformity machine modified for balance screening such tires. After balance screening of the tires, tires which are unacceptably imbalanced are maintained at the second rotational speed of the balance screening routine. A grinding wheel is brought to the position of maximum radial and/or lateral deflection causing tire material to be removed from deflected portions of the tire. The tire is once again balance checked and if the balance is still unacceptable, the grinder is advanced an incremental unit of distance toward the center of the tire, more tire material is removed, and the balance is again checked. The steps of advancing the grinder, removing material, and checking the tire imbalance are performed until the tire is found to have acceptable static and couple imbalance.

Abstract: A method for correcting the radial run-out and radial force variation of a pneumatic tire (12) with a tire uniformity machine (10). The tire is rotated at a high speed and radial run-out is measured. A center grinder assembly (24) is incrementally advanced into contact with sections of the tire having intrinsic radial run-out until all values of radial run-out about the tread circumference are within an acceptable value of radial run-out. In addition to the advancement of the center grinder assembly (24), top and bottom tread shoulder grinders (40A, 40B) may be advanced into contact with sections of the tire having phase adjusted lateral run-out. The extent of the advancement of the shoulder grinders into contact with the tread shoulders of the tire is dictated by a control signal generated by a computer program from the initial measurements of radial run-out.