FE Simulation of Truck Tire Manufacturing Process

Abstract

Pneumatic Tires are one of the most important components in automobiles whether in aviation, 2/3/4 wheels drive or industrial applications. The tire is a complex assembly of numerous products which are assembled on a drum and then cured in a press under heat and pressure. Michelin being one of the premium tire manufacturing company, emphasize on use of latest technology at every stage of Tire manufacturing. The complex tire manufacturing process, from design conception till final assembly is currently simulated at Michelin using inhouse CAD/FEA simulation software. Use of FEA tools in manufacturing process simulation allows engineer to iterate over different mixes and evolving designs. In current scope, pre-defined FE template is developed for Michelin to simulate physical truck tire manufacturing process to allows user to perform automated FE iterations on iterative designs, materials etc improving the result output and increasing the productivity of user. Truck tire manufacturing process from green tire to cured tire is simulated as large displacement, 2d axisymmetric FE analysis with viscous or viscoelastic materials. Results of FE simulation are compared with that of Tire architect post manufacturing to marks effectiveness of FE analysis.