Method for replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, during an uninterrupted process of tire production in a tire production plant and to a method for modernizing a tire plant comprising replacements of processing units, these replacements being carried out according to said replacement method of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a tire production method using the method according to the present invention and a tire production plant for implementing said method. Figure to be published with the abstract: [Fig 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Method for replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, during an uninterrupted process of tire production in a tire production plant. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for modernizing a tire production plant comprising the use of the replacement method of the present invention, a tire production method using the method according to the present invention and a tire production plant for implementing said method.

[0002] A tire production plant generally includes one or more buildings in which tires are manufactured using several processing units. Factories must be organized to respond quickly to changes in tire orders. Indeed, a factory must be able to change production lines quickly to remain competitive while improving the quality of its tires. In addition, given the new regulations in the automotive sector, new issues arise in the tire sector to meet these new needs it is necessary to be able to react quickly in order to adapt production. This is why there is a need for new methods for upgrading factories to meet regulations and customer needs.

[0003] In the present invention, it has been found that it is possible to carry out this type of upgrade while keeping the production lines operational. Indeed, thanks to the present invention, it is no longer necessary to destroy factories to upgrade them. This is entirely beneficial financially because tire production does not need to be interrupted for its upgrade or modernization, but also from an environmental point of view by avoiding complete destruction before reconstruction.

[0004] Thus, the present invention relates to a method for replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, during an uninterrupted process of tire production in a tire production plant comprising a processing unit UR, the method comprising

[0005] (i) preparing a P-type PR tire element in the UR processing unit, including

[0006] (i. 1) directing at least one SE flow comprising at least one component E to the P-type pneumatic element in the UR unit;

[0007] (i.2) processing the at least one component E in the unit UR, obtaining the element PR of type P;

[0008] (i.3) removing an SPR stream comprising the PR element from the UR unit;

[0009] (ii) preparing a processing unit UN for operation, comprising

[0010] (ü. 1) provide the processing unit UN;

[0011] (ii.2) installing the UN unit at a location in the production plant of pneumatic allowing the passage of at least one SE flow in UN;

[0012] (ii.3) putting the unit UN in a ready-to-operate state;

[0013] (iii) at least partially replacing the processing of the at least one component E in the UR unit with the processing in the UN unit, comprising

[0014] (iü.l) redirecting at least part of the SE flow, without interrupting it, from the UR unit to the UN unit;

[0015] (iii.2) processing at least part of the flow SE in the unit UN, obtaining an element P-type PN;

[0016] (iii.3) removing an SPN stream comprising the PN element from the unit UN;

[0017] in which the unit UR and the unit UN are of the same type.

[0018] Preferably the UR unit and the UN unit are selected from the group consisting of a mixing unit, an extrusion unit, a cutting unit, a bead winding and apex application unit, an assembly unit and a vulcanization unit.

[0019] By using the method of the present invention, a tire production plant can change all or part of its equipment without having to shut down the plant and stop production.

[0020] Preferably, the replacement of a processing unit by another processing unit of the same type according to the present invention, in particular during an uninterrupted tire production process, makes it possible to modernize (and / or upgrade) an entire factory without relocating and destroying existing elements. This has a very strong societal but also environmental impact.

[0021] The method of the present invention avoids the total closure of a factory and the cessation of production. This makes it possible to continue producing tires during modernization, which is a definite economic advantage, and to preserve jobs by avoiding relocation to another region or another country where the construction of a factory would seem more advantageous.

[0022] Preferably the SE flow directed according to (i. 1) is continuous or discontinuous.

[0023] Preferably the SPR stream comprising the PR element of the UR unit is further directed to a subsequent stage of the uninterrupted pneumatic production process.

[0024] Preferably the processing unit UN provided according to (ii. 1) replacing the unit UR is a unit with more technical features than this UR unit.

[0025] Preferably the processing unit UN provided according to (ü.l) is a processing unit allowing at least partial automation, more preferably automation, of said processing.

