The invention relates to a belt and tread drum for manufacturing a package of a belt layer and a tread layer into a cylindrical tire component, wherein the belt and tread drum comprises two support surfaces which are arranged spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said belt and tread drum and which face away from the drum centre line and are radially movable with respect to the rigid support surface from a retracted position in which the tread support surface is arranged at or near the rigid support surface, to a raised position wherein the tread support surface is arranged in a radially outward position with respect to the rigid support surface, and vice versa, and wherein the tread support surfaces are movable in the substantial longitudinal direction of said drum.

The invention relates to a belt and tread drum for manufacturing a package of a belt layer and a tread layer into a cylindrical tire component, wherein the belt and tread drum comprises two support surfaces which are arranged spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of said belt and tread drum and which face away from the drum centre line and are radially movable with respect to the rigid support surface from a retracted position in which the tread support surface is arranged at or near the rigid support surface, to a raised position wherein the tread support surface is arranged in a radially outward position with respect to the rigid support surface, and vice versa, and wherein the tread support surfaces are movable in the substantial longitudinal direction of said drum.

A process for building tyres for vehicle wheels includes: forming a tyre in process, the tyre including a belt structure and depositing a tread band in a position radially external to the belt structure by winding a continuous elongated element made of elastomeric material according to axially adjacent or partially overlapped coils. During the deposition of the tread band and on at least one of the coils already wound, a conductive liquid elastomeric compound is applied, the compound continuously extended between a radially outer surface of the tread band and a radially outer surface of the belt structure to generate electrically conductive paths and free zones.

The invention is directed to a posing assembly (30) that effects transfer and posing of a semifinished product (100) that is destined for inclusion in a tire. The invention is also directed to a tire production system (10) for transferring and posing a semi-finished product (100) that is destined for inclusion in a tire, which system includes the disclosed posing assembly. A method is provided for transferring and posing a semi-finished product (100) upon a rotating forming drum (40) having a circumferential forming surface (40a) during a product posing cycle, which method includes a step of providing a tire production system as disclosed.

The invention is directed to a posing assembly (30) that effects transfer and posing of a semifinished product (100) that is destined for inclusion in a tire. The invention is also directed to a tire production system (10) for transferring and posing a semi-finished product (100) that is destined for inclusion in a tire, which system includes the disclosed posing assembly. A method is provided for transferring and posing a semi-finished product (100) upon a rotating forming drum (40) having a circumferential forming surface (40a) during a product posing cycle, which method includes a step of providing a tire production system as disclosed.

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.

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.

An applicator roll, a tire component servicer, and a method for applying a strip to a drum are provided. The applicator roll includes an outer ring that is rotatable about a rotation axis and that defines a retaining surface. The applicator roll is provided with suction openings for retaining the strip to the retaining surface. The applicator roll includes a follower that is rotatable inside the outer ring to follow a part of the strip on the retaining surface. The follower defines a chamber that extends in the circumferential direction over a retaining arc along the outer ring. The follower is rotatable about the rotation axis independently of the outer ring to a first retaining position on the outer ring in which the chamber is arranged in air communication with one or more suction openings within said retaining arc.

An applicator roll, a tire component servicer, and a method for applying a strip to a drum are provided. The applicator roll includes an outer ring that is rotatable about a rotation axis and that defines a retaining surface. The applicator roll is provided with suction openings for retaining the strip to the retaining surface. The applicator roll includes a follower that is rotatable inside the outer ring to follow a part of the strip on the retaining surface. The follower defines a chamber that extends in the circumferential direction over a retaining arc along the outer ring. The follower is rotatable about the rotation axis independently of the outer ring to a first retaining position on the outer ring in which the chamber is arranged in air communication with one or more suction openings within said retaining arc.

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.