The ECE R117 standard was formally issued on February 20, 2023. This standard specifies the wore tire preparations equipment and buffing requirement for test procedure for measurement the adhesion on wet surfaces of tires in worn state. The release of this standard has received extensive attention from tire manufacturers, with the most critical wore tire preparation machine becoming the focus. What kind of equipment can meet the wore tire requirements of the standard? What needs to pay attention about the machine? The following is explanation according to the customer inquiries combined with TMSI tire grinding machine.

a) In order to increase the worn tire fabrication efficiency, the tire buffing machine should be equipped with tire auto inflation system. The inflation system is used for rapid inflation and deflation, and needs to keep air pressure stabilization during tire rotation. The inflation system includes pressure detection and pressure control system. Tire can be automatically inflated after putting in position. During buffing process, the tire pressure can be monitored and recorded real time. According to the requirement, the accuracy of tire pressure shall be ±5Kpa. And the tire pressure shall be always maintained to be setting pressure during buffing.

b)  The rim shall be rigid enough to ensure the deflection of bead seat in any direction less than 0.13mm when it runs in setting pressure. The forged aluminum rim is used with the high-strength shaft to ensure the circumferential accuracy when the tire is loaded to buffing stone by the radial force; otherwise, the problems of bias grinding and uneven depth of circumferential grinding may occur.

c) The temperature of the tire tread shall be monitored during buffing, and the temperature can’t be greater than 110℃. The tire buffing equipment shall be equipped with surface temperature measuring sensor, the common type is the contactless infrared temperature sensor. Secondly, the buffing recipe should be setup according to the tire dimension and rubber material, the feeding amount shall be adjusted (the more feeding amount, the higher the buffing efficiency will be, but the temperature of tire surface will rise accordingly). The most important is that the tire buffing equipment shall be equipped with cooling system which can physically cool the tire surface, and remove the rubber crumbs attached on the tread. TMSI uses a high-efficient vortex cooling technology which can effectively control the temperature of tire surface within 100℃.

d) The groove depth in each measurement point reaches the target groove depth. The final groove depth at each individual measurement point of the central zone should be 2mm ± 0.4mm, the average groove depth over all measurement should be 2mm ± 0.2mm, The final groove depth in the shoulder zone should not be greater than 2mm. The final contour in tire shoulder shall be a curve which transits from the main groove to the tire shoulder on both sides.

This requirement is most important and difficult to meet. Firstly, the buffing equipment should have profile measurement to get the profile data for tire tread and groove. Secondly, it shall have ability to define and edit the target contour by the user or create target contour auto automatic. Besides, the machine control system and mechanical structure can perform buffing according to the target contour. TMSI tire buffing machine has X/Y coordinate system, which can work with the buffing stone swing system to ensure the transition of the curve.

e) The average of 3 arithmetic mean height of absolute values of the roughness profile of the final surface should not exceed 20um. Some standard request tire surface roughness Ra≤10μm. This is another important requirement for preparation of the worn tire, which is related to actual effect of the wet slip test. This parameter is decided by the roughness of the buffing stone and the buffing uniformity. The buffing stone of TMSI machine is made of steel wheel coated with emery, which can ensure the buffing effect and service life.

The five items above basically cover the key requirements of preparation equipment of worn tire. Besides, many functions of the tire buffing equipment may affect the safety and efficiency of tire buffing. For example, the sound insulation room, automatic tire lifting device, dust collection device, etc.

Anyway, the worn tire preparation equipment is an important tool for wore tire adhesion measuring on wet surfaces. High-precision tire buffing machine can not only improve tire grinding accuracy but also enhance grinding efficiency, which can ensure to provide enough wore tire for test and the test accuracy for measurement the adhesion on wet surfaces of tires in worn state.

The Shanghai International Automotive Testing Expo 2023 has been successfully concluded, during which TMSI's DIC-3D system has received extensive attention from customers.

The non-contact measurement technology of DIC-3D solves the limitations of conventional strain gauge and laser measurement, and provides a new solution for dynamic testing and site test.

For non-contact stress analysis, deformation analysis and vibration analysis for automotive transmission, braking and load-bearing structures, TMSI's complete set of solutions will make mechanics easier and make the force "be visible"！

    TMSI is glad to announce its partnership with ASCI (AUTOMATIZACION Y SISTEMAS DE CONTROL INDUSTRIAL), a Guadalajara Mexico based company.

    “we are glad to work with TMSI as representative for Mexico, with over 30 years’ experience in tire industry, together with TMSI leading technology, we will provide the best lab testing solution and service for tire and auto industry. Our customer will benefit from the partnership”Said Ricardo Castaneda, president of ASCI.

Dr. Gerald Potts has been named the recipient of the Fernley H. Banbury Award for 2022.

Potts is perhaps best known as the founder, president and chief technical officer of TMSI, where he worked from 1991-2016. TMSI is a major provider of measurement solutions in the tire and automotive industry markets. He also is renowned for his work with GRP Dynamics L.L.C.; Firestone; and as an adjunct professor with the University of Akron and Kansas State University, one of his alma maters. In 2014, Potts received the Life-time Achievement Award from Tire Technology International in Cologne, Germany. He is the owner of nine patents for tire testing system technology and has authored more than 20 technical publications. Potts also served as Tire Society president from 2018-20 and as chairman of the original ASTM F-9 Committee—in manyways a precursor to the Tire Society—on tires. 

