DRAFT Innovation on demand

Machinery manufacturers discuss their latest advances in technology and the changing demands of the tire industry. Patrick Raleigh reports

As might be expected in the emerging era of Industry 4.0, tire & rubber equipment manufacturers are reporting increasing demand for enhanced automation, data-acquisition and connectivity features on their machines.

But there are is also a continuing push for engineering-led innovations that increase the accuracy, efficiency, functionality and reliability of calenders, mixers, presses and tire-building machines.

The latter trend is evident in HF Tire Technology’s new ‘Curemaster’ presses for truck tires, which respond to tire-maker demands for enhanced flexibility, precision and cost-savings.

“We have taken the traditional mechanical design for a curing press and shifted it to a hydraulic concept,” said Kevin Rolfe, vice president sales, HF TireTech Group.

The Curemaster is configured to provide larger diameter capabilities within the space required by a traditional press design, Rolfe said in an interview with ERJ.

In terms of flexibility, conventional presses typically have double cavities that can only cure the same tire in the same mould in those cavities, added Stefan Bahlke, lead engineer, HF TireTech Group.

“Our new machine is independent from the left cavity to the right cavity. So you can cure totally different products in the two cavities,” Bahlke stated.

Such flexibility is needed, said Rolfe, as the ‘tickets’ are getting smaller in tire factories, in line with orders from their customers.

The design, he added, also responds to an increase in the variety of tires now being required by the market.

ERJ Silver and Gold level subscribers can access the full report via the report link. If you are not yet a subscriber, please visit our subscription section to access to ERJ’s industry-leading information products and services.