System to automate tyre retreading

Press, 27 October 1982, Page 34

System to automate tyre retreading

Mace Engineering, of Christchurch, has brought to prototype stage what will eventually be part of the world’s first fully automated tyre-retreading system. The system already developed, controlled by a microprocessor and using a robot on a track, is for the final part of the process, lifting tyres into presses where they

are cured and patterned, and then cut. . The microprocessor controls the whole process, and can be set to run automatically, starting production and ending it at prescheduled times. The 4%-ton prototype will be flown to Melbourne this week for a tyre-industry conference, but the general manager of Mace Engineer-

ing, Mr E. W. Mace, is of two minds whether he would like someone to buy it there. On the one hand, it would confirm that there is a demand; on the other, it would be more convenient for further development if it were returned to Christchurch. About 40 of Mace’s single tyre presses have been sold, and the new system can

incorporate up to eight of these, but the demonstration model for Melbourne has only two. The price of an eight-press system will be of the order of $lBO,OOO. In New Zealand a number of independent retreaders compete with the major tyre companies, and Mr Mace also says there may be markets for the automated

systems in Australia and South-East Asia. He believes Mace Engineering could comfortably meet a derfiand for five or six systems a year. Teletherm Industries developed the microprocessor for running the system. The presses are powered by hydraulics, and the robot by an air system.