The Fernley H. Banbury Award is named for an English scientist and engineer who invented the Banbury mixer, the iconic mixing machine used in arange of industries, from elastomers to plastics and chemicals.

TMSI is happy to count with the Dr Lin Kung as the CTO of our company.

As a 30+ year veteran in tire and auto industry, Dr. Lin Kung has been an active member in different institutions dedicated to the research and development of the tire mechanics, and his experience in Nexen, Kumho, Continental, and Firestone will make him a key contributor to our group. 

In his role as CTO, Dr. Lin Kung will work closely with our engineering team, as well as count with the collaboration of Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Potts, Senior Technical Advisor and part of our Board of Directors.

His knowledge in tire mechanics, and the tire industry will be of great value to TMSI Llc. as we continue to move forward in developing new technologies by listening to our customers, and offering solutions to specific requirements.

“I am glad to be part of TMSI team, to work with one of the best team in the industry to keep innovation moving forward ”, said Dr. Lin Kung.

  In may 2021，at TMSI we are happy to have recently completed the delivery of a Dynamic Footprint Machine (DFPM) for a customer in USA. We continue to work with our team on its installation, and congratulate the team that have been working in completing this project for development and research for PCR and TBR.

  In April 2021, TM-PCR400 High-precision tire profile scanning and buffing solution has successfully delivered to the customer. 

  At present, most tire performance tests in the industry are required by brand new tires.

  With the improvement of tire performance requirements, more and more customers pay more attention to the performance of tires throughout its life cycle, and carry out performance tests of "tires in use" with specific levels of wear.

  If the traditional method of car mileage abrasion is adopted, it is time-consuming and laborious, which is not conducive to the development of new products. Therefore, TMSI has developed the TM-PCR400 tire scanning and buffing solution. Using TM-PCR400, customers can quickly grind and test the tires in bulk they need  at an economical price. Using TMSI's machine, customers can obtain contour curves. They can user-defined wear contours, user-defined wear degree, after 100 kilometers simulate test , then get an ideal sample tire.

  The main functions of TM-PCR400 are as follows:

1. Tire Profiling - Used in tire road test to reduce cost and used in tire planing analysis to improve R&D efficiency.

2. Repair tire dynamic balance function - Repair of tires with unqualified dynamic balance function and raise dynamic balance function index to A level.

3. Scanning and analysis tire profile - Scan and generate target contour curve automatically and contour analysis and optimization functions.

  TMSI is a testing solution provider , specialized in tire performance measurement technologies. Its main products are Onlevel™ test machine, Dynamic footprint machine, Uniformity test machine, Rolling resistance test machine, Multi-function load/deflection test machine, Endurance test machine, Data analysis software and other tire performance measurement solutions， which continuously meet the diverse and complicated testing needs of customers.

  On December 28, 2019, there was good news came from M customers in Southeast Asia. Our company's new three-roller calender completed installation, commissioning, training and acceptance, and successfully delivered to M customers.

  This calender is a new type of three-roll calender specially designed for the laboratory by the R & D department. The rollers with special materials and surface treatment can meet the calender test requirements of various formula compounds in the laboratory. The roller speed ratio adopts stepless speed regulation design, which can meet the test requirements of various calendering processes. Patented roller heating and cooling temperature control system design, temperature control accuracy can reach ± 1 ℃. The specially developed control system can collect various data during the experiment and easily output the experimental data and reports. For the safety, maintainability and operability of the system, we refer to ISO, CE and UL standards to give our customers more peace of mind.

  The calender has a modular design. One-day delivery mode for same-day installation, same-day commissioning, and same-day start  up and delivery can be realized. Received high praise from customers.

We have a professional Lab processing equipment team, and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you.

In November 2019, the Dynamic Footprint Machine independently developed by TMSI was officially delivered to the customer. The machine possesses the capability of three types of impression measurement methods: vision, probe and pressure blanket. It also has low-speed six-component force test, load deflection test and abrasion energy test subjects and so on. It is the only multifunctional dynamic footprint test machine in the world.

   In October 2019, the first bicycle tire rolling resistance test machine independently developed by TMSI was officially delivered to the customer. Based on the characteristics of bicycle tires and experience in tire testing, TMSI R&D Team successfully applied the theoretical model of rolling resistance of automobile tires to bicycle tires, which means a new member joined the TMSI laboratory processing equipment family. 

  The 38^th Annual Business Meeting of The Tire Society was held in Akron on September 10, 2019. As a member of the association, TMSI, with the top tire manufacturers Bridgestone, Cooper, Goodyear, Nexans, Jiatong, Kumho, Michelin, Han Thai, etc., discusses the future technology of tires for a week.

  Dr.Gerald Potts, as the founder of TMSI, shared the latest research results with atendee, that is Tread block force and displacement and measurements during rolling contact testing on a stationary machine, which was widely acclaimed. This subject provided tire testing、research and development with new directions and methods. We have already applied the method to Dynamic Footprint Machine for demonstration. It is believed that as technology matures, it would definitely bring a new revolution to the tire testing industry. 

