2024 Conference Program

First 2025 announcements expected soon


Day 2: Wednesday, March 20

New York 1 Circular economy and sustainability – chemicals, materials and recycling continued – day 2
09:00 - 17:25

Moderator

Martin von Wolfersdorff
Recovered carbon black expert
Wolfersdorff Consulting Berlin
Germany

Innovation for closed-loop rubber recycling – Life Green Vulcan project

Alessandro Coggi
Strategy advisor
Rubber Conversion
Italy
Within the Life Green Vulcan project, the devulcanization technology developed by Rubber Conversion has been tested in demanding applications like PCR treads (10% de-vulc) and spring pads (20% wt/wt of de-vulc). Performance tests carried out on both products showed values compliant with product specifications despite the high content of devulcanized rubber. The partners on this project are Bridgestone, Fiat Research Center, Stellantis, the University of Trento and Innovando.

What the audience will learn

  • An industrial devulcanization technology for closed-loop recycling
  • Performance test results on new tires and spring pads manufactured with high devulcanized rubber content
  • Low carbon footprint tires and GRG

In-rubber performance of reinforcing sustainable raw materials for tire manufacturing

Klaudia Końska
Junior R&D manager
Contec
Poland
Nicolas Schüwer
R&D manager
Tyre Recycling Solutions
Switzerland
Increasing interest in sustainable raw materials during the last few years led to the implementation of rCB and micronized rubber powder in many rubber applications, as well as in tire manufacturing. Consistency in quality is one of the key pillars of success in the adoption of these in manufacturing, and a challenge for mechanical and chemical recyclers as the feedstock variability is high in the short and long term. Collaboration within the tire manufacturing ecosystem brought possible solutions. A case study of pyrolysis of specific parts of the end-of-life tires will be presented together with in-rubber performance analysis of state-of-the art sustainable raw materials.

What the audience will learn

  • Challenges associated with the pyrolysis of end-of-life tires and the influence of the feedstock on the quality of recovered carbon black
  • Synergy between waterjet milling and pyrolysis for the production of sustainable raw materials for the tire industry
  • Properties and in-rubber performance of rCB obtained from selected tire parts

Safe and sustainable bonding systems for the tire industry

Pierre Cassereau
Head of textile division
ResiCare
France
Francesco Cinelli
Senior sales and technical manager Europe
Zhejiang Hailide New Material Co.
China
Industrial adhesive resins contain petro-sourced compounds, some of which, classified as 'Substance of Very High Concern' as defined by the REACH regulation, require strict precautions to avoid any danger to human health (e.g. formaldehyde, resorcinol, isocyanates). ResiCare, a Michelin Group entity, develops and markets high-performance bonding systems for textile-dipped fabrics in tires, free of formaldehyde and resorcinol. ResiCare's ambition is to open up this innovative technology toward bio-sourcing and to the whole tire industry, paving the way for perennial chemistry and safer products for health and the environment. RFL is not a 'must' anymore in the tire industry. Credible alternatives exist, are deployed, and are available for tire manufacturers to use now.

What the audience will learn

  • Why should you look at RF-free alternatives now? Regulations are moving quickly, especially in Europe; you may want to secure a long-term right to play there
  • How can you access existing credible alternatives? Learn how to prepare for the technological shift
  • When can you operate the change at scale? These alternatives are available and ready to be deployed to create the next generation of fabrics

Sustainable materials for green tire development

K R Krishnan
Senior deputy general manager
Balkrishna Industries Ltd
India
The green tire industry, composed of low-RR tires as well as those emerging from ‘green’ materials, is a fast-growing part of the overall tire industry. The global market for green tires is forecast to increase from an estimated US$129bn in 2022 to US$202bn in 2027. The CAGR for green tires for the report period is 9%. In line with this trend, this technical presentation deals with rice husk silica, bio-plasticizer and compatibilizer to develop green tire compounds.

What the audience will learn

  • Toward more sustainability
  • Electrical vehicles
  • Greenhouse gas emission
  • Use of natural sources
  • High impact of the future passenger tire market in the developing world

Break

New developments in Asahi Kasei’s SSBR

Dr Eshwaran Subramani
Senior technical service engineer
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
Germany
With changes in mobility technologies such as electric vehicles, automated driving, etc, there are also substantial changes in demands for tires. The demands of such tires are quite imperative. To successfully deliver on stringent performance requirements, Asahi Kasei is developing new SSBRs. At the same time, as attention toward environmental sustainability is increasing, the need for sustainable solutions is of the essence. Asahi Kasei’s contributions towards sustainability are highlighted in this presentation.

What the audience will learn

  • SSBR
  • Sustainability
  • New developments
  • Tires

Environmental impact of retread tires: lifecycle assessment methodologies

Tiffany Charbouillot
LCA expert
Michelin
France
For the past 30 years, Michelin has been committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products and services. Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is a tool to evaluate the potential environmental impact. The methodology used to conduct LCA is critical since it could lead to different deductions as to the impacts on the circular economy. This paper will present a case study for tire retreading, highlighting the importance of LCA boundaries to get relevant results. Recommendations will be presented.

What the audience will learn

  • The importance of LCA boundaries
  • A case study for retread tires
  • A case study for retread tires

A new standard for the certification of recycled steel in tire reinforcement

Heiko Isselee
Line owner for steel cord and innovation platform manager for recycled steel
Bekaert
Belgium
Sustainability and circularity are high on the innovation agenda. Currently, a lack of alignment on scrap definitions, or a clear standard on recycled content claims, leads to untransparent claims and even right out greenwashing. Bekaert proposes a new standard, which is transparent and certifiable and applicable to the entire supply chain of steel reinforcements for tires. This standard aims to provide peace of mind to tire makers looking to include recycled content from steel in their claims.

What the audience will learn

  • Alignment of the definition of scrap with international standards
  • Physical segregation versus controlled blending and mass balance as 'true north' for maximum credibility and transparency for recycled content for tire reinforcement
  • Importance of third-party certification in a rapidly evolving market for recycled content
  • Bekaert’s approach to implementing a global certification

Lunch

Moderator

Dr Abilash Nair
Materials development manager
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres Ltd
UK

Compounding with micronized rubber powder – a sustainable approach

Dr Saikat Das Gupta
Chief scientist, senior vice president
Hari Shankar Singhania Elastomer and Tyre Research Institute
India
Sustainable compound design is one of the important critical requirements for the tire industry. Increasing the sustainable materials content in tire compounds is a big challenge as the tire is one of the safety elements of a vehicle. To maintain the performance criteria of tires, researchers are continuously working on suitable means to include sustainable materials as compounding ingredients. One of these sustainable materials is micronized rubber powder produced from end-of-life tires. This research work will present the effect of different grades of micronized rubber powder on the rheological, mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of tire compounds with its usage limit.

