¿Cómo se fabrican los neumáticos?

Antes de que comience la producción, trabajamos duro en la investigación y el desarrollo, desde el compuesto de goma hasta el diseño del dibujo, garantizando así que el producto final satisfaga las expectativas de nuestros clientes.

El compuesto es una mezcla de carbono negro, goma y ciertos aceleradores. En el Banbury se pasa a través de rodillos para conseguir un aspecto uniforme. A medida que la mezcla pasa a través de rodillos, el compuesto de goma se enfría gradualmente para proporcionar la dispersión deseada. Los sistemas meticulosos de almacenamiento, codificación y enfriamiento garantizan materiales uniformes, así como exentos de sustancias extrañas para el proceso de extrusión.

A continuación, el compuesto se hace pasar a través de la línea de extrusión de tubos y de la rebanadora de tubos internos de una manera delicada, libre de errores y controlada. La estricta supervisión de las prensas de curado de tubos (con diferentes medios de calentamiento) y la máquina de ajuste del núcleo mantiene un buen acabado superficial y garantiza que el proceso de vulcanización se realice de la manera correcta.

Después de todo el proceso; un lote de llantas será sometido a pruebas rigurosas en ETDAC (centro de desarrollo y análisis de llantas de Eastman), donde tanto las llantas de calle como las de todo terreno son sometidas a pruebas de resistencia a alta velocidad, pruebas de durabilidad a través de máquinas de pruebas de émbolo y tracción. También se someten a pruebas de abrasión, para medir la resistencia.

Another test includes the ash content test, which measures the inorganic material content.

In a nutshell, we ensure quality by:

• Medidas dimensionales del ancho total de la llanta, diámetro general de la llanta, profundidad, etc.
• Prueba de resistencia de las llantas (prueba del émbolo)
• Prueba de resistencia
• Prueba de rendimiento a alta velocidad y prueba de % de crecimiento dinámico
• Propiedades físicas de los costados y de la goma
• Prueba de resistencia de tracción
• Prueba de alargamiento
• Después de todas las pruebas, seguimos con la producción de todo el lote.

Después de todas las pruebas, seguimos con la producción de todo el lote.

How to Read a Tyre?

There are essentially two types of size marking used for motorcycle tyres:

• Imperial
• Millimetric

All of these marking systems describe the width (W), height (H), and rim diameter (dr) of a tyre size.

The tyre aspect ratio drawing (on the Wheels and Rims) shows where these dimensions are measured from and the overall diameter (D).

The height of the tyre, and hence its overall diameter (D), is controlled by the Aspect Ratio (Ar).

Tyre sizes for all motorcycle tyres are generally expressed as:

Width / Aspect Ratio – W/R Construction and Rim Diameter – dr

For older Imperial sizes, the Aspect Ratio is 100% and is not shown.

Examples:

Imperial Type:
3.50 – 18 = 3.50″ sectional width, 3.50″ sectional height — 18″ rim diameter

Perhaps the most easily understood size markings are the modern millimetric type.

Millimetric Type:
110/90 – 18 = 110 mm sectional width / 99 mm sectional height (110 × 90%) — 18″ rim diameter

Effect of Changing Aspect Ratio on Overall Diameter:

All examples below use 120 mm width and 18″ rim diameter:

• 120/100 – 18 → D = 120 × 100% × 2 + (25.4 × 18) = 697.2 mm
• 120/90 – 18 → D = 120 × 90% × 2 + (25.4 × 18) = 673.2 mm
• 120/80 – 18 → D = 120 × 80% × 2 + (25.4 × 18) = 649.2 mm

Although each of these tyres has a 120 mm width and fits an 18″ rim diameter, you can see that the overall diameter varies significantly depending on the aspect ratio.

Storage

General Information

• In bad weather conditions, unloading must be carried out in a covered area; if water is found inside the tyres, it must be removed immediately.
• Unloading must not be done by dropping the tyres or using any method that may damage the quality or visual appearance of the tyre.
• Tyres must not be moved by inserting forklift forks through the tyre center, as this may damage the bead area.
• Store tyres in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area, protected from direct sunlight or artificial light sources with high UV or infrared emission.
• For temporary outdoor storage, tyres must be covered with an impermeable opaque material and protected from water and humidity.

Temperature

The storage temperature must be below 35°C and preferably below 25°C. Temperatures above 50°C, especially when stock rotation is poor, can cause accelerated deterioration and reduce tyre durability. Avoid contact with heaters and radiators.

Very low temperatures do not necessarily affect tyre quality but can increase rigidity. In this case, tyres must not be deformed during handling. If tyres are to be fitted immediately after storage, they should be kept for a few hours in an area with a temperature of approximately 20°C.

Oxygen, Ozone and Chemical Substances

Appliances that generate ozone must not be placed in the storage area. Combustion gases and vapors, which may generate ozone through photochemical reactions, must also be excluded.

The storage area and its equipment must not contain traces of solvents, lubricants, chemical products, acids, disinfectants, or rubber solutions, as these can affect both the appearance and properties of the tyres.

