Abstract: An apparatus which uses a sensing device for measuring gauges of elastomeric or rigid articles, or runout of elastomeric articles, has a pivoting arm which holds a means for creating a signal, and is movable relative to the object being measured. The means for creating a signal provides a signal to the sensing device, and the magnitude of the signal depends on the position of the pivoting arm relative to the object being measured. Movement of the pivoting arm, caused by changes in the dimensions of the object, can be recorded and analyzed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for assembling a tire carcass comprising a precarcass band and a pair of inextensible bead rings. The band is built and consolidated on a form having a rigid cylindrical surface. The band includes at least one cord or wire-reinforced ply and one or more tire liners of a rubbery gum, and may include additional tire components, in particular the components which will form the sidewalls of the tire. The band is removed from its building form and then moved axially freely over a shaping apparatus. An axially narrow central part of the band is expanded sufficiently to resist axial displacement of the band, which is then spread and smoothed outward from its central part by expanding and then moving outwardly a pair of expandable spreading elements.