The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a method for retreading a tire (16) having a worn surface (12). The worn surface (12) is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The apparatus (10) includes a heater (34) and a 3D printer (18). The heater (34) is adapted to heat up the worn surface (12) to a desired temperature. The 3D printer (18) is adapted to lay one or more layers of the thermoplastic elastomer onto the heated worn surface (12). The or each layer of thermoplastic elastomer is capable of adhering to the heated worn surface (12) or previously laid layer without requiring an adhesive medium or agent.

A tire manufacturing method to obtain a base tire superior in uniformity when the base tire has a cushion gum applied thereon. In this process of tire manufacture, the thickness from a belt, which is located in the outermost layer of the base tire having an application surface for the cushion gum, to the application surface is measured along the circumference of the base tire so as to detect a maximum thickness position. Then the circumferential winding of the cushion gum extruded from an extrusion molding unit is started from the maximum thickness position.

Systems and methods of buffing tire casings are provided. A tire buffing machine includes a tire hub assembly selectively rotating a mounted casing, a buffer configured to buff the casing, a first measurement subsystem with at least one electromagnetic transmitter and sensor directed toward at least one belt in the casing, a second measurement subsystem directed toward a pre-buff location and a post-buff location on the casing surface, and an electronic controller. The controller determines at least one belt depth based on electromagnetic transmitter and sensor data received by the first measurement subsystem, determines an amount of removed casing material based on pre-buff casing distance data and post-buff casing distance data received by the second measurement subsystem, and adjusts the operation of the buffer based on the at least one belt depth and the amount of removed casing material.

Systems and methods of identifying and buffing tire casings are provided. A tire buffing machine includes an expandable rim, a buffer, a measurement sensor configured to generate measurement data, and a controller. The controller maintains a database of a plurality of casing profiles, where each casing profile includes known casing measurements and corresponding buffing parameters. The controller receives measurement data from the measurement sensor, identifies the casing mounted onto the expandable rim, and operates the buffer to buff the casing in accordance with buffing parameters in the matching casing profile.

A tire buffing apparatus for a tire casing having a plurality of steel belts arranged therein is provided. The tire buffing apparatus including a hub assembly for supporting and rotating a tire casing and a rasp assembly including a rotatable rasp for buffing a tire casing. A tire belt detection system is provided that includes an induction coil element and a sensor. The induction coil element is configured and arranged in relation to the hub assembly such that when the induction coil element is connected to an AC power source, the induction coil element induces a current in the steel belts of a tire casing supported on the hub assembly. The sensor is configured to produce a signal when the rotating rasp is subject to a voltage. A control unit is configured to direct the rasp assembly to stop buffing a tire casing when the sensor produces the signal.

A system and method for tracking a tire through a retread process include various checkpoints with networked touch screen computers at each checkpoint. At certain inspection and repair checkpoints the touch screen computers display tire cross section images with multiple different regions. Selecting a region allows a technician to change injury or repair data associated with that region of the tire. The computer automatically checks entered information against customer retread specifications and alerts the technician if the tire does not fit the customer's requirements for repairing or retreading the tire.

The method includes the step of passing an electric current through at least one wire that is situated between a carcass of a tire casing and a tread. The method also includes the step of calculating a value of a temperature of the wire as a function of a relative value of the current. The method proceeds with the step of controlling the current as a function of the temperature value calculated.

Systems and methods of buffing tire casings are provided. A tire buffing machine includes a tire hub assembly selectively rotating a mounted casing, a buffer configured to buff the casing, a tire belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors to detect a first belt depth of one or more belts at a first lateral position in a tire casing and a second belt depth of the one or more belts at a second lateral position within the tire casing, and an electronic controller. The controller determines the first belt depth and the second belt depth using a belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors of the belt detection apparatus and adjusts the operation of the buffer based on the first belt depth or the second belt depth.

Systems and methods of buffing tire casings are provided. A tire buffing machine includes a tire hub assembly selectively rotating a mounted casing, a buffer configured to buff the casing, a tire belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors to detect a first belt depth of one or more belts at a first lateral position in a tire casing and a second belt depth of the one or more belts at a second lateral position within the tire casing, and an electronic controller. The controller determines the first belt depth and the second belt depth using a belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors of the belt detection apparatus and adjusts the operation of the buffer based on the first belt depth or the second belt depth.

The invention relates to a commercial vehicle tire which is cold-retreadable and comprises sidewalls (5), belt plies (2a) and a profiled tread (1) with shoulder flanks (8a) located outside the ground contact area and running to the sidewalls (5), wherein a buffing indicator (9, 9, 9) for indicating the buffing depth is provided on at least one shoulder flank (8a), running around in the circumferential direction, possibly interrupted in some portions and formed by a multiplicity of elevations (10), wherein the elevations (10) have with respect to the level of the shoulder flank (8a) a maximum thickness, determined perpendicularly to this level, of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The elevations (10) of the buffing indicator (9, 9, 9) are dome-shaped and have a circular base area with a diameter of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.