Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and for cutting an intermediate article of manufacture, the intermediate article of manufacture being a cord reinforced elastomeric laminate. The laminate, when cut to length, becoming a carcass for a pneumatic tire. The laminate is cut by a cutting element at angles .theta. greater than 60.degree. relative to a normal plane (NP) perpendicular to a cord reinforced ply of the laminate and parallel to the cords to thereby create large substantially flat planar splice surfaces without significant deformation or precuring of the unvulcanized elastomeric materials. To facilitate this cut, the relative position of the cutting element and the ply is changed to an angle .beta., .beta. being less than .theta.. The ply is cut a short distance, at the angle .beta., to position the cutting element between two parallel cords. Then the cutting element is reoriented to the angle .theta. to complete the cut.

Abstract: A thin gauge, fine diameter steel cord reinforced tire ply fabric 2 is lap spliced. The steel cord 1 has one or more filaments 9, and each filament has a percent elongation of over 2.5% and tensile strength of at least (-2000D+4400 MPa).times.95%, where D is the diameter of the filament in millimeters. For passenger and lightly loaded trucks the fabric 2 is manufactured using a preferred cord 1 which is a 1+5.times.0.18 mm cord spaced 14 ends per inch, and for heavier loaded vehicles such as light trucks load rated E or greater the number of cords 1 is increased to 28 ends per inch. The fabric 2 has a gauge thickness g in the range of the cord diameter C+0.22 mm to C+1.25 mm.