Bridgestone Bandag, LLC

Matthew J Abraham

James A Kendall, Jr

Wade L Terrill

Jaime J Benitez

Alexander G Tomtschik

Jeremiah J Nartker

Robert P Hardy

Seth D Taylor

Devin T Smith

Zachary Milliron

Jeffrey A Wachtel

Jr James A Kendall

Systems and methods of buffing tire casings are provided. A tire buffing machine includes a tire hub assembly selectively rotating a mounted casing, a buffer configured to buff the casing, a tire belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors to detect a first belt depth of one or more belts at a first lateral position in a tire casing and a second belt depth of the one or more belts at a second lateral position within the tire casing, and an electronic controller. The controller determines the first belt depth and the second belt depth using a belt detection apparatus having two or more sensors of the belt detection apparatus and adjusts the operation of the buffer based on the first belt depth or the second belt depth.

Non-destructive belt detection apparatus and method

A system for leak testing an envelope for a tire assembly can include a rim, an envelope sized to accommodate a green tire assembly and secured to the rim, a vacuum system in fluid communication with the envelope, and a controller. The controller can be configured to pressurize the envelope to a predetermined pressure, compare a slope of pressure over time to a predetermined value, and enable proceeding with a depressurization of the envelope responsive to determining the slope of the pressure over time being more than or equal to the predetermined value.

System and method for leak testing green tire assembly enclosures

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Illinois City, IL, United States of America

Matthew J Abraham