Disclosed herein are automated systems and methods utilizing a plurality of specialized RFID tags incorporated within various tire manufacturing components (e.g., mold segments, mold container, bladder plates, tire presses, and extrusion dies) that are able to readily track tire manufacture and identify defect source(s) while concurrently being configured to the harsh processes and temperatures of tire manufacture.

A method and system for applying a sealing agent to a surface (2) of an inner cavity (3) of a pneumatic tyre; the method provides for detecting the weight of the pneumatic tyre (4) before and after the application of the sealing agent to the surface (2); calculating the difference between the quantity of sealing agent applied to the surface (2) and a reference quantity of sealing agent, storing said difference within a short-term memory buffer (24) and a long-term memory buffer (26); determining a short-term compensation factor (K.sub.ST) and a long-term compensation factor (K.sub.LT) and calculating a correction factor (K.sub.EA) using alternately the short-term compensation factor (K.sub.ST) or else the long-term compensation factor (K.sub.LT); and using said correction factor (K.sub.EA) to actuate an applicator device (7) during the subsequent step of applying the strip of sealing agent to the surface (2).

A first forming apparatus includes a forming drum, a forming unit, a conveyance path, and a conveyance unit that conveys the forming drum along the conveyance path. A tire member is formed with tire components wound on the forming drum by the forming unit. The first forming apparatus also includes a measurement unit that performs, on a downstream side of the forming unit in the conveyance path, measurement on the tire components wound on the forming drum while the forming drum is moving through the measurement unit, in a tire radial direction over a width direction of the forming drum, and an inspection unit that performs inspection on winding states of the tire components based on a measurement result due to the measurement unit.

An assembly for processing bead-apexes includes a weighing device for measuring the weight of one of the bead-apexes and at least one station for supplying or receiving the bead-apexes to or from the weighing device in a supply direction or a discharge direction, respectively. The assembly further includes a frame for supporting the at least one station, wherein the weighing device has a weighing member for receiving and supporting one of the bead-apexes and a base member connected to and forming a base for the weighing member. The weighing device is arranged for measuring the weight of the one bead-apex on the weighing member, while the weighing member is arranged for keeping the one bead-apex stationary during the weighing, while the frame of the assembly and the base member of the weighing device are supported independently.

An assembly (10) for positioning sensors within a tire is provided that has first and second bead sensors (14,16), and first and second side-wall/shoulder sensors (18, 20). A first actuator (30) moves the sensors in a radial direction of the tire, and a second actuator (32) moves the first and second bead sensors in the axial direction of the tire. A third actuator (34) is present and moves the first and second bead sensors in the axial direction relative to the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors. A fourth actuator (36) moves the first and second bead sensors in the axial direction relative to one another, and a fifth actuator (38) moves the first and second sidewall/shoulder sensors in the axial direction relative to one another.

Disclosed herein are automated systems and methods utilizing a plurality of specialized RFID tags incorporated within various tire manufacturing components (e.g., mold segments, mold container, bladder plates, tire presses, and extrusion dies) that are able to readily track tire manufacture and identify defect source(s) while concurrently being configured to the harsh processes and temperatures of tire manufacture.

A system for leak testing an envelope for a tire assembly can include a rim, an envelope sized to accommodate a green tire assembly and secured to the rim, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the envelope, and a controller. The controller can be configured to pressurize the envelope to a predetermined pressure, compare a slope of pressure over time to a predetermined value, and enable proceeding with a depressurization of the envelope responsive to determining the slope of the pressure over time being more than or equal to the predetermined value.

An apparatus for building and for checking a continuous elongated element during the building of a tyre for vehicle wheels. A beam of an electromagnetic radiation is projected on a section of the continuous elongated element dispensed by a dispensing head and interposed between the dispensing head and a first contact area of the continuous elongated element with a radially outer surface of a tyre being processed. An image of a radiation reflected by the section is acquired. A first parameter related to the image is detected, and the first parameter is compared with a second reference parameter.

A method for checking a continuous elongated element during the building of a tyre for vehicle wheels. A beam of an electromagnetic radiation is projected on a section of the continuous elongated element dispensed by a dispensing head and interposed between the dispensing head and a first contact area of the continuous elongated element with a radially outer surface of a tyre being processed. An image of a radiation reflected by the section is acquired. A first parameter related to the image is detected, and the first parameter is compared with a second reference parameter.

A station for checking the formation of beads of tyres, including: a forming drum for arranging a carcass sleeve with formed beads with the carcass sleeve in rotation, an image acquisition system for acquiring at least an image of a circumferential portion of external surface including the respective edges of the end flaps turned up; a processing unit for processing the image in order to determine a circumferential trend of the axial distance of each edge from an axial reference plane and for detecting possible defects of the beads as a function of such trend.