Goodyear adds equipment at UK retread plant

ERJ staff report (DS)

Wolverhampton, UK -- Goodyear Dunlop Tyres has taken delivery of two new SDS Shearography machines, representing a six figure investment.

The Wolverhampton factory which employs over 400 people, is home to the company's Next Tread operations. Goodyear said the investment will add to the high quality levels of the company's Next Tread products.

The new machinery is used to detect any separation in the used tyre casing when it arrives at the factory. This is done through pressure and vacuum tests followed by laser detection providing an x-ray picture of the tyre, to highlight any potential failure issues. At this point any tyres with separation within the casing can be discarded at an early stage of production. Data collected during tyre testing can then be archived to provide a live review of the tyres history, improving the efficiency, quality and safety of the retread process and products.