Method and apparatus for forming a multi-layered tire component

摘要

Methods and apparatus for forming a multi-layered tire component, the steps of the method including providing a mechanical system, the system including a plurality of cutting members; translating a sheet of material along a translation path through the mechanical system; cutting a first strip from the sheet with one or more of the plurality of cutting members, this step occurring during the step of translating; mechanically applying the first strip to a building surface, this step occurring during the step of translating; cutting a second strip from the sheet subsequent to the step of cutting the first strip, this step occurring during the step of translating; mechanically applying the second strip to a building surface, this step occurring during the step of translating.

主权项

1. A method of forming a multi-layered tire component, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a mechanical system, the system including a plurality of cutting members and a sheet generator; introducing input material into the sheet generator; forming a sheet of material with the sheet generator; translating the sheet of material along a translation path through the mechanical system, wherein the translation path is a closed-loop path extending from the sheet generator and returning at least a portion of the sheet to the sheet generator for use as input material; cutting a strip from the sheet with a pair of the plurality of cutting members along an applicator drum, this step occurring during the step of translating; mechanically applying the strip to a building surface associated with a building drum, this step occurring during the step of translating and after the step of cutting the strip has initiated; wherein the step of mechanically applying the strip includes placing the strip into pressurized contact against the building surface by translating at least one of the building surface and the applicator drum toward the other to force the strip against the building surface; retracting at least one of the building surface and the applicator drum away from the other to a resting position after placing the strip into pressurized contact against the building surface such that the building surface is spaced from the applicator drum by a distance greater than a desired thickness of the multi-layer tire component being formed at the resting position, which terminates placement of the strip into pressurized contact against the building surface; and continuing the step of mechanically applying the strip from the applicator drum to the building surface after retracting the at least one of the building surface and the applicator drum away from the other to the resting position; wherein the pair of cutting members is employed to form the strip along a portion of the sheet supported by the applicator drum, each cutting member of the pair of cutting members comprising a rotatable knife, wherein the cutting of the strip from the sheet comprises: cutting one or more laterally extending cutting paths into the sheet of material using at least one cutting member of the pair of cutting members to form a leading edge of the strip; cutting side cutting paths extending from the leading edge using the pair of cutting members to form a width of the strip; cutting one or more laterally extending cutting paths from the side cutting paths using at least one cutting member of the pair of cutting members to form a trailing edge of the strip, wherein the cutting paths form the perimeter of the strip.