Cordiant develops 3D printing technology for full-scale tire prototypes

Moscow – Cordiant has developed a 3D printing capability to produce "full-scale tire prototypes" at a division of its Intyre technical centre within its Yaroslavl tire plant.

The technology allows engineers to produce mock-ups "with performance characteristics that closely resemble real tires," the company announced 5 Aug.

This enables visual analysis and verification of the geometric parameters of products under development.

According to Cordiant, the technology helps visualise new tread designs during the development stage, enabling "the optimal arrangement of elements and the determination of the pattern geometry."

The 3D printer has a print area of 350 x 350 x 350 millimetres, allowing the company to print a full-size tread.

The facility uses a range of materials, including thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) and polylactic acid (PLA).

According to Cordiant, TPU's flexibility and wear resistance are particularly valuable when recreating deformable parts and testing their behaviour under pressure.

The company plans to use additive manufacturing to shorten development times and speed to market.

The technology is also expected to help create "smarter and more specialised solutions."