Storage of Tubes and Valves

Inner tubes supplied in boxes or plastic wrapping should preferably be kept in their original packaging. Alternatively, tubes may be slightly inflated and stored inside a tyre or stacked deflated up to a maximum height of 50 cm on shelving with a solid base.

Ensure that valves do not damage the tube surface under pressure. Tubes should not overlap the edge of the shelf to prevent accidental tearing. Avoid storing tubes on slatted pallets because pressure distribution will be uneven. Inner tubes must not be hung during storage.

Valves should be stored in their packaging in a clean, dry, well-ventilated area.

Glossary

Below is a glossary of commonly used tyre terms to help you better understand tyre construction, performance, and markings.

• Aquatic Planing: The vehicle is mounted on a layer film of water on the road surface and not on the road itself.
• Bead: A multi-layer steel ring that helps to hold the tyre to the rim. This bead ensures adequate contact pressure between the tyre and the rim, the bead ensures air seal.
• Bead Wires: It is a coil of high-strength steel wire treated to improve bonding when encased in a hard rubber “matrix”. The wrap layers rotate around the bead and bond firmly to the frame when the cover cures. The synthetic rubber used to create the pit covers virtually impervious to water and air.
• Casing: Consisting of the layers, the heel area and the straps, this is the skeleton of the deck that sits under the treads and sidewalls.
• Carcass: The rim support structure consists of layers anchored to the bead on one side and running in a radius to the other side and anchored to the bead.
• Covers for All Seasons: Covers designed to be used in all climates throughout the year.
• DOT Marking: A code molded into the sidewall of the deck, which means the deck meets the US Department of Motors and Transportation vehicle safety standards.
• Equipment Original (OE): Tyres selected by a vehicle manufacturer that best match tyre performance to vehicle performance characteristics. Also known as OE.
• Footprint: The area of tyre tread that is in contact with the road surface.
• Inflation: The act of putting air into tyres.
• Inner Liner: The layer of rubber inside a tubeless tyre which stops air leaking out of the tyre during normal use.
• Load Index: Indicated on the Tyre Wall a standardised numerical guide that indicates the maximum weight a tyre can carry at the speed specified by its speed rating under various conditions.
• Mounting: This is the act of putting a tyre on a wheel and ensuring that the assembly is balanced. When you purchase new tyres, they need to be professionally mounted. It is also standard for the tyre dealer to charge a nominal fee for a valve stem.
• Mileage: An indication of the usable life of a tyre. A “high mileage” tyre is typically long-lasting.
• Overall Diameter: The diameter of the inflated tire, without load.
• Overall Width: The distance between the outside of the two sidewalls, including lettering and designs.
• Over-Inflation: Too much air in the tyre, resulting in premature wear in the centre of the tread.
• PSI: Imperial measurement unit for air pressure.
• Rim: The metal edge of the wheel on which the bead is seated supporting the tyre.
• Rim Resistance: The energy required to keep a tyre moving at a constant speed. The lower the rolling resistance the less energy being used to keep the tyre moving.
• Rim Size: The diameter of the rim/wheel (usually measured in inches and also known as the wheel size).
• Rim Width: The Distance between the two opposite inside edges of the rim flanges.
• Rubber Compounds: A combination of raw materials blended according to carefully developed procedures. The rubber compound is specially adapted to the performance required of each type of tyre.
• Shoulder: This is where the sidewall and the tread meet on the tyre.
• Sidewall: This is one of the BEThis refers to the area between the bead and the start of the tread.
• Speed Rating: The standardised index which is used to indicate the maximum speed a tyre can sustain carrying the specified load in the load index under the conditions specified by the tyre manufacturer.
• Tensile Strength: An object’s resistance to stretching or breaking when placed in tension. Steel belts in a tyre are characterized and compared based on their tensile strength.
• Torque: Turning or twisting effort, usually measured in lb-ft or Newton metres.
• Traction: A term used to describe the force of friction between the drive wheel and the road.
• Tread: This is the part of the tire that comes into contact with the road.
• Tread Life: The life of a tire before it is removed from service; mileage.
• Tyre: Also called pneumatic tyre, a precisely engineered assembly of rubber, chemicals, fabric and metal, designed to provide traction, cushion road shock and carry a load under varying conditions.
• Tyre Compound: A “mix” or combination of raw materials used in the manufacture of the rubber compound of the tyre itself. By varying the percentage or the composition of the materials applied, manufacturers can produce different tyres for various purposes and with different performances.
• Tyre Wall:The area on the tyre where information about the tyre is displayed..
• Valves: Allows the tyre to be inflated to the correct pressure. Valves are usually made of rubber, with a metal core assembly with a screw on dust cap. There are 2 standards lengths, short for most alloy wheels and long for steel wheels which have a plastic wheel trim.
• Vulcanization: The irreversible process of heating rubber under pressure to improve its strength and resilience.
• Tire Size (Width, Profile, Load Index, Speed Rating): It is vital that your vehicle has the correct tyre size fitted. You can check what sizes of tyre are suitable for your vehicle in the manufacturer’s handbook but you must ensure that your vehicle currently has these tyres fitted. You can check your tyre size on your tyre wall.