A dual mold spacer for use with a dual mold assembly is provided that includes a first side portion configured to engage a first side rail of the dual mold assembly. A second side portion is configured to engage a second side rail of the dual mold assembly. A body portion extends from the first side portion to the second side portion and is configured to be located between a press of the dual mold assembly and first and second molds of the dual mold assembly. The body portion is configured for being spaced from and free from engagement with the first and second molds.

The present disclosure provides a method and apparatus for cleaning a workpiece, and a method and apparatus for cleaning a ventless tire segment mold. The method for cleaning a workpiece comprises: heating the workpiece to a preset temperature; and applying a cleaning solution onto the workpiece so that the cleaning solution is vaporized instantaneously to form a micro-explosion at each shocking point, thereby peeling dirt off the workpiece and achieving the purpose of workpiece cleaning. The apparatus for cleaning a workpiece comprises: a heating device for heating the workpiece into a preset temperature range, and a cleaning device for applying a cleaning solution onto the workpiece so that the cleaning solution is vaporized instantaneously to form a micro-explosion at each shocking point, thereby peeling dirt off the workpiece and achieving the purpose of workpiece cleaning. The present disclosure not only cleans the dirt on the surface of the workpiece, but also makes a significant breakthrough in the cleaning of the gaps of micron or nano scale on the workpiece. The present disclosure has the characteristics of lower cost, simple cleaning, thorough dirt removal, etc.

Method for cleaning a vulcanization mould for tyres in a curing press, using a device (1) comprising a collaborative mobile robot (10), incorporating a computer program, said robot comprising an autonomous mobile platform (2) mounted on drive wheels and comprising batteries supplying electricity, a dry ice dispenser (6), sensors for identifying the location of the mould to be cleaned and motors ensuring its displacement between a storage location of the device and the mould to be cleaned and the displacement of an articulated mobile arm (3) of said robot, said robot bearing a nozzle (4) for spraying dry ice from said dispenser, wherein the device comprises means for communication with a control unit.

According to the invention, the control unit sends a mission instruction to said device, which navigates between a storage location and the location of the mould and automatically cleans the vulcanization mould.

A vent hole cleaning method for cleaning a vent hole provided on a molding surface of a mold for vulcanizing a rubber product includes a step of detecting a shape of the molding surface; a step of calculating a position of the vent hole by comparing the shape of the molding surface obtained in the step of detecting with molding surface information stored in a controlling device in advance and including a position of the vent hole; a step of moving a cleaning means to the vent hole based on the calculated position of the vent hole; and a step of cleaning the vent hole by the cleaning means.

Vents and micro-structures of rubber molds may become clogged with rubber that is difficult to remove. These vents and micro-structures can be cleaned of rubber, even if heat aged, by subjecting the mold to high temperatures in the presence of a solvent to devulcanize any rubber present. If the rubber used with the mold being cleaned includes carbon black, a solvent may be used to dissolve the devulcanized polymer, leaving the carbon black which can be removed by water jets or other cleaning means.

Provided are a cleaning device and a method for cleaning a vulcanization mold. At the time of cleaning a molding surface of a vulcanization mold by irradiating with a laser beam from a laser head, an inert gas is supplied from a supply nozzle and an irradiation range of the molding surface irradiated with the laser beam is brought into an atmosphere of the inert gas.

A method of performing preventative maintenance on an auger in a tire filling mixing machine, by: (a) mixing a polyurethane isocyanate and a catalyst in a first mixer to form a virgin polyurethane; (b) grinding polyurethane core bits in a grinder, the grinder having an auger and a motor; (c) mixing the virgin polyurethane and the ground core bits in a second mixer thereby forming a mixed flatproofing material; (d) injecting the mixed flatproofing material into a tire; (e) measuring vibration of the auger; and (f) comparing the measured vibration of the auger to a predefined maximum vibration; and (g) removing the auger from the grinder if the measured vibration exceeds the pre-defined maximum vibration for a predefined period of time, or removing the auger from the grinder if the measured temperature of the auger exceeds the pre-defined maximum temperature for a predefined period of time.

A method of performing preventative maintenance on an auger in a tire filling mixing machine, by: (a) mixing a polyurethane isocyanate and a catalyst in a first mixer to form a virgin polyurethane; (b) grinding polyurethane core bits in a grinder, the grinder having an auger and a motor; (c) mixing the virgin polyurethane and the ground core bits in a second mixer thereby forming a mixed flatproofing material; (d) injecting the mixed flatproofing material into a tire; (e) measuring vibration of the auger; and (f) comparing the measured vibration of the auger to a predefined maximum vibration; and (g) removing the auger from the grinder if the measured vibration exceeds the pre-defined maximum vibration for a predefined period of time, or removing the auger from the grinder if the measured temperature of the auger exceeds the pre-defined maximum temperature for a predefined period of time.

An automatic plant for cleaning moulds for tyres, wherein the moulds are constituted of sectors and cheeks, includes an apparatus for internal cleaning of sectors and cheeks and an apparatus for external cleaning of sectors and cheeks. The apparatus for internal cleaning of sectors and cheeks comprises fixing means for sectors and cheeks in a stable treatment position, a generating device for generating ultrasonic vibrations, transmitting means for transmitting the vibrations from the device to the sector or cheek treated, in such a way as to carry out cleaning of sectors or cheeks by subjecting them to vibrations.

Provided is a mold cleaning system. When cleaning a mold, the mold cleaning system acquires three-dimensional image data of a molding surface of the mold by a camera and, on the basis of the acquired image data, the mold cleaning system controls the movement of arms using a control device, moves a laser head along the molding surface while irradiating with a laser beam supplied by a laser oscillator and, as a result, removes dirt adhered to the molding surface.