Abstract: A tire marking apparatus and tire marking method capable of placing multiple, differently colored marks on a tire sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame assembly that movably mounts a stamping bar assembly carrying a plurality of stamping bar elements, each stamping element selectively movable into a marking position and a plurality of tape cassettes, each of which may carry tape of a different color. Each tape cassette is selectively movable into a tire marking position. An actuator advances a portion of an aligned tape cassette towards a tire marking region on the sidewall and moves an aligned stamping element into printing contact with the tire sidewall. This movement transfers material from the tape to the tire sidewall in a pattern that corresponds to indicia defined by the stamping element. The frame assembly includes an intermediate frame that is shiftable between at least two positions.

Abstract: A tire marking apparatus and tire marking method capable of placing multiple, differently colored marks on a tire sidewall. The apparatus includes a frame assembly that movably mounts a stamping bar assembly carrying a plurality of stamping bar elements, each stamping element selectively movable into a marking position and a plurality of tape cassettes, each of which may carry tape of a different color. Each tape cassette is selectively movable into a tire marking position. An actuator advances a portion of an aligned tape cassette towards a tire marking region on the sidewall and moves an aligned stamping element into printing contact with the tire sidewall. This movement transfers material from the tape to the tire sidewall in a pattern that corresponds to indicia defined by the stamping element. The frame assembly includes an intermediate frame that is shiftable between at least two positions.

Abstract: A method for analyzing and controlling the formation of a green tire component by component on a target region of a curved build surface includes: measuring in three dimensions each component on the target region by rotating the build surface past at least one optical scanner. The optical scanner directs a sheet or a plurality of sheets of light against a target region of the rotating build surface; and measures component by component build-up on the target region surface for component dimensional, positional, and mass parameters. Component by component measurements are made in three-dimensions by rotation of the target regions through the optical sheets of light and feedback from component measurements may be used to correct for tire imbalance and uniformity anomalies on a real-time basis.

Abstract: A ply wire sensor system is provided for a tire carcass ply in a green tire carcass having a toroidal shape, the tire carcass ply having a plurality of spaced apart ply wires extending across the toroidal shape. The sensor system includes a wire sensor mounted in close proximity with the tire carcass ply, the wire sensor detecting the presence of a proximal ply wire; and means for establishing relative movement between the wire sensor and the tire carcass whereby the plurality of spaced apart ply wires are sequentially placed into proximity with the wire sensor. The wire sensor generates sequential data indicative of at least one ply wire parameter of the plurality of spaced apart ply wires.

Abstract: A method for detecting ply wire anomalies in a tire carcass ply having a plurality of spaced apart ply wires extending across a tire carcass, the method comprising the steps: constructing a green tire carcass in a diametrically expanded toroidal configuration, the carcass comprising a pair of beads, the carcass ply extending from bead to bead, at least one crown layer covering the carcass ply and having a peripheral skirt region; and sidewalls covering the carcass ply and extending from the beads to the crown layer and having edge portions intersecting the crown layer; mounting a wire sensor apparatus proximal to the tire carcass ply, the wire sensor apparatus including a wire sensor for detecting the presence of a proximal ply wire; establishing relative movement between the wire sensor and the tire carcass whereby the plurality of spaced apart ply wires are sequentially placed into proximal relationship with the wire sensor; and generating sequential data from the wire sensor indicative of at least one ply