What the audience will learn

  • Addressing circularity
  • Reuse of ELT
  • Characteristics of recycled materials
  • Processability with recycled materials
  • Compound properties with recycled materials

Sustainable polyesters equivalent to petro-sourced lead to low LCA recycling

François Bataille
Senior fellow, textile cords and plies
Michelin
France
Sustainable PET must couple recycling or biosource technologies with favorable lifecycle assessment during tire reinforcement use. Today's properties of textiles, from the microstructure to the tire performance, are unchanged by recycling, whether mechanical from clear bottle limited feedstock or chemical from varied origins. The Michelin Group's targets of 40% sustainable materials by 2030 and 100% by 2050 are leading to new technologies, matured by the WHITECYCLE European project led by Michelin.

What the audience will learn

  • Sustainable polyesters meet technical performances of petro-sourced products
  • Next generations will require wider scrap feedstocks
  • WHITECYCLE project tackles accurate and optimized LCA

Optimizing Europe's road quality with recycled rubber asphalt

Stephan Rau
Managing technical director (CTO)
German Rubber Manufacturers Association (wdk)
Germany
For the sustainable transformation of mobility in Europe to succeed, it is not only necessary to switch to e-cars, but also to efficiently rehabilitate the road network. Asphalt modified with tire rubber can make a valuable contribution here. The durable rubber asphalt sustainably improves road quality throughout the EU, keeps raw materials from end-of-life tyres in the recycling loop, and pays off ecologically and economically. A ZIM project group will advance the technology of the future.

What the audience will learn

  • Environmentally compatible recycling of end-of-life tyres into rubber powder
  • Modification of road bitumen and asphalt with recycled rubber powder
  • Ecological and economic advantages of rubber asphalt on Europe's roads
  • Realization of a future-oriented tire recycling economy in Europe

Break

Forging partnerships in the tire value chain for a sustainable future

Pedro Moura Lopes
Chief sustainability officer
Kraton
Netherlands
Achieving the tire industry's sustainability ambitions requires value chain collaboration. Kraton's pragmatically designed strategic roadmap intertwines the company's commitment to sustainability, innovation and advancing the journey toward reducing resource consumption and GHG emissions. The presentation will share the progress, highlight the value chain partnerships, and demonstrate how our collective industry efforts can drive significant change for a sustainable future.

What the audience will learn

  • Value chain partnerships
  • Sustainability roadmap
  • Intertwining sustainability and innovation

Innovative additive solutions for sustainable tire manufacturing

Dr Christian Wahlen
Technology development manager specialty additives
Allnex
Germany
With a strong legacy in reinforcement resins and steel cord-to-rubber adhesion promoter systems, Allnex is committed to replacing chemicals of high concern in tire compounding. After replacing resorcinol in cord adhesion systems, the company's latest breakthrough innovation enables the replacement of cobalt salts, paving the way for a safer and greener tire industry. To go one step beyond, Allnex broadens the current technology as an additive supplier for rubber applications by leveraging its broad material know-how.

What the audience will learn

  • Steel cord-to-rubber adhesion promoter systems
  • Cobalt salt alternatives
  • Replacement of chemicals of high concern in tire manufacturing
  • Sustainable additive developments

How sustainability and performance can go hand in hand

Malte Wohlfahrt
Global R&D director
Synthos
Germany
The tire industry has widely embraced the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, which rely on zero-emission raw materials for successful implementation. For synthetic rubber, investing in low- and zero-carbon energy and feedstocks is key to this transition. At the same time, meeting the requirements of the upcoming Euro 7 legislation without compromising on performance is critical. This paper addresses how sustainability and performance can work in tandem when value chain collaboration and leveraging the appropriate bio-based, renewable and recycled materials are combined with a common goal in mind: 40% sustainable content by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

What the audience will learn

  • The role and significance of net zero feedstocks in synthetic rubber production for tire manufacturing
  • Understanding how carbon-free energy and bio-butadiene enable the production of emission-free synthetic rubber
  • The availability and potential of bio-based, renewable and recycled raw materials in line with the industry's 2030 targets
  • Insights into R&D activities that ensure compliance with the upcoming Euro 7 legislation without sacrificing tire performance
  • A roadmap outlining value chain collaboration strategies to achieve the sustainability milestones set for 2030 and 2050

Sustainable and safe processing aids for silica-filled compounds

Dr Cristian Oprisoni
Head of application development
Lanxess Deutschland GmbH
Germany
Processing aids are indispensable in optimizing the mixing and extrusion of silica-filled compounds, elevating critical attributes such as abrasion and rolling resistance and thereby bolstering the sustainability of the final products. Ensuring the inherent safety of these processing aids is paramount. This paper aims to elucidate strategies for formulating processing aids in a sustainable manner, utilizing high natural-content ingredients, thereby ensuring the utmost safety for everyone involved.

What the audience will learn

  • The composition of well-known processing aids
  • The sustainable formulation of processing aids
  • The advantages of using processing aids in functionalized rubbers

New York 2 Advances and innovations in material and chemical technologies continued – day 2
09:00 - 17:25

Moderator

Dr Thomas Chaussée
Silica R&I manager & global technical marketing manager
Solvay
France

Next-generation high-performance FX S-SBR for the future tire

Thomas Rünzi
Head of butadiene rubbers innovation
Arlanxeo
Germany
Current requirements for tire treads are increasingly focused on improved wear abrasion for environmental reasons and due to high-torque acceleration in electric vehicles. To fulfill these challenging requirements, polymers such as NdBR and functionalized S-SBRs play a crucial role. Besides functionalization technologies to increase the interaction with fillers, branching becomes more important to achieve acceptable processability behavior of the resulting tread compounds. These two types of modification – functionalization and coupling – are competing and need to be balanced to optimize tire performance, customer safety and longevity. Arlanxeo’s new functionalization technology allows for both modifications to occur simultaneously: 1) functionalization for gaining strong interaction with fillers, and 2) exceptionally high coupling to maintain good processability. These two combined modifications offer the tire producer a higher level of freedom regarding the type of silica to be used.

What the audience will learn

  • Functionalized SSBR
  • Low-Tg FX SSBR
  • Highly coupled SSBR
  • Compound processing

Effect of fillers on the thermal-oxidative aging behavior of rubbers

Dr Ulrich Giese
Managing director
German Institute for Rubber Technology
Germany
The long-term stability of rubber products is limited mainly by thermal-oxidative aging processes, which depend on polymer structure and compound ‎ingredients. To optimize the properties of rubber ‎compounds, fillers are necessary. The objective of the study was to get ‎more knowledge about the influence of silica, carbon blacks and CNT on the ‎thermal-oxidative stability and aging mechanisms. Systematic ‎investigations were performed using modern chemical and physical methods.

What the audience will learn

  • Mechanisms of thermal-oxidative aging and influencing parameters
  • Effect of fillers on the kinetics of the aging processes
  • How to quantitatively characterize aging processes in rubbers
  • Accelerating testing methods for aging

Elucidating the impact of functionalized rubber coupled to silica

Marcin Sęk
PhD candidate
Apollo Tyres Global R&D
Netherlands
The present study assesses the impact of pre-modified silica with functionalized S-SBR polymer chains on in-rubber properties of tire tread compounds. Incorporating rubber-modified silica, along with a small amount of covering silane, enhances in-rubber properties, particularly by reducing filler-filler interactions.

