Abstract: A system for preparing an interior surface of a tire for an adhesive includes a turntable configured to remove a layer of material from the tire, and a manipulator operable to move and rotate the tire. The turntable includes a platform rotatable about a first axis. An ablation module is disposed within the platform and includes one or more lasers each configured to emit a laser beam for removing the layer of material from the tire. A plurality of guide rollers extend from the platform and are operable between a retracted position and an extended position to selectively secure the tire to the platform. An exhaust system is disposed adjacent to the one or more lasers.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire pre-conditioning system includes a conveyor system, a belt assembly, a friction device and a drive system. The conveyor system includes a tire engaging surface, a first side, and a second side. The belt assembly is adjacent to the first side of the tire engaging surface. The friction device is adjacent to the second side of the tire engaging surface. The drive system is configured to move a tire along the tire engaging surface in a path between the belt assembly and the friction device.

Abstract: A method for installing a sensor onto an inner surface of a tire is generally disclosed. The method includes robotically deglazing at least a portion of the inner surface of the tire, defining a preconditioned surface. The sensor is robotically selected and a target surface of the sensor is cleaned. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the target surface of the sensor. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied to a portion of the preconditioned surface. The sensor is robotically positioned, wherein the target surface of the sensor abuts the preconditioned surface. A wet-out operation is performed, wherein a predetermined pressure is applied to the sensor for a predetermined period of time to affix the sensor to the preconditioned surface.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for installing a sensor onto an inner surface of a tire is generally disclosed. The method includes robotically deglazing at least a portion of the inner surface of the tire, defining a preconditioned surface. The sensor is robotically selected and a target surface of the sensor is cleaned. An adhesive is applied to at least a portion of the target surface of the sensor. In some embodiments, the adhesive is applied to a portion of the preconditioned surface. The sensor is robotically positioned, wherein the target surface of the sensor abuts the preconditioned surface. A wet-out operation is performed, wherein a predetermined pressure is applied to the sensor for a predetermined period of time to affix the sensor to the preconditioned surface.

Abstract: A system for preparing an interior surface of a tire for an adhesive includes a turntable configured to remove a layer of material from the tire, and a manipulator operable to move and rotate the tire. The turntable includes a platform rotatable about a first axis. An ablation module is disposed within the platform and includes one or more lasers each configured to emit a laser beam for removing the layer of material from the tire. A plurality of guide rollers extend from the platform and are operable between a retracted position and an extended position to selectively secure the tire to the platform. An exhaust system is disposed adjacent to the one or more lasers.

Abstract: An apparatus for seating a bead of a tire adjacent a bead seat of a wheel is disclosed.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire pre-conditioning system includes a conveyor system, a belt assembly, a friction device and a drive system. The conveyor system includes a tire engaging surface, a first side, and a second side. The belt assembly is adjacent to the first side of the tire engaging surface. The friction device is adjacent to the second side of the tire engaging surface. The drive system is configured to move a tire along the tire engaging surface in a path between the belt assembly and the friction device.

Abstract: A weight applicator system includes a shaft, an applicator assembly, and a weight feed assembly. The shaft defines a length between a proximal end and a distal end configured to support a wheel-tire assembly for common rotation about a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The applicator assembly is supported by the shaft and includes a base portion disposed upon the shaft and operable to translate axially along the length of the shaft, a radial portion connected to the base portion and operable to radially move relative to the base portion between a retracted position and an extended position; and a pressure roller rotatably supported by the radial portion about an axis of rotation. The weight feed assembly is operable to feed a prescribed length of weighted material to the pressure roller.

Abstract: A system includes a processing station and a lubricant supply system in fluid communication with the processing station. The processing station is operable to process at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel to form a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes at least one of a tire lubricating sub-station or a wheel lubricating sub-station. The lubricant supply system includes a storage container configured to store a lubricant and a whipping device received by the lubricant container and operable to whip or blend the lubricant from a semi-solid state to a whipped state. The lubricant supply system also includes a pump operable to pump the lubricant in the whipped state out of the storage container.

Abstract: An inflation work station for inflating a tire-wheel assembly including a tire mounted to a wheel is disclosed. The inflation work station includes at least one inflation probe including a female portion and a male portion. The male portion is arrangeable with respect to the female portion in one of a non-mated orientation such that the at least one inflation probe is arranged in an offline orientation and a mated orientation such that the at least one inflation probe is arranged in an online orientation. The inflation work station further includes a working device including a controller, at least one movement actuator connected to the controller and the at least one inflation probe. The at least one movement actuator imparts movement to the male portion to result in the online/offline orientation of the at least one inflation probe. The inflation work station includes at least one valve connected to the controller and the at least one inflation probe.

Abstract: A balancing device, a uniformity device and an apparatus including the balancing device and the uniformity device are disclosed. Each of the balancing device and the uniformity device includes at least one multi-axis transducer. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for seating a bead of the a adjacent a bead seat of a wheel is disclosed. The apparatus is disposable adjacent one or more of a tread surface and an outer sidewall surface of the tire.

Abstract: A single-cell workstation for processing a tire-wheel assembly including a tire and a wheel is disclosed. The single-cell workstation includes a mounting and indexing sub-station including a first plurality of tire engaging portions including one or more first tire-engaging surfaces, and a second plurality of tire engaging portions including one or more second tire-engaging surfaces.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.

Abstract: A wheel inflation apparatus including a wheel engagement unit that suspends a tire/wheel assembly and at least one inflation unit coupled to the robotic arm, each inflation unit being configured to inflate the tire/wheel assembly. A load measuring unit is configured to sense an amount of load being applied to the wheel/tire assembly. A controller is coupled to the load measuring unit for receiving a load signal and determining an internal air pressure of the tire/wheel assembly based on the load signal. The controller controls the at least one inflation unit based on the determined internal air pressure and a target (desired) air pressure value.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a processing station for processing at least one of a tire and a wheel prior to joining the tire and the wheel for forming a tire-wheel assembly. The processing station includes one of a tire lubricating sub-station and a wheel lubricating sub-station. A lubrication conditioning system is fluidly-coupled to the processing station. The lubrication conditioning system includes: a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature modifier arranged at least proximate to the lubricant reservoir, a lubricant temperature sensor arranged within a cavity formed by the lubricant reservoir and a controller communicatively-coupled to both of the lubricant temperature modifier and the lubricant temperature sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for seating a bead of a tire adjacent a bead seat of a wheel is disclosed.