Abstract: A robotized arm drives in rotation a drum carrying a tire being processed and conveniently moves it in front of a delivery nozzle supplying a continuous elongated element of elastomer material in order to form a tire component. The delivery nozzle is connected through at least one selecting valve with two or more extruders, each designed to supply a respective blend. The selecting valve connects the delivery nozzle with the outlet of one of the extruders, breaking communication between the nozzle and the other extruders. The outlets of the non-active extruders can be connected with at least one outlet duct. It is thus possible to replace the type of blend used for manufacturing the tire component without the article of manufacture having to be moved away from the delivery nozzle.

Abstract: A method for building a tyre for a vehicle wheel includes positioning a casing sleeve on a shaping drum and securing the sleeve on the drum. During at least one of positioning and securing the sleeve, the sleeve is kept in an essentially centered position on the drum by radial forces directed against a radially inner surface of the sleeve. A shaping drum for making a tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a rotation shaft and two coaxial half-drums integral with each other with respect to rotation. At least one of the half-drums is axially movable in both directions with respect to the other half-drum. Each half-drum includes a support device, a gripping device, and a centering device. A first equatorial plane defined the centering devices is axially movable with respect to a second equatorial plane defined by the gripping devices. A plant for building a tyre is also disclosed.

Abstract: A robotized arm drives in rotation a drum carrying a tyre being processed and conveniently moves it in front of a delivery nozzle supplying a continuous elongated element of elastomer material in order to form a tyre component. The delivery nozzle is connected through at least one selecting valve with two or more extruders, each designed to supply a respective blend. The selecting valve connects the delivery nozzle with the outlet of one of the extruders, breaking communication between the nozzle and the other extruders. The outlets of the non-active extruders can be connected with at least one outlet duct. It is thus possible to replace the type of blend used for manufacturing the tyre component without the article of manufacture having to be moved away from the delivery nozzle.

Abstract: A method for building a tyre for a vehicle wheel includes positioning a casing sleeve on a shaping drum and securing the sleeve on the drum. During at least one of positioning and securing the sleeve, the sleeve is kept in an essentially centered position on the drum by radial forces directed against a radially inner surface of the sleeve. A shaping drum for making a tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a rotation shaft and two coaxial half-drums integral with each other with respect to rotation. At least one of the half-drums is axially movable in both directions with respect to the other half-drum. Each half-drum includes a support device, a gripping device, and a centering device. A first equatorial plane defined the centering devices is axially movable with respect to a second equatorial plane defined by the gripping devices. A plant for building a tyre is also disclosed.