What the audience will learn

  • Pre-modification of silica with rubber
  • Role of a covering silane
  • Impact of the system on in-rubber properties

Do silica-filled NR compounds require a stabilizer during mixing?

Ammarin Kraibut
PhD candidate
University of Twente
Netherlands
Results from prior work have illustrated that the final properties of silica-reinforced natural rubber vulcanizates drop for mixing dump temperatures higher than 160°C. This may be attributed to several factors, i.e. degradation of the natural rubber main chains; decomposition of silica-silane-rubber coupling; and/or interference with the silanization reaction by various compounding substances. The present work identifies the crucial reasons for this observation.

What the audience will learn

  • Stabilizer helps to suppress rubber degradation during mixing
  • Stabilizer interferes with the silanization reaction
  • Intricate balance is needed during the mixing of silica/silane-NR compounds

Break

Multivariate approach in compound development by alternative raw materials

Dr Kamyar Alavi
Senior technical advisor
Nynas
Sweden
Striving to reach sustainable development is high on the agenda for the tire industry, as it acknowledges different ways to contribute to sustainability. This presentation will employ a multivariate analysis approach to compound development with bio-based and alternative raw materials. At the same time, it will take a look into other ways of reducing the environmental impact of the industry, such as energy-efficient production and lowered rolling resistance, from a tire oil perspective.

What the audience will learn

  • Non-converntional raw materials
  • Multivariate analysis approach
  • Naphthenic tire oils

Integration of certified and sustainable raw material for tire production

Dr Jan Henke
Director
Meo Carbon Solutions; ISCC
Germany
Tire manufacturers are under pressure to achieve climate neutrality targets. The use of sustainable natural rubber and of recycled raw materials can contribute to these targets. Third-party multistakeholder certification systems can be used to credibly certify the sustainability of rubber plantations, identify raw materials and recycled materials, establish traceability based on specific chain of custody approaches, determine recycling rates and make on- and off-product claims to customers.

What the audience will learn

  • The use of sustainable and recycled materials to achieve company commitments
  • How to prepare for sustainability certification and run mass balance systems
  • How to integrate certified sustainable and recycled shares into existing supply chains

Toward eco-friendly tire tread compounds by using silane-modified palm oil

Dr Chesidi Hayichelaeh
Researcher
Chulalongkorn University
Thailand
This presentation is focused on the use of silane-modified palm oil in silica-reinforced SBR/BR blends for tire treads. The modified oil reduced filler-filler interactions and increased filler-rubber interactions, resulting in superior mechanical properties, when compared to the ones with DAE and TDAE. In addition, tire performances are also improved. This is due to a shielding effect of oil molecules on the silica surface via the silane bridge, leading to good compatibility between the silica and rubber matrix.

What the audience will learn

  • Palm oil can be modified by silane to be used as a rubber process oil
  • Silane-modified palm oil affects filler-rubber interaction
  • Silane-modified palm oil promotes tire performance

Advanced tire reinforcement materials for EV tires

Doğan Sevim
Chief global sales and marketing officer
Kordsa
Türkiye
Hüseyin Ateş
Chief technology officer
Kordsa
Türkiye
The shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) in the automotive industry necessitates the design of tires with improved properties such as higher strength, lower rolling resistance, reduced weight, enhanced durability, increased resistance to abrasion and more sustainable raw materials. In alignment with this trend, Kordsa offers advanced materials for EV-specific tires, supporting the increasing demand for EV products and services. The company's commitment to sustainability strengthens its approach by providing holistic, future-driven mobility solutions. Kordsa places sustainability at the core of its operations and responds to these challenges by offering a wide variety of advanced materials and bespoke services, providing holistic, next-generation solutions to drive the future of mobility. Sustainability and the evolution of EVs are parallel themes that support Kordsa's development of a sustainable product portfolio, furthering the company's commitment to creating environmentally responsible solutions for a changing automotive landscape.

What the audience will learn

  • Electrification trend
  • Requirements of EV tires
  • Reinforcement materials for EV tires

Lunch

Moderator

Dr Ulrich Giese
Managing director
German Institute for Rubber Technology
Germany

Asahi Kasei’s new selectively hydrogenated SBR for 6PPD reduced usage

Dr Daisuke Hayata
Manager
Asahi Kasei Europe GmbH
Germany
Asahi Kasei's project aims to reduce 6PPD in rubber compounds using hydrogenated SBR (HSBR), improving fatigue resistance. HSBR has shown superior ozone resistance and can double fatigue resistance when substituting high-cis BR. A notable use of HSBR is in tire sidewalls, which face UV rays and ozone and demand high resistance. HSBR's resilience could decrease tire replacements from sidewall degradation, promoting sustainability by potentially lengthening the rubber product lifespan.

What the audience will learn

  • HSBR allows for reduced 6PPD additive usage
  • HSBR boosts fatigue resistance
  • HSBR promotes longer rubber lifespan

Bio-based silica dispersion additives for tire tread performance improvement

Dr Andrew Franjesevic
Senior chemist
Ingevity Corporation
USA
Tire manufacturers face increasing standards for performance including rolling resistance as well as sustainability. This study explores the silica dispersion and performance benefits of fatty acid amine adduct chemistry in sSBR tire tread formulas. The results show improved overall silica dispersion as measured by the Payne effect. Additionally, performance benefits were observed for ice traction, wet traction and rolling resistance, with minimal impacts on physical and performance properties.

What the audience will learn

  • Fatty acid amine chemistry design for optimum performance
  • Performance benefits of use of fatty acid amine adducts in tire tread formulas
  • Ingevity's portfolio of bio-based rubber solutions, such as tackifiers and emulsifiers

New functionalized LiBR for enhanced tire compounds

Federico S Grasso
Technical manager - tire
Versalis SpA
Italy
The development of new tire compounds is currently driven by enhanced performance, high fuel efficiency, durability and sustainability concepts. A new-generation fn-LiBR is introduced to provide optimal solutions for enhanced tire applications. Combinations of fn-LiBR with fn-SSBR or NR systems are discussed and results compared to reference Nd-BR. The eco-sustainability of elastomers can be ensured through the mass balance approach, by the adoption of ISCC Plus certified monomers.

What the audience will learn

  • Use of fn-LiBR in low-RR tires
  • Bio-attributed polymers and mass balance approach
  • Suitable polymer combinations for the improvement of tire performance
  • Summer and all-season silica tread recipes

Break

New novel additives greatly improve tire sustainability and performance

Aaron Ryba
Lead applictions development engineer
Momentive Performance Materials
USA
Momentive will present an update of its sustainability roadmap for tire and rubber silanes. The presentation will show the new reduced carbon footprint of its current in-market silanes. Laboratory and road performance tire data will be shared, to show how a new-generation advanced silane can significantly reduce tire use phase-related emissions. Advanced silanes can have a significant impact on most of the tire lifecycle phases and help tire producers achieve their tire sustainability targets.

