4Jet debuts touchless post-processing solution

LUC is the latest product from German laser systems specialist 4Jet Group. Informing tyre makers of this new solution that replaces grinding-based mechanical reworking, 4Jet states that LUC utilises “digital, precise and touchless” post-processing to improve the uniformity of tyre beads.

Explaining the need for a product such as LUC, 4Jet notes that production tolerances lead to variations in tyre radial force. If tolerance values are exceeded, a tyre can sometimes no longer be supplied as original equipment and must be reworked or even destroyed.

Removal without blemishes

At present, tyre makers typically employ mechanical processes to correct any such issue and remove material from the tyre bead or tread. The machinery used to perform this requires comparatively high maintenance and neither it nor the process itself is very precise. Furthermore, the tyre’s appearance afterwards often does not meet OEM aftermarket requirements or renders it unsellable in the aftermarket.

The new solution from 4Jet can process a tyre without touching it and leaves no visible marks on the bead. A maintenance-free laser vaporises the excess material and locally extracts it. The laser process operates quietly, dry and without dust.

LUC systems typically remove material relative to the high point of the first harmonic radial force variation. The systems can process different tyre dimensions in the passenger car segment without retooling in batch size 1. Both bead areas are processed in one set-up.

Cycle times depend on tyre dimension and the volume of material to be removed from the bead. LUC operates fully automatically and, due to a compact design, can be integrated into the conveyor system within a tyre plant’s final finish.

No touching up needed

Areas of the tyre that have been processed look no different to the surrounding surface, adds 4Jet. Paint must no longer be applied to hide grinding marks or to restore colour coding on the tread.

The manufacturer shares that the system’s Core4 software “allows convenient recipe creation and parameterisation, integration with belt interfaces and MES systems,” and has modules for analysis, remote maintenance and service. The handling components are based on the 4Jet solutions for tyre marking and inner tyre cleaning that have been in 24/7 operation with manufacturers for years.