Vredestein unit measures tread depth on the fly

ERJ staff report (LMH)

Enschede, the Netherlands -- Apollo Vredestein has introduced an in-house laser tread-depth measuring station at its Enschede facility in the Netherlands, the tyre company said in a 18 April statement.

The new unit is intended to raise awareness of the importance of having the correct tread depth in terms of safety and sustainability.

The measuring station, developed by Procontour, is capable of performing 35 000 measurements in a minute and gives accurate figures at speeds of up to 120 km/h, Vredestein said in the statement. The system is equipped with a sensor and a compressor that ensure the grid is blown clean whenever a car approaches to allow the laser to take measurements. A matrix sign then indicates the tread depth of the tyre with the least tread.

Rob Oudshoorn, Vredestein ceo, said that the company was ready to meet forthcoming European Commission safety and sustainability legislation, which will focus on sound levels, rolling resistance and grip on wet road surfaces.

“These [aspects] are inextricably linked with one another, and the main goal is to reduce CO2 emissions,” Oudshoorn commented. “Apollo Vredestein will certainly meet these upcoming stringent requirements. At the same time, however, car owners have an equally important role to play and this is why we have been consistently and actively pointing out the need to have the right tyre pressure and tread depth.”

In the long term, Apollo Vredestein says it aims to use the system at the facilities of business partners and at large events or locations that feature a large number of cars.

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Press release from Apollo-Vredestein