Precision Alignment and Geometrical Verification of Tire Building Machines Using Laser Tracker Systems
摘要
This study investigates the geometrical integrity of a tire building machine utilizing a high precision laser tracker coordinate measuring system. In the study, the focus was placed on the front section of the machine, which is critical for the key stages of raw tire production, including materials application, transfer, and shaping. A series of measurements was carried out to assess the co-axiality, parallelism, and positional accuracy of critical components such as drums, transfer rings, and the bead feeder. The main objective was to evaluate the advantages and capabilities of the laser tracker method compared to conventional measurement techniques. The analysis was performed within a unified machine reference system, allowing precise and repeatable evaluation of large machine geometry. The empirical results demonstrate that the laser tracker facilitates autonomous verification of geometrical parameters without intermediate setups, significantly reducing measurement time and uncertainty. Furthermore, the study revealed that laser tracker measurements provide valuable insights into the deflection behavior of shaping drum, the alignment of transfer mechanisms, and the symmetry of the bead feeding system. These capabilities make the laser tracker a powerful diagnostic and calibration tool in industrial large-scale metrology. The application of this method in tire building processes improves assembly accuracy, reduces geometric errors, and enhances product uniformity.