Abstract: An apparatus and method for grooving tires which is particularly useful for renewing previously used over-the-road tires and which removes a portion of a layer of rubber applied to a tread face of a carcass so as to form on the tread face a predetermined grooved tread design. Relative motion between a heated knife and a tire carcass is controlled and coordinated in such a manner as to form a particular selected tread pattern, while one of a plurality of knives of varying configurations is selected to form particular portions of the grooved design. As described more fully hereinafter, a programmable memory preferably in the form of a digital, electronic central processor unit controls the operation of components of the apparatus and is programmed to follow particular functional sequences.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for grooving tires which is particularly useful for renewing previously used off-the-road tires and which removes a portion of a layer of rubber applied to a tread face of a carcass so as to form on the tread face a pattern of lugs. Relative motion between a heated knife and a tire carcass is controlled and coordinated in such a manner as to form a particular selected tread pattern, while controlling the number and spacing of the lugs and the curvature, angularity, and depth of the incisions which form the lugs. As described more fully hereinafter, a digital, electronic central processor unit controls the operation of components of the apparatus and may be programed to follow particular functional sequences.