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Reifen Muller
labour and material costs per retreaded tyre.
As the operator does not have to fill the skives of a buffed tyre before the cushion gum is applied on the casing, considerable time savings are able to be achieved. Moreover, strip cushion gum is less expensive to produce than calendered sheet cushion gum. In addition, the high automation level has resulted in less variation in the retreaded tyres produced.
Developments in curing equipment have been relatively slow moving but an example of one of the labour and money saving improvements made within this sector is the Italian manufacturer Cima Impianti who recently introduced self- lubricating materials that eliminate the need for centralized lubrication thereby eliminating the use of grease, which helps eliminate contaminant saving time and money.
Accessory manufacturers have been particularly active in introducing new products to help improve the efficiency of retread shops, but equally important has been their efforts to educate retreaders about how they can best optimise envelope and blade life to reduce costs and improve efficiency in the factory, particularly at conferences such as this and at exhibitions around the world. In terms of product developments, a number of product range upgrades and innovations have been introduced to help improve efficiency.
Italian envelope manufacturer MAE’s developments include the further expansion of the company’s compression moulded ST line of envelopes.
In particular, the company has achieved improvements in compounds to achieve improved stability, the ability to keep shape for longer as well as a better performance and longer life. Moulds have also been re- engineered in order to achieve perfect fitment.
Further progress is also being made with the company’s new inner envelope Millennium S, which is growing in demand. This product can achieve a faster vacuum because of its higher sidewall flap and better overall performance due to reinforcements in the bead. MAE’s competitor, Robbins, meanwhile, has also introduced a number of product enhancements aimed at saving time and money in labour.
For instance, the company has teflon-coated its outside envelopes which made them less susceptible to rubber sticking to them. It also results in less envelope lube being needed during the life of the envelope.
The company also re-designed the valve on envelopes for Bandag dealers. The new valve allows for better airflow and is a 1-piece design.
This will result in quicker vacuums being pulled and fewer issues. Robbins also started shipping some envelopes with the rubber wick pad pre-installed under the valve. This saves time in the retread shop and help ensure proper positioning of the wick pad.
And finally, the company also introduced its new
patent-pending Accu-Fit Sealing Ring system. This new 2-piece design starts with a premium rubber compound which will not get hard and crack during use. In addition, the wear-part of the sealing ring can be replaced multiple times during the life of the sealing ring, resulting in significant savings for the end-user, both in terms of money, time, and scrap costs. Finally, just a few quick words about dedicated factory management and software packages for the retreading industry. I don’t want to go into any depth about this subject here, primarily because how to use factory management systems optimally is worthy of a whole presentation in its own right, so if I tried to squeeze this in here in a few minutes, I would not do justice to the subject. There are, of course, many general factor y management systems around, but not that many that are specially designed for retreaders. Ones that are include Treadware and MAM Software’s VAST Retread Package in the US as well as the Brazilian company Budini Inc. The image here is the of the Australian company VMC’s enTIRE Retread Management package in operation.
Suffice to say, the comprehensive tracking of retreads through the factory process using such a package and the comprehensive analysis of the data collected by such systems, is essential to optimise cost efficiency in the retread plant. No retread plant serious about optimising product quality and cost-efficiency
should be without such a system.
So, let us conclude by revisiting the key points I’ve made during my presentation.
Firstly, with respect to the theme of this conference “Better, Faster, Cheaper,” by all means, let us produce better products, let us produce them faster, so long as quality is not impaired, but let us not talk about “Cheaper”. “Cheap” is inextricably linked with poor quality, so let us focus on cost efficiency instead and avoid a race to the bottom.
Secondly, the industr y is faced by an increasingly challenging environment like never before. No longer can retreaders simply rely on being cheaper to compete. Perceived value to the customer is much more important and it will be those retreaders who grasp that who will survive and prosper. Success, furthermore will depend not just on price, but on quality and customer service as well as on the ability to spot market niches and act upon opportunities promptly when they arise.
And thirdly, the leading manufacturers of tread rubber, retreading equipment and accessories have invested heavily in technology to help retreaders become better and more cost-efficient. If you are a retreader, and you feel you are dedicated to a future in the retreading you cannot afford to ignore the products and services your suppliers are now providing. If you invest in them, they will invest in you.
VMC’s retread management software in operation
22 Retreading Business
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