Claims
- 1. A method for making a tread-belt assembly for application to a tire carcass, the method comprising the steps of:
advancing a leading end of a length of tread stock along a plane tangent to an outer circumferential surface of a belt package disposed about an assembly drum; and applying the leading end of the tread stock to the outer circumference of the belt package; rotating the assembly drum to apply a section of the length of tread stock to the outer circumference of the belt package; cutting the length of tread stock to form a trailing end of the section of tread stock and a leading end of the remaining length of tread stock; and applying the trailing end of the section of tread stock to the circumference of the belt package and abutting the trailing end to the leading end of the section of tread stock.
- 2. The method of claim 1, the step of advancing the leading end of the length of tread stock includes the steps of:
gripping the leading end of the tread stock prior to cutting the length of tread stock; and advancing the leading end of the length of tread stock by moving the gripped leading end.
- 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of gripping includes the step of:
inserting a plurality of transfer pins downward into both lateral outside edges of the tread stock such that each of the plurality of transfer pins is angled toward a closest, laterally outside edge of the tread stock for securely gripping unsupported the tread stock.
- 4. The method of claim 3, including the step of:
inserting each of the plurality of transfer pins by an angle in the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees into a surface of the tread stock disposed between the lateral outside edges of the tread stock.
- 5. The method of claim 4, including the step:
inserting each of the plurality of transfer pins by an angle in the range of 40 degrees to 60 degrees.
- 6. The method of claim 3, including the step of:
inserting each of the plurality of transfer pins by an angle of 45 degrees.
- 7. A method for making a tread-belt assembly for a pneumatic tire, the method comprising the steps of:
advancing a leading end of a length of tread stock along a supply ramp towards an outer circumferential surface of a belt package disposed about an assembly drum; applying the leading end of the tread stock to the outer circumference of the belt package; rotating the assembly drum to apply a section of the length of tread stock to the outer circumference of the belt package; securing the tread stock to the supply ramp for cutting; cutting the length of tread stock to form a trailing end of the section of length of tread stock and a leading end of the remaining length of tread stock; said step of cutting including the step of cutting the tread stock with an ultrasonic cutting blade disposed such that a rear facing, back side of the cutting blade is disposed at an angle to a surface of the tread stock whereby a wedge-like space is created between the back side of the cutting blade and the surface of the tread stock. and applying the trailing end of the section of tread stock to the circumference of the belt package and abutting the trailing end to the leading end of the section of tread stock.
- 8. Method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:
selecting the angle of the wedge-like space by moving a cutting edge of the cutting blade along a first plane which coincides with the cut surface of the leading end of the tread stock; and positioning the back side of the cutting blade to coincide with a second plane which is angled forward from the first plane by a cutting blade angle θ.
- 9. Method of claim 8, wherein:
the cutting blade angle θ is within the range of 1 degree to 15 degrees.
- 10. Method of claim 9, wherein:
the cutting blade angle θ is within the range of 3 degrees to 8 degrees.
- 11. Method of claim 7, further including the step of:
blowing air to create a wedge of space between a front surface of the cutting blade and the cut surface of the trailing end of the section of tread stock.
- 12. Method of claim 7, wherein the step of securing the tread stock to the supply ramp for cutting includes:
inserting a plurality of holding pins through the supply ramp and into the tread stock.
- 13. Method of claim 12, further including the steps of:
inserting the plurality of holding pins from below the tread stock; directing the cutting blade downward from above the tread stock; and pressing a roller against the tread stock to reduce the lifting of the tread stock caused by the insertion of the plurality of holding pins from below the tread stock.
- 14. Apparatus for making a tread-belt assembly for a pneumatic tire, the apparatus comprising:
means for advancing a leading end of a length of tread stock along a plane tangent formed on a the upper surface of a to an outer circumferential surface of a belt package disposed about an assembly drum until the leading end of the tread stock is applied to the outer circumference of the belt package; means for rotating the assembly drum to apply a section of the length of tread stock to the outer circumference of the belt package; means for cutting the length of tread stock to form a trailing end of the section of tread stock and a leading end of the remaining length of tread stock; and means for applying the trailing end of the section of tread stock to the circumference of the belt package and abutting the trailing end to the leading end of the section of tread stock.
- 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further including:
means for gripping the leading end of the tread stock prior to cutting the length of tread stock; and means for advancing the leading end of the length of tread stock by moving the gripped leading end.
- 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the means for gripping includes:
a plurality of transfer pins inserted downward into both lateral outside edges of the tread stock such that each of the plurality of transfer pins is angled toward a closest, laterally outside edge of the tread stock for securely gripping unsupported the tread stock.
- 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein:
each of the plurality of transfer pins are inserted at an angle in the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees into a surface of the tread stock disposed between the lateral outside edges of the tread stock.
- 18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising:
a plurality of holding pins for securing the tread stock to a supply ramp;
- 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:
means for inserting the plurality of holding pins from below the tread stock; means for moving the cutting blade downward from above to cut the tread stock; and means for preventing the green rubber tread stock from lifting when the plurality of holding pins are inserted from below.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application relates to U.S. patent application entitled METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING TIRES ON A FLEXIBLE MANUFACURING SYSTEM, Attorney's Docket No. DN2001166USA, and filed on even date herewith.