Abstract: An applicator assembly for applying a cord to a tire-building surface that rotates during tire construction. The applicator assembly includes an applicator member to apply the cord. A first rotary device rotates the applicator member about a first axis that is transverse to the surface. A first translation device moves the applicator member in a first linear path relative to the surface. The applicator member may include a roller and/or a resilient member. A second rotary device may rotate the applicator member and the first rotary device around a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. A second translation device may move the applicator member, the first rotary device, the second rotary device, and the first translation device. A system for applying the cord to a core member may further include a spindle to rotate the core member about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A ply application station for applying a tire carcass cord ply to an annular surface includes a plurality of applicator heads disposed at respective spaced apart circumferential locations about the annular surface, each applicator head proximally positioned to a respective assigned region of the annular surface. The system coordinates the application of at least one ply cord by each head to the annular surface region assigned respectively to each head. The plurality of applicator heads operate independently within their respective assigned regions while the core annular surface is rotatably indexed in order to achieve a desired cord ply pattern.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an annular toroidially-shaped cord reinforced ply for a tire is described. The method involves applying an elastomeric layer on a toroidal surface and placing and stitching one or more cords in continuous lengths onto the elastomeric layer in predetermined cord paths. The method further includes dispensing the one or more cords from spools and guiding the cord in a predetermined path as the cord is being dispensed. Preferably, each cord is held against the elastomeric layer after the cord is placed and stitched and then indexing the cord path to a next circumferential location forming a loop end by reversing the direction of the cord and releasing the held cord after the loop end is formed and the cord path direction is reversed. This method allows the step of forming loop ends to occur at more than one diameter on the toroidal surface.

Abstract: A method for applying a breaker or other reinforcement layer to a carcass strip by strip includes the steps of calculating an end gap based upon a nominal strip width, the size of the carcass, and the end count desired; calculating a distributed gap required to distribute the calculated end gap substantially equally between each strip; and applying the breaker strip by strip with each strip being separated from an adjacent strip by the distributed gap spacing.

Abstract: An automated tire manufacturing curing module 10 according to the present invention is illustrated. This system or module 10 provides for the complete vulcanization of pneumatic tires at one tire curing module 10 using only one mold 50 for a particular tire size or style. This curing module 10 is preferably an integral part of a tire building module which forms the tire carcass subassembly 4 and the tire belt tread subassembly 3. These two subassemblies 3, 4 after being formed hot and assembled on a detachable elevated temperature building drum core 22 are shown inserted while on the building drum core 22 into a tire curing mold 50 immediately after their assembly is completed. When at the tire curing station, the mold 50 will then be closed and heated at a mold curing module 10 which permits the tires 200 to be cured or otherwise vulcanized and removed from the mold 50 and the building drum core 22. The curing module preferably has a curing dome 80 having one or more induction heating coils 81, 82, 83.

Abstract: A module for manufacturing a cured tire from a plurality of tire components is disclosed. The module has a plurality of component appliers located at spaced locations along a predetermined path, and a mobile tire building trolley for movement along the predetermined path and two detachable tire building drums for mounting on the movable trolley. A tire curing station has one tire mold for curing the assembled tire components while mounted on one of the detachable tire building drums. The tire is cured as the other detachable tire building drum on the mobile tire building trolley is having tire components applied. One or more of the plurality of component appliers includes a means for forming the tire component at the location of the applier. The applied components include a liner, a pair of bead cores, a ply, a pair of sidewalls, a pair of chafers, and one or more belt layers and a tread.