Abstract: The present invention differs fundamentally from prior art because it provides for machining a substantial number of relatively thin annular tooling plates (10), fitting them together side-by-side in two opposed mold sides, and engraving the tread pattern into the interior face of the assembled plates in two or more complementary mold parts to form a unique tire mold (12). In one form of the disclosed construction two halves are built up and internally engraved to form a two-piece clamshell mold. This building up of annular plates (10) applies also to the construction of segmented molds, wherein there are multiple complementary mold sections which are joined to provide a complete circumferential mold. Thus, the invention applies to both two-piece clamshell molds and segmented molds. The invention encompasses an all engraved mold and all venting (22) in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: The present invention differs fundamentally from prior art because it provides for machining a substantial number of relatively thin annular tooling plates (10), fitting them together side-by-side in two opposed mold sides, and engraving the tread pattern into the interior face of the assembled plates in two or more complementary mold parts to form a unique tire mold (12). In one form of the disclosed construction two halves are built up and internally engraved to form a two-piece clamshell mold. This building up of annular plates (10) applies also to the construction of segmented molds, wherein there are multiple complementary mold sections which are joined to provide a complete circumferential mold. Thus, the invention applies to both two-piece clamshell molds and segmented molds. The invention encompasses an all engraved mold and all venting (22) in the circumferential direction.