Disclosed are to a transfer apparatus and a method for transferring plies onto a carcass package on a tire building drum. The transfer apparatus includes a transfer ring with first ring segments and a frame that extends in a circumferential direction about a central axis for holding the first ring segments in first angular positions distributed in the circumferential direction along the frame, wherein the first ring segments are movable relative to the frame in a radial direction from a first radial distance to a second radial distance from the central axis that is smaller than the first radial distance. The transfer apparatus further includes a first rolling device that is positionable in a second angular position interposed between the first angular positions, and a second ring segment that is positionable in the second angular position at the second radial distance from the central axis.

An apparatus for building tires for vehicle wheels includes a building drum having at least one first outer circumferential surface, and at least one pair of auxiliary support members removably in engagement with the building drum, each in axial side by side relationship with a respective end of the building drum and having second outer circumferential surfaces extending in the continuation of the first outer circumferential surface so as to support at least one component of the tyre. Each of the second outer circumferential surfaces has at least one non-stick circumferential portion and at least one sticking circumferential portion.

A process and an apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels includes assembling at least one tyre component through laying of strip-like elements disposed circumferentially close to each other on a deposition surface radially external to the forming drum, wherein laying of each strip-like element includes: radially moving the strip-like element close to the deposition surface; locking a central portion of the strip-like element against the deposition surface; and pulling the strip-like element in opposite directions starting from the central portion toward the opposite ends thereof, while the central portion is maintained in a locked condition against the deposition surface, so as to progressively lay down the strip-like element against the deposition surface.

Disclosed are a transfer apparatus and a method for transferring plies onto a carcass package on a tire building drum. The transfer apparatus includes a transfer ring with first ring segments and a frame that extends in a circumferential direction about a central axis for holding the first ring segments in first angular positions distributed in the circumferential direction along the frame, wherein the first ring segments are movable relative to the frame in a radial direction from a first radial distance to a second radial distance from the central axis that is smaller than the first radial distance. The transfer apparatus further includes a first rolling device that is positionable in a second angular position interposed between the first angular positions, and a second ring segment that is positionable in the second angular position at the second radial distance from the central axis.

Provided is a tire molding apparatus capable of preventing a transfer device from continuing to swing after stop. The tire molding apparatus includes: a rail; and a transfer device configured to hold a tire member and move along the rail. The transfer device is configured to move along the rail and stop to receive or deliver the tire member. A positioning device is provided in the transfer device. The positioning device includes a concave portion and a convex portion. One of the concave portion and the convex portion is provided in the transfer device, and the other one of the concave portion and the convex portion is provided at a position facing the transfer device when the transfer device is stopped. The transfer device is stopped by fitting the concave portion to the convex portion.

Disclosed are to a transfer apparatus and a method for transferring plies onto a carcass package on a tire building drum. The transfer apparatus includes a transfer ring with first ring segments and a frame that extends in a circumferential direction about a central axis for holding the first ring segments in first angular positions distributed in the circumferential direction along the frame, wherein the first ring segments are movable relative to the frame in a radial direction from a first radial distance to a second radial distance from the central axis that is smaller than the first radial distance. The transfer apparatus further includes a first rolling device that is positionable in a second angular position interposed between the first angular positions, and a second ring segment that is positionable in the second angular position at the second radial distance from the central axis.

Disclosed are a transfer apparatus and a method for transferring plies onto a carcass package on a tire building drum. The transfer apparatus includes a transfer ring with first ring segments and a frame that extends in a circumferential direction about a central axis for holding the first ring segments in first angular positions distributed in the circumferential direction along the frame, wherein the first ring segments are movable relative to the frame in a radial direction from a first radial distance to a second radial distance from the central axis that is smaller than the first radial distance. The transfer apparatus further includes a first rolling device that is positionable in a second angular position interposed between the first angular positions, and a second ring segment that is positionable in the second angular position at the second radial distance from the central axis.

A manufacturing device for an unvulcanized band-shaped rubber member is provided. A position sensor detects, across a width direction of the band-shaped rubber member, leading and trailing ends of the band-shaped rubber member placed in a flat state on a conveyor, holding portions arranged side by side in the width direction hold at least one of the leading or trailing ends, with movement portions allowing the holding portions to move individually in a front-rear direction, the leading and the trailing ends are held by the leading and trailing end holding mechanisms, respectively, and a control unit controls a displacement of the movement portions in the front-rear direction based on data from the position sensor and a target length to adjust elongation in the front-rear direction at or near a held portion held by each of the holding portions to achieve the target length of the band-shaped rubber member.

A process and an apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels includes assembling at least one tyre component through laying of strip-like elements disposed circumferentially close to each other on a deposition surface radially external to the forming drum, wherein laying of each strip-like element includes: radially moving the strip-like element close to the deposition surface; locking a central portion of the strip-like element against the deposition surface; and pulling the strip-like element in opposite directions starting from the central portion toward the opposite ends thereof, while the central portion is maintained in a locked condition against the deposition surface, so as to progressively lay down the strip-like element against the deposition surface.

An apparatus for building a tyre for a vehicle wheel includes a building drum having at least one first outer circumferential surface, and at least one pair of auxiliary support members removably in engagement with the building drum, each in axial side by side relationship with a respective end of the building drum and having second outer circumferential surfaces extending in the continuation of the first outer circumferential surface so as to support at least one component of the tyre. Each of the second outer circumferential surfaces has at least one non-stick circumferential portion and at least one sticking circumferential portion.