With Cimcorp’s system you can achieve 100% availability of tires at the curing presses. Maximizing utilization and minimizing waiting time are key objectives of the logistics system. The objectives are met by integrating buffer and transfer systems under Cimcorp’s WCS control.

As the press throughput defines the ultimate production capacity limit of the tire factory, Cimcorp’s approach is to optimize the flow into the presses and minimize waiting time. Robots are the most efficient way to load the curing presses. The linear transfer robots automatically pick up the tires from the pick-up point of the green tire buffer system (see previous section) and deposit them on the curing press load tables.

If the layout allows direct access to the presses from the green tire buffer, integrating the green tire buffer and press provides a remarkably efficient solution.

The systems are fast and accurate and, running overhead, leave the factory layout open and uncluttered. This gives excellent access to the curing presses at all times.

The system is controlled, like all the other processes, by the Cimcorp WCS; flow control and tracking of the route of individual tires are maintained throughout.

The linear robots can also be used to transfer green tires from the building machines, through spraying, to the input point for the green tire buffer illustrated in the previous section. Thus the whole production line can be linked together. The material flow is completely under control and no manual handling is required.

In some cases robots are not the ideal solution. If for instance the clear height in the building is insufficient, or there are obstacles such as building columns, or the layout precludes robot access to the presses – then an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) solution may be the right answer. Adapted to the size of load handled and the layout constrictions, the AGVs are implemented by Cimcorp as systems integrator.