[0026] Preferably the installation of UN according to (ii.2) is done either in an existing zone ZI comprising UR, or in a zone Z2 of the factory at a location in the tire production factory allowing the passage of at least one flow SE in UN, ZI being different from Z2.

[0027] Optionally, zone Z2 may be a pre-existing zone at the factory before the replacement or a new zone created for the replacement. This new zone may be a new building for example.

[0028] Preferably the method further comprises before (i)

[0029] - the provision of the UR processing unit,

[0030] - the installation of UR in the factory, more preferably in a zone Zl, allowing the passage of at least one SE flow in UR; and

[0031] - putting UR into a ready-to-operate state.

[0032] Preferably putting the unit UN into a ready-to-operate state according to (ii.3) comprises programming this unit, more preferably for the optimal operation of this unit within the uninterrupted tire production process.

[0033] In the context of the present invention, the term "uninterrupted process" means that the steps of the tire production process are not interrupted.

[0034] Preferably, the programming is done with a computer program and / or by a factory operator.

[0035] Preferably (iii.l) comprises gradually stopping the direction of the SE flow in UR. Preferably (iii.l) comprises redirecting the SE flow, without interrupting it, from the UR unit to the UN unit.

[0036] Preferably, the SE flow is continuous or discontinuous.

[0037] Preferably the SPN stream comprising the PN element of the UR unit is further directed to a later stage in the uninterrupted pneumatic production process.

[0038] It is possible that the SPN stream and the SPR stream are mixed for or at the later step.

[0039] Preferably, when the UR unit and the UN unit are blending units, the E component comprises at least two chemical compounds, more preferably at least one of the two chemical compounds being natural and / or synthetic rubber.

[0040] Preferably, when the UR unit and the UN unit are mixing units, the treatment according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these mixing units comprises mixing the component E comprising at least two chemical compounds, more preferably in which at least one of the two chemical compounds is natural and / or synthetic rubber.

[0041] This makes it possible to obtain with the treatment according to (i.2) a PR element being a mixture of chemical compounds and with the treatment according to (ii.2) a PN element being a mixture of chemical compounds.

[0042] Preferably, when the UR unit and the UN unit are extrusion units, the E component comprises a mixture of chemical compounds, more preferably comprising natural and / or synthetic rubber.

[0043] Preferably, when the UR unit and the UN unit are extrusion units, the processing according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these extrusion units comprises extruding a mixture of chemical compounds, more preferably comprising natural and / or synthetic rubber.

[0044] This makes it possible to obtain with the treatment according to (i.2) a PR element being an extruded strip and with the treatment according to (ii.2) a PN element being an extruded strip.

[0045] Preferably, when the unit UR and the unit UN are assembly units, the component E comprises tire components, more preferably including a carcass, sidewalls and a tread.

[0046] Preferably, when the UR unit and the UN unit are assembly units, the processing according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these assembly units comprises assembling tire components on a manufacturing drum, wherein more preferably the tire components comprise a carcass, sidewalls and a tread.

[0047] This makes it possible to obtain with the treatment according to (i.2) a PR element being an unvulcanized tire and with the treatment according to (ii.2) a PN element being an unvulcanized tire.

[0048] Preferably, when the UR unit and the UN unit are vulcanization units, the component E is an unvulcanized tire.

[0049] Preferably, when the UR unit and the UN unit are vulcanization units, the treatment according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these vulcanization units comprises vulcanizing an unvulcanized tire in a mold.

[0050] This makes it possible to obtain with the treatment according to (i.2) a PR element being a vulcanized tire and with the treatment according to (ii.2) a PN element being a vulcanized tire.

[0051] Preferably, the quality of the P-type PN element is greater than or equal to the quality of the P-type PR element, more preferably greater than the quality of the P-type PR element.

[0052] Preferably the method further comprises

[0053] (iv) stopping operation of the UR treatment unit and removing it from the factory.

[0054] Preferably the UR treatment unit removed from the factory according to (iv) is recycled.

