OUR INDUSTRIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20820, 12 March 1931, Page 18

OUR INDUSTRIES.

ECONOMY FOR MOTORIST

DOUBLING WEAR OF TYRES.

A GROWING INDUSTRY.

ADVANX RETREAD COMPANY. (This is the 17th of a eerie* of articles devoted to New 'Zealand's, manufacturing industries.)

The fact that nearly 70 per cent, of the cost of a tyre is represented by its cord fabric basis, and that this foundation, if the tyre is given reasonable usage, has the life of two or three treads, is one which is very little realised by motorists to whom the queiition of tyre renewal is one of their ever-imminent worries. The problem of getting the full wear out of the "carcase" of the tyre, as the rubberimpregnated cord is called, is one that has been very satisfactorily solved by the Advanx Ty-Re-Pair Company of New Zealand, Limited, whose factory in Hobson Street renews treads on thousands of tyres sent in, noli only from all parts of the Auckland Province, but from places as distant as Nine and Norfolk-Islands. Commenced three years ago with a staff of one man and a, boy, the business now provides employment for 26 persons. The latest machinery, designed and executed by the "company's own titaff, coupled with the most modern business methods and a strictly cash policy, make it possible for tihe work of re-treading or repairing to bei carried out at less cost than in the Sydney works of the com-

pany, although the cost of material! and labour Is higher. It is the prond boast of the managerj Mr. H. G. R. Braden, who was one o:f the two original introducers of the Advanx system to Australia and New Zealand, that a car or lorry "can be driven into the factory in the morning, parked in the commodious and dust-free basement garage during the day, and have the complete set of tyres rejuvenated and replaced on the vehicle before closing time the same day. The rejuvenation of a tyre means that ifc has been Inspected, all weaknesses in the "carcase" repaired and a new tread built on, giving each tyre the same expectation of life and service as a new tyre. This service is availed of by a large number of firms as well as private owners. ...

Before any tyre is accepted for retreading, a thorough inspection of the interior surface is made by means of an ingenious machine, which exposes the complete inner surface. Frequently it is found that a tyre, although showing no cuts on the tread, has fractures in the cord lining, making a strengthening necessary, or, in some cases, making retreading inadvisable. No tyre is accepted which is not likely, when rejuvenated, to give a new tyre's service. By far the greatest cause of a tyre'a premature failure is undor-inflation or overloading. In Mr. Braden's opinion, 80 per cent, of the premature collapse of tyres are due

to this condition and of the remaining 20 per cent., 15 per cent, are due to misaligned or oscillating wheels. " Only 5 per cent, of unexpected failures are due to faulty construction," he said. " Never before have manufacturers placed a better tyre on tjio market than they are doing to-day." When a tyre has boon accepted for retreading it is taken immediately to the factory, where a further and more detailed inspection for faults is made. In many cases it is found that a weakness in the tyre has been accentuated by the motorist fitting a rough, loose " boot" inside, between the tube and the cover, in the hope of strengthening tho tyre. Actually, such a practice weakens the tyre very considerably by causing internal friction and heat, and loosening the rubber, insulation between the cords. Flaws in . the fabric of a tyre are repaired by fitting a rubberised patch of carefully-chosen weight and thickness to the inside of the tvre and making the junction so smooth that no friction result* between-tho tuho

The work of re-treading the tyre is morn intricate, and the secret of the success attained by the Advanx system is that every factor, such as the type, size and make of the tyre, is considered in choonirig the suitable rubber to be employed. All these details are entered on the docket which is attached to the tyre before it, enters theiactory. After cuts, have been repaired all surplus rubber is removed rapidly from the old tread and a rough but even surface is given by a special abrasive machine. The " carcase " 'ls tluin treated with a coating of liquiid rubber, which penetrates into the cord fnbric, rejuvenating it and making,it riuidy for the adhesion of the new rabbet.' The process of building up and reinforoi'jig the tyre with the new tread is now begun, and for this three different typiss of rubber are used, all being drawn from long rolls of rubber ribbon of widths ito sait the different" treads.

The first, known as "junction "rubber,i« a very light rubber, next to the cords and used more for; its remarkable adhesive -than wearing qualities. The second layer of rubber usod is " sheet" rubber, giving body to the tyre, while last of all ij the rubber which later becomes the "tread" and comes, in actual contact with the road. This is of generous thickness and is specially compounded to give £i, hard yet flexible wearing surface. Finally comes the consolidating process, in which much of the secret of till# Advanx system's success is found.

In the past, the vulcanising of the robber was carried on in a type of pot in which the tyres "were boiled like plumpuddings." The Advanx factory, how«

ever, uses the Dry Cold Cure method, ia which only dry and moderate heat is applied to the exterior of the tyres alone. The specially-designed machines, in which the heating is by steam under pressure, are able to cope with. all- classes ol tyre from the largest of omnibus tyres to the tyres ol the smallest of "baby" cars. A special feature has been made of the service for the latter and 'frith the latest machine it is possible to have « complete set of five tyres for a "baby'i car retreaded within five hours, and at * total cost of £3 15s. This is only on§ oxample of the amazingly low prices for which it is possible to have one's tyres renewed.

In the process of vulcanising the distinctive Advanx tread is impressed oQ the tyre. This tread has been' scientific •:ally designed, so as to grip ttm road against either a side skid or for wheel spin in a forward or reverse direction.! It has also been designed to give tho benefit of the full width of the tread from; the first day it is put into use: The rubber itself is so compounded as to offer: the maximum resistance to road obstructions yet it is so flexible as to offer the maximum grip without excessive weur. The final stage in the process lies in the hands of the finisher swho completes the task of making the tyre like new by making its very appearance indistinguishable from a tyre straight from the original factory;

Some of the advantages possessed by th# firm and enabling it to supply such efficient and cheap service are that it purchases and sells for cash, it mills its own rubber and has its own foundry and manufactures its own machinery. It specialises wholely and , solely in the tyre business and handles no sidelines. Every, salesman, besides being educated, :.n salesmanship, is given a practical course in the factory. The policy of the firm has always been to do everything necessary in the interests of the customer and to make any alternative deal required by him, whether he is a private motorist, a commercial user or a motor garage proprietor. The success of the company is attributed by Mr. Braden to tho wholehearted support of satisfied motorists, combined with an enthusiastic and -efficient staff.

As an example of the quality of the workmanship and the material put in to the work, it may be mentioned that & renewed tyre carries exactly ■ the same guarantee as a new one. A free weekly inspection and tyre pressure check maintained by the company in 'ardeit tq assist motorista hi Increasing tfceir VJTm sAgiM. ' ■ v-M 'V3I