What the audience will learn

  • Silanes are additives with a significant impact on tire performance
  • Advanced silanes can help reduce the tire footprint
  • Momentive's advanced silanes contain a high percentage of renewable carbon

Solvay silicas combined with advanced silanes to meet EV requirements

Dr Anne-Laure Pinault
R&I and global technical marketing manager
Solvay
France
Since the launch of green tires in the 1990s, Solvay has constantly offered innovative precipitated silica grades to improve the lifecycle assessment (performance and sustainability). To go one step beyond, Solvay specialty silica grades combined with advanced silanes are offering a significant step forward to meet the grip, rolling resistance and wear performance needs of electric vehicles and future regulation (TRWP, CO2 emissions).

What the audience will learn

  • Solvay specialty silicas combined with advanced silane are bringing significative benefits to tire performance
  • The use of Solvay silicas in formulation improves the global LCA of tires
  • Solvay specialty silicas combined with advanced silane are bringing an enhanced solution to meet specific EV needs

Bio-sourced ultra-accelerator Naubard Bio-XL – ideal replacement for DPG?

Joachim Kiesekamp
Senior market development manager – elastomers and rubber
SI Group
Germany
Diphenylguanidine (DPG) has been used for decades as a secondary accelerator, especially in silica-filled tread compounds for 'green' tires. Increasingly, it is coming under regulatory pressure due to its toxicity profile. In a current high-silica formulation, the Naugard Bio-XL ultra-accelerator is shown to be an effective replacement for DPG, improving cure while maintaining critical mechanical and dynamic properties. Naugard Bio-XL is unique in being SVHC-free and offering >85% bio content.

What the audience will learn

  • DPG toxicity profile requires substitution in compounds
  • DPG is a primary extractable when water-leachng tread wear particles
  • Naugard Bio-XL ultra-accelerator offers better scorch/speed of cure balance
  • Naugard Bio-XL maintains critical mechanical and dynamic properties
  • Naugard Bio-XL does not form harmful nitrosamines (per TRGS 552) and has >85% bio content – an ideal fit for sustainable tires

Effect of rCB on the permeation behavior of the halobutyl tire innerliner

Paul Marchant
Senior scientist
Avon Protection
UK
The influence of furnace carbon black content on the barrier performance of halobutyl compounds is well understood. A recent study by the materials innovation group at Avon Protection has shown that the level of improvement through the use of rCB may be enhanced compared to grades of furnace black used in the tire innerliner. Hypotheses for this behavior will be shared and the influence of rCB feedstock type on permeation in optimized formulations will also be presented.

What the audience will learn

  • Effect of rCB in the innerliner
  • Effect on permeation properties
  • Influence of rCB feedstock type
  • Influence of formulation optimization

Casablanca Modeling, simulation, testing and analysis continued - day 2
09:00 - 17:25

Moderator

Dr Keizo Akutagawa
Visiting professor
Queen Mary University of London
UK

Utilization of the solid percolation point for silica in tread compounds

Norbert Kendziorra
Consultant
Elastomer Materials and Statistics
Germany
This paper focuses on designing high-performance silica compounds for tires. The solid percolation point (SPP) of precipitated silica is evaluated for its role in enhancing the wet grip and rolling resistance of rubber compounds. The paper presents a method for measuring the SPP and an adapted receipt tool to aid compound designers. Furthermore, a spatial material model is introduced to draw meaningful conclusions.

What the audience will learn

  • Silica in tread compounds for high grip
  • The solid percolation point of a filler
  • The relevance of the solid percolation point for silica compounds
  • Mechanical characteristics of high filler loading in rubber compounds
  • Simple geometric silica model

Novel methodology for data processing on friction models with validation

Stefano Avolio
PhD candidate
University of Naples Federico II
Italy
Tire grip is dramatically affected, among many other parameters, by the viscoelastic material behavior of the tread compound and road roughness and how these parameters are measured and processed. This presentation proposes a practical and standardized methodology, developed with Pirelli, for acquiring and processing surface data, combined with a tire tread non-destructive viscoelastic characterization technique. The results of the friction models have been validated on data obtained with a new linear friction tester.

What the audience will learn

  • Road roughness
  • Viscoelasticity
  • Friction
  • Experimental testing

A study of the effect of road roughness on cornering stiffness

Marco Furlan
Senior modeling and simulation engineer
Calspan
USA
Measurements from three tires on flat-track and asphalt surfaces reveal lower cornering stiffness on the latter. The reduction in cornering stiffness is not linked to friction but is attributed to the influence of road roughness on the effective shear stiffness of the tread. An advanced brush model is proposed with the tread stiffness depending on the road roughness and the rubber complex moduli. A strong correlation is found between measurements and predictions of reduced stiffness on asphalt.

What the audience will learn

  • The relationship between road roughness and cornering stiffness
  • How the cornering stiffness can be predicted with a brush model
  • How to model the bristle stiffness with different terms including inflation, bending and tread stiffness

Experimental validation of exterior tire noise simulation

Franco Nelson Joseph
NVH simulation and modeling expert
Apollo Tyres Global R&D
Netherlands
The introduction of EVs made the tire the major contributor to vehicle exterior noise. It is crucial to reduce it for the environment and product homologation. Tire noise is a complex phenomenon that involves different mechanisms such as tire impacts, air pumping and horn effect, etc. The challenge always is to model these mechanisms as close to reality as possible to get accurate predictions. This presentation will review simulation validation of tires specifically designed and modeled using numerical methods.

What the audience will learn

  • The noise mechanism
  • Tire modeling and simulation
  • Experimental validation

Break

Testing and simulating tires on a wet surface: a novel approach

Carlo Lugaro
Research engineer
Siemens Digital Industries Software
Netherlands
Jonathan Darab
Operations director
Global Center for Automotive Performance Simulation (GCAPS)
USA
Virtual engineering is vital in automotive development and now requires a wider range of simulations, including non-dry surfaces. Thus, Siemens DISW, together with GCAPS and GM, is developing a novel physics-based wet tire model. Here, wet measurements executed with GCAPS’s wet test rig, with tires supplied by GM, are discussed, and physical trends identified. The wet tire model – an extension of MF-Tyre/MF-Swift – is then shown to replicate measurements, offering a new domain for simulations.

What the audience will learn

  • Why vehicle OEMs want to simulate in wet conditions
  • How you test tires in the wet today
  • How and why tire models should model in wet conditions

Development of ionic network in epoxidized natural rubber for tire application

Arpita Kundu
PhD student
Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research (IPF) Dresden
Germany
In this study, a novel sacrificial network concept based on the reversible association of polymer chains and ionic compounds present in the matrix has been developed that gives natural rubber exceptional self-healing capabilities for innovative and sustainable tire application. The chain length of the diacids has significant impact on the mechanical properties of the rubber. In spite of being more reactive, short chain diacid cannot improve the mechanical strength but the long chain diacids with imidazole exhibit a significant increase in mechanical properties of the rubber due to the ionic crosslinking into the matrix.