[0055] The present invention further relates to a method of modernizing a factory of tire production, the method comprising several replacements of processing units used for tire production by other processing units of the same type, in which said other processing units are connected to each other by a network, in which the method comprises operating each replacement of processing unit according to the steps of the replacement method according to the present invention.

[0056] Thus, the present invention relates to a method for modernizing a tire production plant, the method comprising several replacements of processing units used for a tire production process by other processing units of the same type, in which said other processing units are connected to each other by a network, in which the method comprises operating each replacement of processing unit according to a method of replacing a processing unit for the preparation of a tire element, the element being of type P, the replacement method comprising

[0057] (i) preparing a P-type PR tire element in the UR processing unit, including

[0058] (i. 1) directing at least one SE flow comprising at least one component E to the P-type pneumatic element in the UR unit;

[0059] (i.2) processing the at least one component E in the unit UR, obtaining the element PR of type P;

[0060] (i.3) removing an SPR stream comprising the PR element from the UR unit;

[0061] (ii) preparing a processing unit UN for operation, comprising

[0062] (ii. 1) providing the processing unit UN;

[0063] (ii.2) installing the UN unit at a location in the production plant of pneumatic allowing the passage of at least one SE flow in UN;

[0064] (ii.3) putting the unit UN in a ready-to-operate state;

[0065] (iii) at least partially replacing the processing of the at least one component E in the UR unit with the processing in the UN unit, comprising

[0066] (iii. 1) redirecting at least part of the SE flow, without interrupting it, from the UR unit to the UN unit;

[0067] (iü.2) processing at least one part of the SE stream in the UN unit, obtaining an element P-type PN;

[0068] (iii.3) removing an SPN stream comprising the PN element from the unit UN;

[0069] in which the unit UR and the unit UN are of the same type and in which each replacement is done without interrupting the tire production process in the tire production plant including the UR processing unit.

[0070] Preferably, the network is an internal network, for example an intranet, or an external network.

[0071] Indeed, this allows the units to communicate with each other to improve the efficiency of tire production.

[0072] Preferably the replacements are made successively or simultaneously, more preferably successively.

[0073] Preferably the replacement steps described in the modernization method are as disclosed herein in the context of the replacement method of the present invention.

[0074] The present invention further relates to a continuous method of producing a tire in a tire production plant, comprising a method of replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, according to the present invention.

[0075] Thus the present invention relates to a continuous method for producing a tire in a tire production plant, comprising a method for replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, in the tire production plant comprising a UR processing unit, the method comprising

[0076] (i) preparing a P-type PR tire element in the UR processing unit, including

[0077] (i. 1) directing at least one SE flow comprising at least one component E to the P-type pneumatic element in the UR unit;

[0078] (i.2) processing the at least one component E in the unit UR, obtaining the element PR of type P;

[0079] (i.3) removing an SPR stream comprising the PR element from the UR unit;

[0080] (ii) preparing a processing unit UN for operation, comprising

[0081] (ü. 1) provide the processing unit UN;

[0082] (ü.2) installing the UN unit at a location in the production plant of pneumatic allowing the passage of at least one SE flow in UN;

[0083] (ii.3) putting the unit UN in a ready-to-operate state;

[0084] (iii) at least partially replacing the processing of the at least one component E in the UR unit with the processing in the UN unit, comprising

[0085] (iii. 1) redirecting at least part of the SE flow, without interrupting it, from the UR unit to the UN unit;

[0086] (iii.2) processing at least part of the SE stream in the UN unit, obtaining an element P-type PN;

[0087] (iii.3) removing an SPN stream comprising the PN element from the unit UN;

[0088] in which the unit UR and the unit UN are of the same type.

[0089] Preferably the replacement steps described in the context of the continuous tire production process are as disclosed herein in the context of the replacement method of the present invention.

