Wyko launches high range building drum

ERJ staff report (DS)

Cologne, Germany -- Wyko Tire Technology has introduced a new series of manufacturing tooling which will almost eliminate the need to change single stage and second stage tyre building equipment, irrespective of the tyre size width or diameter. Starting with the traditional Belt & Tread Drum, Wyko has re-designed this tooling so that it can accommodate the majority of existing tyre sizes without removing the drum from the tyre building machine.

The new system covers two new tools, which combined allow tyre makers to make tyres from 9-inch rims up to 20-inch rims on a single drum

The first tool is a high range belt/tread drum. This drum features a radial actuating internal mechanism and new, Patent Pending, deck configuration which allows a diameter expansion range of in excess of 350mm, and is compatible with most existing tyre building machines.

Wyko said, "The drum has a building range large enough to accommodate belt/read packages for 100 percent of all tyre sizes in either of the high volume categories i.e. PCR, LTR and/or TBR. " The company did not give details of the diameter range.

The range is so wide that Wyko has developed a double-deck belt/tread drum, whereby at th elarger diameters, a upper (second) deck to be quickly fitted to the main deck of the Belt/Tread drum thus extending the total diameter range to 350mm. This drum features a 60 second changeover time from main to upper deck, THK rails for a smooth precision expansion, and double acting cylinders which control the amount of collapse and thereby reduces cycle time and wear on all moving parts. This design is well suited to high-speed operation.

Commenting on these new developments, Ian Smith, CEO of WYKO Tire Technology said “During 2010, under the new ownership of Wyko, we have been able to devote substantial resources to the development of new tooling aimed at helping our customers with the challenge of size complexity. Over the years, our quality and reliability have been firmly established and recognized and what we have to do now is work towards the ultimate goal of providing our customers with tooling solutions that allows them to change sizes frequently and rapidly on one piece of tooling with a minimum or where possible no adjustment“

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Press release from Wyko