Fixturing for inspection of the interior of tire casings

摘要

Holder and spreader fixturing for spreading and positioning the bead portions of tire casings to enable unobstructed holographic inspection of the interior of tire casings for manufacturing defects, including holder fixtures comprised of a pair of spreader rings insertable into the rim opening of the tire casing and engaging opposite bead portions of the tire casings. A plurality of U-shaped externally positioned props assembled to each of the spreader rings position the bead portions in the spread-apart position and provide an unobstructed view from the rim opening. Various configurations of the spreader rings include a split one-piece ring; a one-piece ring having trimmed side flanges; and a collapsible hinged spreader ring configuration. The spreader fixturing includes a pair of transverse arms adapted to engage separator rings on opposite tire bead portions, one of the arms being secured to a power cylinder housing and the other movable with the operating rod to produce separation of the tire bead portions upon pressurization of the cylinder.