Abstract: Disclosed is a wind-up system and a method for winding-up a strip. The wind-up system includes a first work station and a first supply member for supplying the strip to said first work station. The first work station includes a first collection area for holding a first collection reel to collect and wind-up the strip; a first liner area for holding a first liner reel to unwind a liner, and a first guide area extending from the first liner area into the first collection area, wherein the unwound liner is unwound from the first liner reel through the first guide area onto the first collection reel. The wind-up system further includes a pick-and-place member for picking-up a leading end from the first supply member and for placing the picked-up leading end of the strip onto the liner within the first guide area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder system and a method for extruding cord reinforced extrudate, wherein the extruder system comprises an extruder head with a die for receiving extrusion material and a cord guide for guiding cords in a common cord plane in a cord direction into the die, wherein the extruder system comprises a first extruder and a second extruder, wherein the extruder head comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, wherein the extruder system further comprises a first pump and a second pump for receiving the extrusion material from the first extruder and the second extruder and for directing said extrusion material into the first flow channel and the second flow channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is joining device for joining a trailing end of a first strip to a leading end of a second strip to form a tire component. The joining device includes a support member with a support surface and a retaining member with a retaining surface for retaining the second strip. The joining device is arranged for positioning the leading end of the second strip in a joining orientation in which said leading end is closer to the support plane than the rest. The joining device also includes a control unit for controlling a relative movement between the support member and the retaining member with a first component in a placement direction to place the leading end of the second strip and a second component in a joining direction to bring the leading end of the second strip into contact with the trailing end of the first strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder system and a method for extruding cord reinforced extrudate, wherein the extruder system comprises an extruder head with a die for receiving extrusion material and a cord guide for guiding cords in a common cord plane in a cord direction into the die, wherein the extruder system comprises a first extruder and a second extruder, wherein the extruder head comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, wherein the extruder system further comprises a first pump and a second pump for receiving the extrusion material from the first extruder and the second extruder and for directing said extrusion material into the first flow channel and the second flow channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cutting device and a method for cutting-off a length of a continuous strip to form a tire component, wherein the cutting device includes a cutting member for cutting the continuous strip at a cutting position and a feeding member that is movable in a feeding direction for feeding the length of the continuous strip in the feeding direction past said cutting position, wherein the feeding member is retractable in a retraction direction. The cutting device further includes a manipulator for retaining the length as the feeding member is retracted in the retraction direction, wherein the cutting position is located on the manipulator and wherein the cutting member and the manipulator are movable together in the feeding direction to cut-off of the length of the continuous strip at the cutting position on the manipulator while moving the length of the continuous strip in the feeding direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wind-up system and a method for winding-up a strip. The wind-up system includes a first work station and a first supply member for supplying the strip to said first work station. The first work station includes a first collection area for holding a first collection reel to collect and wind-up the strip; a first liner area for holding a first liner reel to unwind a liner, and a first guide area extending from the first liner area into the first collection area, wherein the unwound liner is unwound from the first liner reel through the first guide area onto the first collection reel. The wind-up system further includes a pick-and-place member for picking-up a leading end from the first supply member and for placing the picked-up leading end of the strip onto the liner within the first guide area.

Abstract: A cutting station for a tire building machine includes a cutting device and a feeding device for feeding a strip of rubber material into the cutting device. The cutting device includes a cutting table for supporting the strip of rubber material in a support plane (P) and a cutting element for cutting the strip of rubber material along a cutting line (C) that extends parallel to the support plane (P), wherein the support plane (P) extends at a support angle (B) with respect to a first vertical plane in a range of five to thirty degrees and wherein the feeding device (5) is arranged for feeding the strip of rubber material onto the cutting table in a downward feeding direction parallel to the support plane. Also provided is a tire building machine incorporating the cutting station and a cutting method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cutting device and a method for cutting-off a length of a continuous strip to form a tire component, wherein the cutting device includes a cutting member for cutting the continuous strip at a cutting position and a feeding member that is movable in a feeding direction for feeding the length of the continuous strip in the feeding direction past said cutting position, wherein the feeding member is retractable in a retraction direction. The cutting device further includes a manipulator for retaining the length as the feeding member is retracted in the retraction direction, wherein the cutting position is located on the manipulator and wherein the cutting member and the manipulator are movable together in the feeding direction to cut-off of the length of the continuous strip at the cutting position on the manipulator while moving the length of the continuous strip in the feeding direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for dispensing solid substances, wherein the apparatus comprises a feeder section with a plurality of feeder units, a collection section with a plurality of hoppers and a dispensing section, wherein the plurality of hoppers are rotatable with respect to the feeder units and a first packing position for dispensing the solid substances to the dispensing section, wherein the apparatus comprises a cleaning device for removing pollutants from the hoppers, wherein the cleaning device comprises a hub and a plurality of ducts forming air connections between the plurality of hoppers and the hub, wherein the cleaning device comprises a first blocking member that is arranged for blocking the air connection between one of the hoppers and the hub when said one hopper is positioned in the first packing position.

