VMI won this category due to its MAXX technology, a tire-building machine (TBM) that operates quite differently from other TBMs.
The device is a two-drum machine for radial car tires that works according to the single-stage building process. It combines a high level of flexibility with a substantially higher output and a better green tire quality, and can build tires in various sizes from 13in up to 24in rim size.
The tire-building process of the MAXX is fully automatic and a robot unloads the green tires from the machine. The new design allows for the integration of all safety measures in the base construction of the machine.
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Sumitomo Rubber Industries was recognized for its ambitious medium-term strategy to start selling tires that include no petrochemical materials by 2013. In addition to its green ingredients, the tires' designs will offer optimal rolling resistance characteristics.
2008 saw SRI launch tires in which petrochemicals account for a mere 3% of raw materials, compared with 56% for its ordinary tire ranges. The remaining 97% consists of oil-free materials such as steel wires, vegetable oil, fibers from plant cellulose, and natural rubber. The 3% of petrochemical content will be replaced with natural alternatives to create anti-aging properties.
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The Self Inflating Tire system (SIT) is a new invention of Coda Development designed to aid fuel economy and safety, which has rapidly found an accolade. Besides benefiting drivers through elimination of unpopular pressure checks and dirty-handed inflating of tires, it helps to address the serious drawbacks of incorrect tire pressure.
SIT is an integral tire feature that uses atmospheric air to inflate the tire automatically when a vehicle is put in motion, compensating for natural loss of pressure and ensuring maintenance-free, constant tire pressure over the lifetime of the tire.
The system is based on peristaltic pump principles. It integrates a tube chamber into the tire wall. As the tire turns against the road this chamber acts as a peristaltic pump, forcing more air into the tire until it reaches its desired pressure. Then a managing valve automatically stops further inflation, ensuring that all tires operate at optimal pressure at all times. Driving less than one mile compensates for typical leakage of 1-3% per month.
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Research has been a key motivator for Pirelli, with an eye to creating innovative materials and ecological benefits that impressed the jury.
To progress these aims, Pirelli tied up with two venerable research institutions. As a result of an agreement signed by Pirelli's Silvio Tronchetti Provera Foundation and the University of Shandong in China, advances in ecological tires will be furthered.
For a year, the researchers of one of the most renowned seats of learning in China in mathematics and materials science, will work shoulder to shoulder with those of Pirelli.
The objective of the project is to produce tires with a lower rolling resistance, in synergy with a broader program of development activity. The Italo-Chinese agreement also includes two joint research initiatives aimed at achieving more consistent mixes and the development of a low-temperature vulcanizing process.
Domestically, the Pirelli Group and the Politecnico di Milano University have signed an agreement for creation of a chair in ‘Chemical Foundations of Technology of Rubber and Composites’. The new chair aims at the study of innovative materials and application of nanotechnologies for development of next-generation tires.
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Leading independent testing facility Standards Testing Laboratories (STL) has been expanding its capabilities for the tire industry, with the latest developments being adding equipment to perform SAE J2452 or rolling resistance coast-down tests, in addition to SAE J1269 single-speed tests. This work is important for meeting future regulations, as well as stringent California legislation; these factors won over the jury.
The labs have also been approved to test pneumatic tires for agricultural vehicles and trailers in accordance with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Regulation No. 106. ECE Reg. 106, which covers new pneumatic tires that serve primarily agricultural and forestry vehicles, agricultural machines and agricultural trailers, and that correspond to speeds below 65km/h. In addition to agricultural tires, STL is already certified to test passenger cars tires (ECE Reg. 30), commercial vehicle tires (ECE Reg. 54), and motorcycle, moped and ATV tires (ECE Reg. 75) to European standards.
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COVER STORY: First impressions - There has never been a more exciting time in the tire mold industry, due to legislative and consumer pressures.
Air Support
University focus
Green flag
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