Robots revolutionize tire production

The efficiency of the press line is at the core of the tire plant. The pace must be kept high all the time. With linear transfer the journey from green tire to finished product is optimized.

When the utilization of the curing presses on the press line is optimized, factory production will be maximized. Therefore it is crucial to keep the flow of material moving. The curing press line is crucial to this process and requires a system to that won’t lose the pace. The normal process of handling green tires is manual.

• Green tires are stored in carts waiting to be placed in the press.
• The carts take up floor space around the presses. 
• Maintaining the presses is complicated with carts on the floor.
• Loading of the press load table is done by hand.

Up to now there are only a few fully automated feed systems on the market. Recognizing our customers need, Cimcorp developed the press line loading system based on linear transfer.

With Cimcorp’s linear transfer system:

• The robot loads the green tires directly on the curing press table.
• Separate transfer equipment or employees to handle the tires in front of the presses are no longer required.
• Real-time inventory control of the WIP (work in process) is available.
• Automation saves on labor costs and reduces ergonomic problems for employees.
• Fewer or no storage carts are needed for tires.
• Utilization degree of the press line is close to 100%. 

Safety and efficiency

By automating the loading of green tires, safety and efficiency have been improved. Normally press lines are long with many presses in one line. The presses have to be serviced and the molds changed depending on the type of tire. Operators need to get near the machine safely without disturbing or stopping the operation of other equipment. By using Cimcorp’s WCS (Warehouse Control System) the robot tends the press line efficiently and safely. Safety systems enable maintenance work and mold changes even while the robots are working. Depending on the number of presses, one or two robots are required for loading green tires. With this process production capabilities are maximized.

Overall solution

In addition to this concept, Cimcorp can offer comprehensive logistics for handling green tires starting right from the tire building machines. The system receives green tires from the tire-building machines, sorts, stores and loads them onto the presses in the optimal order. Maximum customer benefits are achieved when you automate not only green tire loading but the entire green tire storage operation. Then tires are not handled manually at any stage and storage carts are not needed at all.

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