Tire plants benefit from Dream Factory

Cimcorp’s totally integrated, automatic handling solution for tire plants.

Cimcorp’s solutions have been revolutionizing the tire manufacturing industry since 2001 but it was not until 2008 – when the company developed systems for automatic loading of the curing presses – that its dream factory concept became a reality. Since then, Cimcorp has been able to offer complete, end-to-end automated logistics solutions for tire plants, controlled by a single operating system that supervises the material flows throughout the entire factory.

Download our brochure and study the dream factory concept.

The Cimcorp systems automate the handling operations at every stage of the plant: from tire building and the green tire buffer, through curing to finishing and uniformity testing, and then to storage, picking and dispatch at the loading dock. Using the right combination of linear transfer robots, TyrePick overhead gantry robots, palletizing robots and automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), Cimcorp solutions make dynamic use of available space, optimize material flows and minimize buffer stocks.

In addition, Cimcorp’s Warehouse Control System (WCS) provides complete control of the order picking and material flows, allowing individual tires to be tracked through the entire process.

Robots perform effortlessly and accurately even the most strenuous and monotonous tasks. Tires – especially those on popular sport utility vehicles – are heavy and cumbersome products to manhandle, so automation of their flows through the factory not only speeds up production but also improves the working conditions of the plant’s staff.

Until recently, the missing link in the dream factory concept was the automatic loading of the curing presses but Cimcorp has developed two alternative solutions for this task. Now, tires can be loaded automatically onto the presses using either linear transfer robots or an EMS (electric monorail system).

Cimcorp’s dream factory systems secure a number of tangible benefits for tire producers:

• High flexilibity. Overhead gantry systems offer exceptionally high flexibility to meet fluctuations in production. Additionally, floor-based storage is both totally programmable – allowing it to accommodate changes in the product range easily and economically – and completely accessible at all times, allowing manual backup operations if necessary.
• High productivity. With automated systems determining the pace of work, productivity is considerably higher, resulting in shorter lead-times and greater earnings potential.
• Reduced WIP. Reductions in green tire buffer stocks not only reduce WIP (Work In Process) but also save considerable space, which can be used for production.
• Total material flow control. Real-time inventories and data tracking throughout the system give 100% product traceability, improved availability and total control.