| contents page | news | events | advertisers’ index | contact |
Metal AM in the tyre industry
Metal Additive Manufacturing gains ground in the tyre industry The global tyre industry and its supply chain met in Hannover, Germany, from February 14-16 for the Tire Technology Expo 2017. This exhibition and accompanying technical conference was held at the Hannover Messe for the second time and attracted 280 exhibitors and close to 5000 international visitors. Dr Georg Schlieper visited the exhibition on behalf of Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine and reports on the growing use of Additive Manufacturing in the tyre industry.
Some ten years ago leading French tyre manufacturer Michelin began to investigate metal AM technology for the production of tyre moulds. These preliminary tests were so successful that in September 2015 the Michelin Group announced the formation of a 50/50 joint venture with the Fives Group, also based in France, for the development of industrial metal Additive Manufacturing machines. It was stated at the time of the announcement that the new company, based in Clermont-Ferrand, France, was expected to “produce, on an industrial scale, mould parts that are unachievable using traditional means of production.” These developments were of course noted by manufacturers of tyre moulds, the majority of whom relied upon conventional manufacturing processes. As a result, many in the industry were drawn to investigate AM technology further, carrying out R&D activities in collaboration with manufacturers of metal AM systems. Some of these mould manufacturers spoke about their experience with Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine at the exhibition and
Vol. 3 No. 2 © 2017 Inovar Communications Ltd
some even exhibited tyre moulds featuring additively manufactured inserts. Two manufacturers of AM production equipment, EOS GmbH and SLM Solutions Group AG, were also represented at the show. The Additive Manufacturing technology currently applied by these companies is metal Powder Bed Fusion using laser beams.
Tyres for cars, motorcycles, trucks and agricultural vehicles are produced by what is a highly specialised industry sector. The last step in the production of tyres is the vulcanisation of the tyre in a closed mould. In this process, the rubber material of the tyre is cured and converted into an elastomer at elevated temperatures, with the mould giving the tyre its
Fig. 1 The Michelin Alpin 5 winter passenger car tyre is siped to full tread depth, to better preserve the tyre’s winter performance during the whole life of the tyre (Courtesy Michelin)
Metal Additive Manufacturing | Summer 2017
81