More and more machinery manufacturers are currently facing customer demands to streamline the technical support of their equipment. Despite the possibilities of local service in each country, the speed of response and customer support is a key factor, especially for machinery that is defined as strategic. Also, our equipment is classified as strategic in production facilities due to their high productivity and thus the need for a small number. We are fully aware of this fact and come up with a solution to support our customers with the Augmented assistance programme. With this solution, we try to bring the best solutions and develop our customer service module. In cooperation with external partners, our engineers have prepared a product that will enable the production plant to connect online between the manufacturer, specialists, and other experts in the online space. The advantage of this service product is the possibility of online image sharing and meeting between participants and thus instruct the end customer to correct the device's condition. At the same time, it is possible to see the result of the service immediately. An alternative option, as the result of increasing production variability, is augmented reality (AR) as a form of employee education in interactive training. AR is a unique tool for training and integrating new employees.

On the other hand, it provides a unique tool for overcoming and solving the so-called generational exchange (efficient and effective transfer of many years of experience in training). This type of support brings the end user a benefit in the form of a quick response and, by its nature, can be used for all types of VIPO devices anywhere in the world. All these services become an integral part of the offered equipment and respond to the latest trends in the tyre industry, including IoT, predictive maintenance and analytics (using neural networks and AI).

The production trend of a wide portfolio of products fundamentally affects the performance and productivity of production equipment, not only in the field of tyres. Bead winding machines also face this challenge in semi-product material preparation, where the product portfolio has expanded significantly in recent years. We are aware of this fact in VIPO, and our goal is to dramatically reduce the downtime when changing production, which will create space for increasing the production of equipment. For this reason, we have identified the most significant effects of downtime and we try to eliminate them with new technical solutions on our devices by applying R&D activities. One of them is the automatic adjustment of the manipulator for removing beads from the mould according to the type of product produced. Selecting a recipe will automatically set the manipulator on either a Single or Multi Bead winding machine, which will significantly save the time of setting up the machine when changing production. Additionally, seemingly routine procedures are revised through SMED and Poka-yoke approaches, considering ergonomic principles when replacing individual tools of production equipment. By solving this challenge, we managed to eliminate the necessary setup time by the operator significantly and, in the long run, increase machine utilization time, especially with a high frequency of changes in manufactured products.

To ensure consistent production, it is essential to use the right tools for the product. Many times, in production, we encounter an error caused by the human factor. This can cause a manufacturing mismatch or damage the device if the wrong tool is used. At VIPO, we, therefore, designed a system for automatic detection of used tools according to the selected product type on the device. The machine can automatically check whether the used tool is in accordance with the selected product type and thus eliminate any manufacturing error and collision on the machine. With this solution, we prepare our equipment for autonomous adjustment and production without further necessary mechanical changes by the operator when changing production.

The resulting parameters of the final product are fundamentally affected by the identical production process throughout its course. To meet this requirement, it is necessary to ensure its control and evaluation in its sequence of operations. In the field of beads production, several control points monitor the required parameters, such as the temperature of the preheated wire and the geometric dimensions of the coated wire. These parameters are important indicators of the accuracy of the final product and the stability of the production process. The VIPO R&D team, in cooperation with partners, prepared technical solutions that allow you to check these parameters and, in case of a mismatch, notify the operator of the need to react to a change in the machine settings. Online control mechanism and timely intervention in the process will prevent the formation of non-conforming semi-finished product, which has a positive effect on economic indicators of production.

We are grateful to our customers and partners for developing R&D solutions and putting ideas into practice that improve our products and solutions. Through cooperation, we thus achieve a higher technical level of production and the support of our customers. (TT)

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”