[0090] The present invention further relates to a tire production plant, for implementing a tire production method according to the present invention, the plant comprising a processing unit UR for preparing a tire element PR; means for directing a flow SE comprising at least one component E for the tire element of type P into the unit UR; means for withdrawing a flow SPR comprising the element PR from the unit UR; a processing unit UN for preparing a tire element PN; a location for the unit UN allowing the passage of the at least one flow SE into UN; means for redirecting at least a portion of the flow SE, without interrupting it, from the unit UR to the unit UN; means for withdrawing a flow SPN comprising the element PN from the unit UN; wherein the unit UR and the unit UN are of the same type.

[0091] Preferably the UR unit and the UN unit are selected from the group consisting of a mixing unit, an extrusion unit, a cutting unit, a bead winding and apex application unit, an assembly unit and a vulcanization unit.

[0092] Preferably the factory further comprises at least two other US processing units, these at least two US units being of a type different from UR and UN.

[0093] The present invention is further illustrated by the following set of embodiments and combinations of embodiments resulting from the dependencies and backreferences as indicated. In particular, it should be noted that in each case where a range of embodiments is mentioned, for example in the context of a term such as "The method of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3", each embodiment in that range is intended to be explicitly disclosed to those skilled in the art, i.e., the wording of that term should be understood by those skilled in the art to be synonymous with "the method of any one of Embodiments 1, 2 and 3".Further, it is explicitly noted that the following set of embodiments represents a suitably structured portion of the general description directed to preferred aspects of the present invention and, therefore, suitably supports, but does not represent, the claims of the present invention.

[0094] According to embodiment 1 of the present invention, a method for replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, during an uninterrupted process of tire production in a tire production plant comprising a processing unit UR, the method comprising

[0095] (i) preparing a P-type PR tire element in the UR processing unit, including

[0096] (i. 1) directing at least one SE flow comprising at least one component E to the P-type pneumatic element in the UR unit;

[0097] (i.2) processing the at least one component E in the unit UR, obtaining the element PR of type P;

[0098] (i.3) removing an SPR stream comprising the PR element from the UR unit;

[0099] (ii) preparing a processing unit UN for operation, comprising

[0100] (ü. 1) provide the processing unit UN;

[0101] (ii.2) installing the UN unit at a location in the production plant of pneumatic allowing the passage of at least one SE flow in UN;

[0102] (ii.3) putting the unit UN in a ready-to-operate state;

[0103] (iii) at least partially replacing the processing of the at least one component E in the UR unit with the processing in the UN unit, comprising

[0104] (iü.l) redirecting at least part of the SE flow, without interrupting it, from the UR unit to the UN unit;

[0105] (iii.2) processing at least part of the SE stream in the UN unit, obtaining an element P-type PN;

[0106] (iii.3) removing an SPN stream comprising the PN element from the unit UN;

[0107] in which the unit UR and the unit UN are of the same type.

[0108] Embodiment 2: A method according to embodiment 1, wherein the UR unit and the UN unit are selected from the group consisting of a mixing unit, an extrusion unit, a cutting unit, a bead winding and apex application unit, an assembly unit and a vulcanization unit.

[0109] Embodiment 3: The method according to embodiment 1 or 2, in which the flow SE directed according to (il) is continuous or discontinuous.

[0110] Embodiment 4: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the SPR stream comprising the PR element of the UR unit is further directed to a subsequent stage of the uninterrupted pneumatic production process.

[0111] Embodiment 5: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the processing unit UN provided according to (ii.l) replacing the unit UR is a unit having more technical functionalities than this unit UR.

[0112] Embodiment 6: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the processing unit UN provided according to (ii.l) is a processing unit allowing at least partial automation, preferably automation, of said processing.

[0113] Embodiment 7: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 6, in which the installation of UN according to (ii.2) is done either in an existing zone ZI comprising UR, either in a zone Z2 of the factory at a location in the tire production factory allowing the passage of at least one flow SE in UN, ZI being different from Z2.

[0114] Embodiment 8: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein putting the unit UN into a ready-to-operate state according to (ii.3) comprises programming this unit, preferably for the optimal operation of this unit within the uninterrupted tire production process.

[0115] Embodiment 9: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein (iii.l) comprises redirecting the SE flow, without interrupting it, from the UR unit to the UN unit.