What the audience will learn

  • Modification of generic rubber compounds by incorporating rubbers with self-healing capability
  • Effect of different chain length of Di-acid on ionic crosslinking of modified natural rubber
  • Application of rubbers with self-healing capability

Detection of the degradation during silica-silane-NR mixing

Dr Wisut Kaewsakul
Assistant professor
University of Twente
Netherlands
Mixing of silica-filled natural rubber compounds encounters the adverse effects of rubber degradation, and/or the reversions of silica-silane-rubber coupling and sulfide cross-links. To detect these phenomena, compound and vulcanizate properties were analyzed and correlated with the starting molecular characteristics of the materials. Results indicate two major competitive reactions taking place: degradation of the elastomer chains and branch formation during the mixing step.

What the audience will learn

  • During silica-NR mixing, degradation and branch formation in the compound occur
  • Dynamic mechanical analysis with a frequency sweep can detect small changes in molecular chains/networks due to rubber degradation and branching/networking
  • A stabilizer might be required during mixing silica-silane-NR compounds

Lunch

Moderator

Alan Bennetts
Director
Bay Systems
UK

Elucidation of tire tread-generated smear wear properties

Evangelos Koliolios
PhD student
Queen Mary University of London
UK
This presentation explores the microstructure of smear wear generated during the abrasion of tire tread compounds made from either synthetic polyisoprene rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber, reinforced with either carbon black or silica. The study used a range of experimental techniques including gel permeation chromatography, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy on both fresh and aged smear wear to understand their structure and aging mechanisms.

What the audience will learn

  • Smear wear generation during abrasion reduces the tire tread wear rate
  • Different tire tread compound formulations generate smear wear of different mechanical and chemical properties
  • The mechanical and chemical properties of smear wear provide insight into its formation mechanisms and microstructure
  • Elucidating the microstructure and formation mechanisms of smear wear allows us to improve our understanding of tire tread abrasion

Relationship between tread wear and frictional work using FPS abrader

Tomoaki Iwai
Associate professor
Kanazawa University
Japan
A wear experiment of tire tread rubber was conducted using the Field Performance Simulation (FPS) abrader manufactured by Ueshima Seisakusyo by changing the severity. The relationship between frictional work and wear rate was obtained. The normal load varied in 10N, 20N and 40N and the circumferential speed of the rubber specimen was 50, 100, 150 and 200m/min, respectively. The slip speed varied in 1, 10 and 20m/min by changing the slip ratio from 0.5 to 40%. As a result, the relationship between introduced frictional work and wear rate was obtained. The relationship varied as the applied normal load changed.

What the audience will learn

  • The relationship between frictional work and wear rate of tire tread rubber
  • Wear test using the FPS abrader manufactured by Ueshima Seisakusyo
  • Frictional work
  • Normal load change leads to different relationships between frictional work and wear rate
  • The relationship between the coefficient of friction and slip ratio remains the same irrespective of different normal loads

Dixon-Mood 'staircase' fatigue test workflow applied on multi-head test equipment

Philippe van Bogaert
CEO
Bogimac Material Fatigue Testing Equipment
Belgium
In the material labs the tire reinforcement materials are validated for the different failure modes of the tire. Fatigue testing also differentiates the cord materials, constructions, grades and qualities between suppliers. The efficient Dixon-Mood fatigue workflow can also handle modern multi-head testing equipment. On one single 'runout' cycle count value, all tests run in a narrow load-cycles region of 'near-failure' for the highest statistical relevance. The load conditions evolve automatically with further improvements in specimen materials, grades, constructions and qualities. Specimens are all characterized by one quality value, enabling simple overall type and over-time comparison between legacy, new and future grades.

What the audience will learn

  • In the material lab high cycle fatigue testing is needed on tire rubber reinforcement
  • Fatigue tests must be relevant for the failure modes of reinforcement in the tire
  • Defined test load and criteria must evolve with the future improvements in cord materials, grades and constructions
  • For maximum statistical precision, all tests are done in a narrow test region
  • The step-by-step Dixon Mood is adapted for use on modern multi-head fatigue testing equipment

Break

Tire emissions from battery-electric vehicles: wear rates and toxicity

Nick Molden
Founder and CEO
Emissions Analytics
UK
This presentation will bring together original test results from Emissions Analytics on the links between tire mass emissions and toxicity, placed in the context of the latest ‘EV specialist’ tire models that have been brought to market. The headline findings are that the switch to electric vehicles creates a material risk of higher wear and greater toxicity, but this does not have to be the outcome if the industry and regulators establish an effective framework for evaluating tire emissions.

What the audience will learn

  • Variance in tire chemical composition
  • Electric vehicles' environmental impact
  • The need for regulation
  • Laboratory analytical techniques

Physics simulation-based machine learning application for tire innovation

Biswanath Nandi
Industry process experiences senior manager
Dassault Systemes Simulia Corp
USA
This presentation demonstrates building a machine learning application for tire performance prediction. First, high-fidelity simulation results are generated by running a design of experiment with displacement field and contact pressure. Next, the 3D simulation data set is utilized for training a ML model. Supervised learning techniques are used to train the model using a neural network algorithm. Once the trained model is fully validated, a tire designer can use it for tire performance predictions.

What the audience will learn

  • How a ML application can make a tire engineer more productive
  • Basic steps for buliding a ML application
  • The difference between running high-fidelity simulations and a ML-based predictive tool

Using Lissajous curves for dynamic mechanical analysis

Pankaj Yadav
DMA application expert
Metravib
France
The DMA is a non-destructive characterization technique to study the mechanical behavior of a material, especially of tires as a function of strain, stress, frequency and temperature by applying a sinusoidal signal in the form of stress or strain. When presenting stress as a function of strain, a loop called the Lissajous curve can be obtained. This approach could be used to calculate the viscoelastic properties using theoretical calculations and then validate the results obtained from the DMA.

What the audience will learn

  • Capabilities of dynamic mechanical analysis
  • Temporal signal storage features
  • Validation of material properties

Enhancing simulation realism from real condition tire direct measurements

Carlos Nerini
Tire and vehicle dynamics consultant
CSN Vehicle Dynamics Consulting
Italy
Direct measurements of tire behavior in real operating conditions are rarely performed due to many practical limitations. The presentation reveals a new technology for instantaneous wheel kinematics measurement that overcomes critical limitations of real condition testing. It is an enabling solution created to take simulation to the next level of realism. Applications concerning true grip at contact patch, real time suspension KnC that includes tire mechanics and vehicle dynamics analysis will be shown.