Abstract: Disclosed is joining device for joining a trailing end of a first strip to a leading end of a second strip to form a tire component. The joining device includes a support member with a support surface and a retaining member with a retaining surface for retaining the second strip. The joining device is arranged for positioning the leading end of the second strip in a joining orientation in which said leading end is closer to the support plane than the rest. The joining device also includes a control unit for controlling a relative movement between the support member and the retaining member with a first component in a placement direction to place the leading end of the second strip and a second component in a joining direction to bring the leading end of the second strip into contact with the trailing end of the first strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for dispensing solid substances, wherein the apparatus comprises a feeder section with a plurality of feeder units, a collection section with a plurality of hoppers and a dispensing section, wherein the plurality of hoppers are rotatable with respect to the feeder units and a first packing position for dispensing the solid substances to the dispensing section, wherein the apparatus comprises a cleaning device for removing pollutants from the hoppers, wherein the cleaning device comprises a hub and a plurality of ducts forming air connections between the plurality of hoppers and the hub, wherein the cleaning device comprises a first blocking member that is arranged for blocking the air connection between one of the hoppers and the hub when said one hopper is positioned in the first packing position.

Abstract: A cutting station for a tire building machine includes a cutting device and a feeding device for feeding a strip of rubber material into the cutting device. The cutting device includes a cutting table for supporting the strip of rubber material in a support plane (P) and a cutting element for cutting the strip of rubber material along a cutting line (C) that extends parallel to the support plane (P), wherein the support plane (P) extends at a support angle (B) with respect to a first vertical plane in a range of five to thirty degrees and wherein the feeding device (5) is arranged for feeding the strip of rubber material onto the cutting table in a downward feeding direction parallel to the support plane. Also provided is a tire building machine incorporating the cutting station and a cutting method.

Abstract: The invention relates to an extruder system and a method for extruding cord reinforced extrudate, wherein the extruder system comprises an extruder head with a die for receiving extrusion material and a cord guide for guiding cords in a common cord plane in a cord direction into the die, wherein the extruder system comprises a first extruder and a second extruder, wherein the extruder head comprises a first flow channel and a second flow channel, wherein the extruder system further comprises a first pump and a second pump for receiving the extrusion material from the first extruder and the second extruder and for directing said extrusion material into the first flow channel and the second flow channel.

Abstract: Method for transferring and placing beads for tires, providing: a bead storage unit in which a number of beads are vertically stacked placing spacers between them, a collection unit for empty spacers, a tire building machine for receiving the beads thereon, a bead retaining provided with engagement jaws that are arranged at equal angular distance in a circumferential direction on the bead retaining means, wherein the engagement jaws are driven or withdrawn in radial direction, a spacer retaining means for picking up and retaining a spacer, and arranging the bead retaining means and the spacer retaining means on a common transfer means. The spacer retaining means acts in a radial direction and is provided with at least two spacer engagement jaws that are arranged circumferentially at equal angular.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which accommodates a series of feeder units arranged for selectively discharging an amount of solid substances from one or more feeder units for packing. The device includes a holding device provided with an array of feeder positions arranged adjacently in a plane, a collection frame arranged below the holding device including a series of collection trays for capturing discharged solid substances from the feeder units and each collection tray includes an output opening, and a packing unit arranged below the collection frame for collecting the captured solid substances from the output opening of a tray and packing the substances. The collection frame and the holding device are movable with respect to each other. The collection trays have an elongated shape with a longitudinal direction which extends substantially parallel to the plane and over a length of at least two of the feeder positions.

Abstract: Method for transferring and placing beads for tires, providing: a bead storage unit in which a number of beads are vertically stacked placing spacers in between them, a collection unit for empty spacers, placed in the vicinity of the bead storage unit, a tire building machine for receiving the beads thereon, a bead retaining means for picking up and retaining a bead, wherein the bead retaining means is provided with engagement jaws that are arranged at equal angular distance in a circumferential direction on the bead retaining means, wherein the engagement jaws are driven or withdrawn in radial direction, a spacer retaining means for picking up and retaining a spacer, and arranging the bead retaining means and the spacer retaining means on a common transfer means.

Abstract: Method for transferring and placing beads for tyres, providing: a bead storage unit in which a number of beads are vertically stacked placing spacers between them, a collection unit for empty spacers, a tyre building machine for receiving the beads thereon, a bead retaining provided with engagement jaws that are arranged at equal angular distance in a circumferential direction on the bead retaining means, wherein the engagement jaws are driven or withdrawn in radial direction, a spacer retaining means for picking up and retaining a spacer, and arranging the bead retaining means and the spacer retaining means on a common transfer means. The spacer retaining means acts in a radial direction and is provided with at least two spacer engagement jaws that are arranged circumferentially at equal angular.

Abstract: Method for transferring and placing beads for tyres, providing: a bead storage unit in which a number of beads are vertically stacked placing spacers in between them, a collection unit for empty spacers, placed in the vicinity of the bead storage unit, a tyre building machine for receiving the beads thereon, a bead retaining means for picking up and retaining a bead, wherein the bead retaining means is provided with engagement jaws that are arranged at equal angular distance in a circumferential direction on the bead retaining means, wherein the engagement jaws are driven or withdrawn in radial direction, a spacer retaining means for picking up and retaining a spacer, and arranging the bead retaining means and the spacer retaining means on a common transfer means.