Marco Ruffini

PhD student

Marco Ruffini is a vehicle dynamics engineer with an MSc in mechanical engineering for road vehicle design and production. Currently pursuing a PhD in industrial engineering, his research focuses on optimizing tire curing and manufacturing processes. He explores innovative methods to improve the curing phase, enhancing temperature control and efficiency. Additionally, he develops models to predict and enhance tire behavior, focusing on durability, rolling resistance and tire/road interaction. His work aims to advance tire production technologies, increase manufacturing efficiency and improve tire performance, contributing to more sustainable practices and a better driving experience for all vehicle types.

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Presentation

Real-time curing monitoring to improve efficiency and quality in manufacturing

The right curing process is critical in tire manufacturing, ensuring the desired properties by controlling temperature and time. Due to rubber’s low thermal diffusivity, each tire layer experiences different temperature histories, leading to non-uniform curing levels among tire zones. This research integrates a physical thermal model with a curing kinetic equation, offering capabilities for both R&D and production. In R&D, the model optimizes plates and bladder temperatures, curing times and compound selection. In production, it raises the number of tires manufactured by reducing curing time and monitors curing levels in real time to prevent overcuring or undercuring, ensuring consistent tire quality.