What the audience will learn

  • Why test tires in real condition?
  • Technical limitations of real-condition tire measurement
  • A critical enabling solution for previous limitations
  • Applications to enhance simulation realism
  • Applications to enhance simulation realism at tire and vehicle system levels

Five Continents Smart tires – innovation and ecosystem - day 2
09:00 - 17:25

Moderator

Riccardo Giovannotti
Secretary general
Global Data Service Organisation for tyres and automotive components (GDSO)
Belgium

Active tread: Sumitomo’s innovative concept for the future mobile society

Dr Toshio Tada
Office head, new generation materials R&D office
Sumitomo Rubber Industries
Japan
SRI will launch the first Active Tread product line, a new technology designed for an autonomous vehicle society and promoting the establishment of a sustainable society. SRI will contribute to ensuring safety in the autonomous vehicle society with its Active Tread compounds. These compounds enable the physical properties to actively switch to the optimized one in any weather condition. The switchable performance makes it possible to eliminate the concept of border in the different tire categories.

What the audience will learn

  • The smart tire concept
  • Active tread
  • Sustainable tires

Tire predictive maintenance solutions

Dr Jeremy Vayssettes
Development program leader for connected mobility
Michelin
France
Hélène Bathias
Initiative leader for connected offers
Michelin
France
To provide services that satisfy car makers' expectations, a complete offer around algorithms based on vehicle data has been developed by Michelin. The focus of this presentation is on algorithms for tire predictive maintenance and related use cases focused on car makers’ needs. The algorithms developed by Michelin are sensorless, tire brand agnostic and easy to deploy. The presentation will show the advantages of the Michelin approach compared to the state-of-the-art and illustrate its accuracy with results.

What the audience will learn

  • A solution to predict tire end of life
  • Use case for tire predictive maintenance
  • Deployment constraints and learnings

GDSO – beyond electronic tire identification

Riccardo Giovannotti
Secretary general
Global Data Service Organisation for tyres and automotive components (GDSO)
Belgium
The tire industry is undergoing a major transformation toward the digitalization of tires’ identity and data transfer. GDSO is leading the process with its global footprint that is strengthened by a number of key elements: new tire manufacturers joining the organization, continuous working to enable data-driven use cases, positioning itself as a data space among the top players, collaborating with other automotive organizations and developing a new service that will be announced during the conference. This new service will support the circular economy through data sharing, allowing transparency and traceability along the tire's life (cradle to grave).

What the audience will learn

Interoperability for lifecycle management and maintenance through GS1 standards

Diana de Bernardy
Sector manager circularity and sustainability
GS1 France
France
Henk-Jan Timmerman
Program and operations director
GS1 in Europe
Belgium
GS1 in Europe is a not-for profit standardisation organisation that operates worldwide in 49 different countries. Regulations are a main driver for GS1 in Europe activities and sustainability and circularity are a priority. In the presentation we will link our standards to the tire industry and will give a practical example of how a digital product passport can be setup throughout the lifecycle of the tire. The use of RFID technology, GS1 identifiers and serialisation can help to improve the circularity of the tire industry in Europe.

What the audience will learn

  • Learn more about GS1 as an organisation and what GS1 standards are about
  • Understand the advantage of interoperability and a common language within technical industries and the tire-ecosystem
  • Connect and shape the future of the digital product passport as part of the Eco-design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Break

The importance of tire electronic data as an enabler of TaaS deployment and regulatory compliance

Dr Adam McCarthy
Secretary general
European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA)
Belgium
The presentation will provide an overview of the European regulatory landscape, ongoing developments, compliance challenges and some examples of how TaaS can support the regulatory environment.

What the audience will learn

  • Legislation and Regulation
  • TaaS
  • Access to In-Vehicle Data
  • Circularity

#ShiftHappens – intelligent connected tires as a game-changer

Kai Hackbarth
Head of products and solutions, Europe
Bosch Global Software Technologies GmbH
Germany
Championing the idea of making tires talk. Tires are a mission-critical asset in the everyday life of passenger cars, trucks, heavy machinery, buses and agriculture. If tires stop, the whole operation stops. And yet, tires are still perceived as dumb rubber. So what if tires and roads could talk? What stories would they tell?

What the audience will learn

  • Managing data as an asset
  • #ShiftHappens – how to adjust your business models to compete in the intelligent tires space
  • Why connected tires will be a large-scale ecosystem instead of a closed-loop product

TMS: a step forward to the future heavy vehicles mobility

Fabio Montanaro
R&D, head of product innovation
Prometeon Tyre Group
Italy
Ciro Esposito
Product innovation coordinator
Prometeon Tyre Group
Italy
The intelligent connected tire, integrated into a TMS system, allows direct communication between the tire and the vehicle, providing the correct inflated pressure value compensated by the real tire temperature. The system provides accurate warnings both to the driver and to the fleet manager, improving the features of a standard TPMS system. In the commercial logistics business, reduction of fuel/energy consumption and predictive maintenance are key elements in improving the sustainability and cost optimization of a fleet. The tire-mounted system, by maintaining constant monitoring of vehicle performance, improves the efficiency and environmental impact of a fleet.

What the audience will learn

  • TMS: description of a real-time system and interface
  • Truck and bus fleet requirements for safety and maintenance
  • TPMS and TMS system comparison: features and benefits
  • Additional features coming from tire data acquisition and analysis
  • Further and future TMS implementation

Lunch

Moderator

David Shaw
CEO
Tire Industry Research
UK

Virtual sensors and smart tires: enemies or allies?

Dr Flavio Farroni
CEO and co-founder
MegaRide
Italy
Dr Aleksandr Sakhnevych
CTO
Megaride
Italy
Real-time onboard algorithms, nowadays often defined as “virtual sensors”, are changing the perspectives of automotive industry, impacting on hardware solutions as the sensored, or “smart”, tires. How such two technologies can interact? Are virtual sensors going to represent a dematerialized version of actual sensors, with advantages in terms of costs and reliability? Will the smart tires finally make the difference, for their unbeatable strength to take measurements from a privileged point of view, located at the ground level? Or a proper dialogue between both technologies, one improving each other in both vehicle development and mobility, can be the solution?

What the audience will learn

  • What are the so called 'virtual sensors'?
  • How can virtual sensors interact with smart tires?
  • How smart tires measurements and predictions can improve coupling them to real time onboard algorithms

How the tire business can create value surfing the macro-trends affecting mobility

Eduardo Minardi
Founder
Minardi Global
UK
There are four basic mega-trends affecting mobility and only a few tire players trying to capitalize on them. With a focus on digital ecosystems, Eduardo will share how data generated downstream can retrofit tire development to improve performance and create value for individuals, fleets and society. This will be followed by three speakers presenting specific solutions to create and capture value.