[0116] Embodiment 10: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the SPN stream comprising the PN element of the UR unit is further directed to a later stage in the uninterrupted process of pneumatic production.

[0117] Embodiment 11: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein, when the UR unit and the UN unit are blending units, the component E comprises at least two chemical compounds, preferably at least one of the two chemical compounds being natural and / or synthetic rubber.

[0118] Embodiment 12: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein, when the unit UR and the unit UN are mixing units, the treatment according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these mixing units comprises mixing the component E comprising at least two chemical compounds, preferably wherein at least one of the two chemical compounds is natural and / or synthetic rubber.

[0119] Embodiment 13: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein, when the unit UR and the unit UN are extrusion units, the component E comprises a mixture of chemical compounds, preferably comprising natural and / or synthetic rubber.

[0120] Embodiment 14: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 10 and 13, wherein, when the UR unit and the UN unit are extrusion units, the treatment according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these extrusion units comprises extruding a mixture of chemical compounds, preferably comprising natural and / or synthetic rubber.

[0121] Embodiment 15: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein, when the unit UR and the unit UN are assembly units, the component E comprises tire components, preferably including a carcass, sidewalls and a tread.

[0122] Embodiment 16: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 10 and 15, wherein, when the unit UR and the unit UN are assembly units, the processing according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these assembly units comprises assembling tire components on a manufacturing drum, wherein preferably the tire components comprise a carcass, sidewalls and a tread.

[0123] Embodiment 17: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein, when the unit UR and the unit UN are vulcanization units, the component E is an unvulcanized tire.

[0124] Embodiment 18: The method according to any of embodiments 1 to 10 and 18, wherein, when the UR unit and the UN unit are vulcanization units, the treatment according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these vulcanization units comprises vulcanizing an unvulcanized tire in a mold.

[0125] Embodiment 19: The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 18, further comprising

[0126] (iv) stopping operation of the UR treatment unit and removing it from the factory.

[0127] Embodiment 20: The method according to embodiment 19, in which the UR treatment unit removed from the factory according to (iv) is recycled.

[0128] Embodiment 21: A method for modernizing a tire production plant, the method comprising several replacements of processing units used for tire production with other processing units of the same type, wherein said other processing units are connected to each other by a network, wherein the method comprises operating each replacement of processing unit according to the steps of the replacement method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 20.

[0129] Embodiment 22: The modernization method according to embodiment 21, in which the replacements are made successively or simultaneously, preferably successively.

[0130] Embodiment 23: A continuous method of producing a tire in a tire production plant, comprising a method of replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, according to any one of embodiments 1 to 20.

[0131] Embodiment 24: A tire production plant, for implementing a tire production method according to embodiment 23, the plant comprising a processing unit UR for preparing a tire element PR; means for directing a flow SE comprising at least one component E for the P-type tire element into the unit UR; means for withdrawing a flow SPR comprising the PR element from the unit UR; a unit of treatment UN for preparing a PN tire element; a location for the unit UN allowing the passage of at least one SE flow into UN; means for redirecting at least a portion of the SE flow, without interrupting it, from the unit UR to the unit UN; means for removing an SPN flow comprising the PN element from the unit UN; wherein the unit UR and the unit UN are of the same type.

[0132] Embodiment 25: A plant according to embodiment 24, wherein the UR unit and the UN unit are selected from the group consisting of a mixing unit, an extrusion unit, a cutting unit, a bead winding and apex application unit, an assembly unit and a vulcanization unit.

[0133] Embodiment 26: A factory according to embodiment 24 or 25, wherein the factory further comprises at least two other processing units US, these at least two units US being of a type different from UR and UN. Description of the figures

[0134] [Fig.l] and [Fig.2] represent some steps of the embodiments of the replacement method of the present invention. [Fig.l] represents the operation of the UR unit before the start of the processing unit replacement, during the uninterrupted tire manufacturing process in a tire production plant 1, for the preparation of a P-type PR element. The SE stream comprising at least one component E for the P-type tire element is directed into the UR unit, the component E is then processed in the UR unit, to obtain the P-type PR element, finally the SPR stream comprising the PR element is removed from UR.