Recently, world leading solution provider - TMSI America announced officially  in Akron that Ms. Linda Oshea joined TMSI and served as vice president of global engineering technology, comprehensively leading TMSI's global product planning and engineering R&D team.

Ms. Oshea has nearly 20 years of working experience in the tire industry and has extensive experience in research and development, product planning and marketing, and project management. Ms. Oshea was employed in Alpha Technology as the vice president for software solutions of the global software development department and information department. Subsequently, MICRI POISE invited her to take charge of the vice president of products and marketing, being responsible for global product planning and marketing management.

"Warmly welcome Ms. Linda Oshea to join our team," said Dr. Potts, the founder and executive director of TMSI. "With rich experience in the testing industry, Ms. Oshea will bring advanced product ideas and management experience to TMSI. I believe she will promote the achievement of TMSI's global strategic goals. "

"It is a great honor to be a part of the TMSI team. I will work with the TMSI team to provide customers with the best technology and products," said Ms. Oshea.

Rubber and plastic equipment 2019-08-07

Recently, world leading solution provider - TMSI USA announced that TMSI China was officially established and brought into operation.

It is reported that, TMSI was established in "The Rubber Capital of the World" in Akron Ohio, USA in 1991. After nearly 30 years development, on the one hand, TMSI has successfully provided testing equipment for tire manufacturers and car manufacturers who rank as top10 in the world. On the other hand, TMSI is commissioned to work for the third-party independent inspection agency to supply testing equipment and product solution. At present, TMSI’s mainly recommended products include Tire Rolling Resistence Test System、Tire Uniformity Test System、Dynamic Footprint Machine、OnLEVEL Tire Test Machine、Multi-Function Load/Deflection Tire Test Machine and Tire Endurance Test Machine.  Both of products and technology are in the leading industry level.  To better meet the rapidly growing business demand in the Asian-Pacific region, TMSI established a wholly-owned subsidiary company in Qingdao to provide more and faster localization services for customers.

As a part of TMSI China strategy, we are willing to see Chinese companies put into operation after a short period of preparation. We hope to provide more efficient   considerate support and services to Chinese customers in the tire and automotive industries through localization operations." Liu Xin, as Technical Director of TMSI China, mentioned, "As a standard equipment provider for the US NHTSA and DOT (Note: the US Highway Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation), we believe that TMSI can contribute to the upgrading in the Chinese domestic tire and automotive industries. .

When talking about TMSI China's future plans, Liu Xin said: "We will also invest in the establishment of technology and training centers in China to help customers better understand TMSI's technology and help customers improve their products faster."

In August 2018, the United States government adjusted tariff policy against China, which would impose 25% tariff on goods exported to the United States. It brought a great challenge. TMSI America adjusted the operation strategy at once and made a decision that the order from Asian customers would be assembled and completed by TMSI Team in China.

The Southeast Asia customer L has officially grown the first beneficiaries of TMSI's strategy. The customer customized a high-speed uniformity testing machine HSU originally scheduled to be delivered in the United States. However, after full communication with each other based on the negative impact of tariff imposed, the rapid reaction and solution to responding problems was highly appreciated by customer L, who decided to change the delivery location from USA to China immediately. Due to save time for shipping and a majority of  international suppliers agreed to be serviced directly from TMSI China Team, it sped up the completion of projects.  

With the cooperation of China Team and the America Team, the first HSU assembled in domestic was successfully delivered. It opened a new channel for TMSI's global layout and brought valuable project operation experience. TMSI would continue to work hard to service customers with  better technology and resolve problems in timely manner. 

In March 2019, a famous Chinese tire manufacturer placed an order with TMSI for an customized all-steel rigid testing machine and signed the contract formally. It marks that LD equipment has entered the domestic market for the first time, achieving zero breakthroughs in LD equipment orders, and it is also a key step in the localization strategy in China.

Twenty-five years ago, the first LD testing machine customized from TMSI was successfully delivered to the customer, who ranked as one of top three manufactures for the tire industries intenationally. Since then, we carried out technical exchanges and cooperation countinously. In addition, MFLD equipment has become the standard equipment and delivered to the customer’s factories all over the world without any mistake.  

The Multi-function Load/Deflection tire testing machine prossesses industry-leading advantages. It can achieve camber deformation compensation function. The equipment  uses axle-mounted sensors, that can obtain more in line with the actual tire force and torque data, can measure high frequency, the test range of the device's rotation range is 90˚ At the same time, it can provide functional options such as impression measurement (like camera or pressure blanket), tire side contour scanning, looping, etc..The equipment has excellent repeatability and correlation, and the failure rate is very low. It has been widely praised by customers for more than 10 years.

For localized delivery in China, TMSI China Engineer Director Sean Liu shows full of confidence. " TMSI’s technology is  mature enough to carry out delivery on time." Meanwhile, he ranks the prospect of LD machines in China very highly. We would also take this chance to cooperate with domestic tire manufacturers to meet the testing needs of high-end customers.