What the audience will learn

  • Understand the key mega-trends affecting mobility and the tire industry until 2030
  • Visualize how the leading tire companies are responding to those challenges and moving into advanced and sustainable mobility solutions
  • The role of digital ecosystems in the upstream and downstream, and how they will accelerate and improve tire development and sales

New generation tire monitoring system for smart tire integration into ADAS

Aleksandr Timofeev
CEO
PolyN Technology
Israel
Tire sensors can generate huge volumes of raw data. The challenge for a systems designer is whether to process that data locally and send intelligence-rich data up to the cloud, or to send all the data to the cloud for subsequent processing. The latter choice requires substantial bandwidth, which can be costly and limit performance in regions where connectivity is low. Processing data locally is the preferred option but that needs specific solutions. PolyN is working with top-name tire makers to build systems that can extract intelligence from the raw data before sending it to the cloud.

What the audience will learn

  • Utilizing accelerometer-derived tire vibration data for road condition monitoring via neural networks
  • Neuromorphic Front-End concept of vibration data preprocessing on-device
  • Ultra-low-power consumption and 4000-fold data volume reduction enable easy integration with standard TPMS.

Break

Advanced software solutions for fleet optimization

Angus Webb
Founder and CEO
Dynamon
UK
There is a growing demand for advanced optimization software solutions for the commercial transportation industry. In response to that, Dynamon developed solutions such as Zero, to optimize the transition from ICE to EVs, and Tire Analytics, which is intended to reduce fleets' total cost of ownership, identifying the costs and environmental impact associated with the different tire choices for each specific service. Angus will explain how to generate extraordinary benefits for fleets and allow tire companies to use valuable insights for tire development.

What the audience will learn

  • The impact of fleet energy costs on tire TCO
  • Introducing Dynamon’s Tyre Analytics to analyze cost and CO2 savings from low rolling resistance tires
  • Case studies of significant cost savings from optimizing tire choice
  • How tire choice affects EV TCO, range and public charging wait times

Sensing the road ahead: advancements in intelligent tire technology

Keith Ferry
CEO
Cerebrum Sensor Technologies
USA
Smart tires are a transformative development in the automotive industry, offering real-time monitoring and data-driven insights into tire health and performance well beyond traditional TPMS. By tracking assets, improving safety, extending tire lifespan and enhancing overall vehicle efficiency, intelligent tire solutions play a crucial role in modernizing tires and optimizing the driving experience. In this session, we'll dive into the benefits, differentiators and roadmap of intelligent tire technology.

What the audience will learn

  • An introduction to intelligent tire technology and the overwhelming benefits of achieving a globally connected network of tire insights
  • Trends and practical examples (benefits and drawbacks) of IoT technologies being used to advance the industry
  • Considerations surrounding data management and standardization, compliance, security and automation
  • Elaboration of Cerebrum's solutions, market adoption and high-level roadmap.

Panel Discussion - Building a digital world for tires

Kanwar Bharat Singh
Program manager, algorithms and software engineering
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
USA
Angus Webb
Founder and CEO
Dynamon
UK
Aleksandr Timofeev
CEO
PolyN Technology
Israel
Keith Ferry
CEO
Cerebrum Sensor Technologies
USA
Moderator:
David Shaw, CEO, Tire Industry Research, UK

London Physical testing and quality assurance
09:00 - 15:15

Moderator

Oliver Scholz
Deputy head of department
Fraunhofer Institute EZRT
Germany

Winter traction testing at Leibniz University, Hannover

Michael Hindemith
Research engineer
Institute of Dynamics and Vibration Research, Leibniz University, Hannover
Germany
The university recently developed a variety of test methodologies for testing and analyzing tread-road contact in winter conditions. Under defined environmental and operating conditions the presentation assesses the performance of tire tread blocks (with and without pattern/studs) on smooth and rough ice as well as on black ice on asphalt roads. Snow friction mechanisms on everything from hard-packed snow to powder snow and even slush are analyzed in the snow lab. Leibniz University has developed means of snow and slush characterization for transferring these results to outdoors, as well as simulations to get further insights into winter friction mechanisms.

What the audience will learn

  • Research results in the field of contact mechanics and elastomer friction
  • Test methods development in the field of contact mechanics
  • Experimental investigation of the friction of tire tread blocks on snow

Creating a universal tire geometry testing solution

Oliver Scholz
Deputy head of department
Fraunhofer Institute EZRT
Germany
TireChecker introduced laser sheet-of-light technology into tire geometry testing 25 years ago. Over this time many customers have chosen the solution for integration into their machinery, necessitating a variety of custom machine communication approaches. Similarly, the varying architectures of the testing machines required the integration of many different sensor systems. We present the unique challenges associated with the creation of a universal testing system and our approaches to solving them.

What the audience will learn

  • Challenges of creating a universal testing system
  • Retrofitting situation versus new machine solution
  • Simple versus complex automation interfacing
  • Challenges of serving a global client base

Back-to-back testing of tires

Kapil Ved
Materials manager
Mahindra & Mahindra
India
We are developing new tires for existing models and also for upcoming new models being launched by OEMs. In the sub-one-ton and above-one-ton of CV range of vehicles there is no need to do ADT, GHD and all the tests as per Indian ARAI standards but we can do the testing of the same on static back-to-back tire testing machines, which will save man hours and fossil fuel.

What the audience will learn

  • How to implement new tires in less time. Reduction in lead time
  • Financial savings because diesel and petrol testing on the road is eliminated
  • Natural waste reduction and Indian OEMs have started the installation and commissioning of this machine in R&D

Friction and wear performance of tire compounds using dynamic abrasion

Eathan Plaschka
PhD candidate
Queen Mary University of London
UK
This study outlines a novel method of evaluating the friction and wear characteristics of two styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) tire tread compounds. Testing was carried out using an in-house testing rig with a dynamic abrasion process under a variety of conditions. The relationship between the thermo-mechanical deformation during abrasion is examined in detail to outline a robust method for evaluating compound performance.

What the audience will learn

  • Tire tread compounds are abraded in continuous and discontinuous manners to showcase the importance of the abrasion test method
  • Using different abrasion test methods can result in different friction and wear properties between compounds
  • Transitions between wear mechanisms depend on the sliding direction, countersurface sharpness, load and temperature

Break

Optical tire inspection and quality control with AI-based software

Frank Weber
Expert for automation and industrial image recognition
PSI FLS Fuzzy Logik & Neuro Systeme GmbH
Germany
Qualicision is an AI-based solution for optical quality control of tires, recognizing color dots and labels on sidewalls, color stripes on treads, tread profiles and DOT positions. The systems can be trained in a process based upon quantitative and qualitative test piece parameters while its knowledge and reference databases are enlarged by entering optical images of new test pieces. The solution performs a constant product quality check of the outgoing wheel to prevent probable material mix-ups.

What the audience will learn

  • How AI enables the recognition of tire quality features
  • How AI improves the quality check of outgoing wheels
  • How AI supports automatic learning

Next-level automatic tire x-ray inspection through AI/deep learning

Dr Shaun Immel
Division VP of technology/R&D
Micro-Poise Measurement Systems, Ametek
USA
This presentation will cover recent technical enhancements and performance improvements in automatic defect recognition (ADR) of tire x-ray images. Tire inspection and classification performance improvements have now been achieved through the addition of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning software methodologies. Numerous financial advantages achieved using computer-automated x-ray image inspection, like increased throughput and reduced detection errors, will also be reviewed.

