Disclosed is a transfer wheel, a transfer device and a method for transferring a strip, in particular a run-flat reinforcement strip or a sidewall strip, to a tire building drum, wherein the transfer wheel defines a retaining area that is divided into a first end section for retaining the leading end, a second end section for retaining the trailing end and a main section for supporting the strip body. The transfer wheel has a first mounting member that defines first mounting positions for receiving a first group of retaining segments at the first end section, wherein the first group of retaining segments includes first body retaining segments for retaining the strip body and a first end retaining segment for retaining the leading end, wherein the first mounting member is arranged for interchangeably receiving one first body retaining segment or the first end retaining segment in each first mounting position.

A method for manufacturing a tire comprising a carcass reinforcement comprising a carcass layer and a working reinforcement comprising a single working layer comprising forming, around a support, a wound carcass assembly (52) intended to form the carcass layer and a wound working assembly intended to form the working layer, and then deforming the support. The wound carcass assembly (52) is formed so as to form either a junction (56) by abutment without forming a superposition, or a junction (56) by overlapping, or without forming a junction.

A plant for building tyres, includes: a shaping work station configured for receiving a carcass sleeve; at least one radially expandable/contractible toroidal forming drum engageable in the shaping work station; at least one work station configured for building at least one component of a crown structure on a radially external surface of a tyre being processed, defined starting from the carcass sleeve that is shaped and coupled to the forming drum; transfer devices configured for moving said forming drum along a closed-loop completion path and arranging it in proximity to the work station in order to obtain a green tyre, the closed-loop completion path being extended from an initial work station to a final work station coinciding with the shaping work station; and a pick-up device configured for picking up said green tyre decoupled from the respective forming drum.

An apparatus for looping anchoring annular structures of a tyre for vehicle wheels, includes at least three looping drums. Each looping drum has a longitudinal axis thereof, with respect to which it is radially expandable/contractible in a manner so as to turn up the loop around an anchoring annular structure. The apparatus also includes a loop deposit station, a loading station configured for loading the anchoring annular structures on the looping drum and an unloading station configured for unloading the looped anchoring annular structures from the looping drum. The loop deposit station, loading station and unloading station are angularly offset from each other. A turret transfer apparatus supports the looping drums in positions angularly offset with respect to each other and is configured for transferring the looping drums between the loop deposit station, the loading station and the unloading station rotating around a vertically-arranged transfer axis.

Provided is a validation tool and a method for validating optical equipment that is used for measuring a plurality of characteristics of one or more tyre components during winding application of said tyre components around a tyre building drum, wherein a first tyre component of the one or more tyre components includes a first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics which, after measuring, is overlapped by the same or another tyre component of the one or more tyre components including a second characteristic of the plurality of characteristics, wherein the validation tool is provided with a first reference element that is arranged to represent the first characteristic and a second reference element that is arranged to represent the second characteristic, wherein the second reference element is offset with respect to the first reference element to at least partially expose the first reference element.

A tire shaping drum has a central axle, a drum part which is capable of expansion and contraction, and a expanding/contracting means for changing the drum part. In the drum part, first segments having first end faces at both ends in the circumferential direction, and second segments having second end faces at both ends in the circumferential direction, are alternately seriated. There is provided with a backlash prevention means for preventing backlash between the contacting first end faces and second end faces when the drum part is in a diameter expanded state. Consequently, the first end faces and the second end faces closely contact with each other, and changes in the circularity of the drum part and the outer diameter of the drum part can be prevented.

A tire shaping drum has a central axle, a drum part which is capable of expansion and contraction, and a expanding/contracting means for changing the drum part. In the drum part, first segments having first end faces at both ends in the circumferential direction, and second segments having second end faces at both ends in the circumferential direction, are alternately seriated. There is provided with a backlash prevention means for preventing backlash between the contacting first end faces and second end faces when the drum part is in a diameter expanded state. Consequently, the first end faces and the second end faces closely contact with each other, and changes in the circularity of the drum part and the outer diameter of the drum part can be prevented.

An apparatus for applying a strip of elastomeric material to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a nozzle having an inlet in fluid communication with a pumping means, said nozzle having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface has a curved shape for mating engagement with an outer surface of a rotatable roller, said lower surface having an opening positioned for engagement with the roller outer surface.

An apparatus for applying a strip of elastomeric material to a surface, the apparatus comprising: a nozzle having an inlet in fluid communication with a pumping means, said nozzle having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface has a curved shape for mating engagement with an outer surface of a rotatable roller, said lower surface having an opening positioned for engagement with the roller outer surface.

In a process for building tires, a carcass structure which includes at least one carcass ply and a belt structure, is formed. Manufacture of the belt structure includes: forming a first portion of at least one cushion insert through spiralling of a continuous elongated element; forming at least one first belt layer in a radially external position to the first portion in such a manner that the first portion axially projects from one of the axially opposite side edges of the first belt layer, forming a second portion of the cushion insert through spiralling of a continuous elongated element in a radially external position to the side edge of the first belt layer and to a stretch of the first portion projecting from the side edge itself, so as to enclose the side edge between the first and second portions of the cushion insert.