What the audience will learn

  • The recent tire classification enhancements now achievable through the addition of an AI/deep learning layer to automatic defect recognition (ADR) of x-ray images
  • New tire x-ray image defect detection methodologies available in ADR
  • Interior tire structure measurement possibilities resulting from new ADR measurement tools
  • Dramatic reductions achievable in x-ray tire recipe setup time resulting from novel calibration technology
  • Throughput improvements possible through computer-automated tire x-ray image inspection

Retreaded truck tire test – breakthrough for NR silica/silane systems

Andre Wehmeier
Head of rubber technology
Evonik Operations GmbH
Germany
Evonik has a wealth of experience in compounding natural rubber and silica/silane systems. An experimental field test was performed to investigate the performance of pure silica/silane technology versus N234-reinforced NR-based truck tire treads on the drive axles. The benefits in wet and rolling resistance performance with silica/silane systems were achieved without detriment to the abrasion resistance, which is on the same level as the carbon black reference – a breakthrough.

What the audience will learn

  • Compounding of silica/silane systems in NR compounds
  • Truck tire experimental field test results
  • Rolling resistance of silica/silane in NR is superior to N234
  • Wet grip of silica/silane in NR is superior to N234
  • Abrasion resistance of silica/silane in NR is on the same level as N234

Lunch

Moderator

Kathryn Houk
Industry leader tire and rubber
Rockwell Automation
USA

Tire inspection software innovation: AI contribution

Liasse Birck Lopes
Software engineer
CyXplus
France
CyXplus has enhanced automatic defect recognition (ADR) software image processing capabilities by developing an artificial intelligence ADR solution able to find complex defects on complex areas of x-ray tire images. Boasting a higher detection rate, it was tested on different machines in several leading clients' production sites. To ensure autonomy, this new software allows clients to create new tire-specific neural networks, even when the user does not have any previous knowledge of AI.

What the audience will learn

  • Tire inspection technology
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Automatic defect recognition
  • AI training
  • X-ray images

Laser uniformity optimization case study: precise, efficient and sustainable

Florian Schreiber
Vice president sales
4JET Technologies GmbH
Germany
Tire uniformity is the main criterion for tire quality. End users and OE customers attach great importance to performance and uniformity. The presentation explains the functional principle and compares traditional grinding processes. The results of laser processing last the whole tire lifetime, offering a superior solution compared to grinding. Even considering the cost factor, laser proves to be the better technology. Additionally, the surface quality of laser processing meets OEM standards. A case study including RFV and harmonics (before/after treatment) supports these findings and explains which parameters need to be addressed with priority to achieve the best improvement on the respective tires.

What the audience will learn

  • Tire quality significance
  • Laser uniformity correction
  • Invisible enhancements

Enhancing tire cord production with automated quality inspection systems

Ingo Kiefer
General manager - global sales, fabric inspection systems
Uster Technologies
Switzerland
Discover the impact of Uster fabric inspection systems in tire cord production. These systems are adaptable at different process stages, including yarn dipping, on-loom inspection and cord dipping lines. Enhanced by Uster Fabriq Assistant, the central quality control platform, they optimize the entire quality control process. Automated systems ensure safety, efficiency and excellence. Detecting defects and inconsistencies at various stages enhances safety by reducing accidents and product failures. Efficiency is boosted by rapid, consistent inspections, enabling 24/7 operation. Quality data generated is the key to continuous process improvement, waste reduction and superior quality output.

What the audience will learn

  • Learn how Uster fabric inspection systems adapt to different stages of tire cord production, enhancing quality control
  • Understand the role of Uster Fabriq Assistant in optimizing quality control processes for superior results
  • Discover how automated systems improve safety, efficiency and operational excellence by detecting defects and inconsistencies
  • Explore the pivotal role of quality data in continuous improvement, waste reduction and the production of high-performance tire cords
  • Gain insights into the necessity of embracing Uster's technologies for competitiveness and the delivery of high-quality, high-performance tire cords

Break

London Advances in manufacturing, including AI, Industry 4.0 and sustainability continued - day 2
15:45 - 17:25

Moderator

Kathryn Houk
Industry leader tire and rubber
Rockwell Automation
USA

Quality data exchange between SIS Vision and MES

Philipp Rott
Product manager
Roland Electronic
Germany
The presentation will discuss quality monitoring at steel cord-cutting lines with the SIS Vision. With a high-resolution sensor, wire distances, offset and EPDM/EPI are reliably monitored at full production speed. After the steel cord is analyzed, it is visualized in an easy-to-use interface, similar to an x-ray image. The latest innovation is an independent server solution, which records and provides detailed data to customer MES. With the smart-archive functionality, it provides maximum data at minimum storage.

What the audience will learn

  • Functionality and benefit of the independent server solution
  • Possible recording types and use cases to improve the production process
  • Smart-archive configuration and implementation into company MES
  • Best-practice approaches and ideas for using the data

Advanced condition monitoring for large tire equipment

Bill Henderson
Head, USA tire industry
Siemens Industry
USA
With standard sensors, hardware and software, you can understand the health of large mechanical machinery. By tracking vibration and correlating that data with VFD data and temp data, an understanding of the state of the machinery becomes a valuable tool for assessing preventative maintenance planning and measuring. With the connection to a global supervisory predictive maintenance tool leveraging artificial intelligence with machine learning, you can now extend the life of your equipment.

What the audience will learn

  • Machine health analysis
  • Predictive maintenance solutions
  • Improving machine life

Designing a digital architecture to enhance tire manufacturing efficiency

Paolo Gamarino
Industry manager
SMC Corporation
Italy
The presentation will describe, with practical examples, how the most advanced automation technologies assist tire manufacturers and their machine builders to digitalize compressed air installations, enhance maintenance capabilities, reduce labor and wiring time, save energy and improve sustainability.

What the audience will learn

  • Automation technology innovations
  • Digitalization
  • Sustainability/energy efficiency
  • Condition-based maintenance
  • Wireless systems

Factory automation of tire production is delivering results

Andreas Morbitzer
Head of sales – central Germany factory automation
Pepperl+Fuchs Vertrieb Deutschland GmbH
Germany
Complete data integration in tire production is now possible due to intelligent sensors and infrastructures. Leading tire makers are moving to a new level of factory automation. Lifecycle management of their products via RFID, plant-wide condition monitoring of components and assets as well as seamless Industry 4.0 processes are becoming standard. The competitiveness of tire production is increasing based on new smart field devices such as proximity switches, photoelectric sensors and identification systems in combination with IO-Link, OPC UA or MQTT. This presentation includes conceptual solutions and practical tire industry success stories.

What the audience will learn

  • The state-of-the-art technologies for sensing, transmitting and integrating critical production data
  • How to increase traceability of automated material flow and seamless tire identification along the entire product lifecycle
  • The results using data across all information levels