[0135] Optionally, the SPR flow comprising PR is directed into another processing unit UFS to obtain a tire product of type P. [Fig.2] represents the operation of the unit UR, during the uninterrupted tire manufacturing process in a tire production plant 1, for the preparation of a PR element of type P and the operation of the unit UN, during the uninterrupted tire manufacturing process in a tire production plant 1, for the preparation of a PN element of type P. These two units operate in parallel for a certain time. For this, a portion of SE is directed into UN and a portion of SE is directed into UR. Optionally, the two flows SPN and SPR are directed into another processing unit UFS to obtain a tire product of type P.

[0136] [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4] show some steps of embodiments of the replacement method of the present invention. [Fig. 3] shows the gradual stopping of the operation of the unit UR after the UN is put into operation and the start of the replacement of UR by UN, during the uninterrupted tire manufacturing process in a tire production plant 1, for the pre preparation of a P-type PN tire element. A portion then the whole of the SE flow comprising at least one component E for the P-type tire element is directed into UN, the component E is then processed in the UN unit, to obtain the P-type PN element, finally the SPN flow comprising the PN element is removed from UN. Optionally, SPN is directed into another UFS processing unit to obtain a P-type tire product. According to [Fig.4], the uninterrupted tire production process continues with the UN processing unit.

Claims

Claims

1. A method for a replacement of a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, during an uninterrupted process of tire production in a tire production plant comprising a processing unit UR, the method comprising (i) preparing a tire element PR of type P in the processing unit UR, comprising (ii) directing at least one stream SE comprising at least one component E for the tire element of type P in the unit UR; (i.2) processing the at least one component E in the unit UR, obtaining the element PR of type P; (i.3) withdrawing an SPR stream comprising the element PR from the unit UR; (ii) preparing a processing unit UN for operation, comprising (ii.l) providing the processing unit UN; (ii.2) installing the unit UN at a location in the tire production plant allowing the passage of the at least one stream SE into UN; (ii.3) putting the unit UN into a ready-to-operate state; (iii) at least partially replacing the processing of the at least one component E in the unit UR with the processing in the unit UN, comprising (iii.l) redirecting at least a part of the SE stream, without interrupting it, from the unit UR to the unit UN; (iii.2) processing the at least a part of the SE stream in the unit UN, obtaining a PN element of type P; (iii.3) removing an SPN stream comprising the PN element from the unit UN; wherein the unit UR and the unit UN are of the same type.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the UR unit and the UN unit are selected from the group consisting of a mixing unit, an extrusion unit, a cutting unit, a bead winding and apex application unit, an assembly unit and a vulcanization unit.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing unit UN provided according to (ii.l) is a processing unit allowing at least partial automation, preferably automation, of said processing.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the installation of UN according to (ii.2) is done either in an existing zone ZI comprising UR, or in a zone Z2 of the factory at a location in the tire production factory allowing the passage of the at least one flow SE in UN, ZI being different from Z2.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein putting the unit UN into a ready-to-operate state according to (ii.3) comprises programming that unit, preferably for the optimal operation of that unit within the uninterrupted tire production process.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the unit UR and the unit UN are mixing units, the component E comprises at least two chemical compounds, preferably at least one of the two chemical compounds being natural and / or synthetic rubber; wherein preferably, when the unit UR and the unit UN are mixing units, the treatment according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these mixing units comprises mixing the component E comprising at least two chemical compounds, preferably wherein at least one of the two chemical compounds is natural and / or synthetic rubber.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the unit UR and the unit UN are assembly units, the component E comprises tire components, preferably including a carcass, sidewalls and a tread; wherein preferably, when the unit UR and the unit UN are assembly units, the processing according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these assembly units comprises assembling tire components on a building drum, wherein preferably the tire components comprise a carcass, sidewalls and a tread.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, when the unit UR and the unit UN are vulcanization units, the component E is an unvulcanized tire; wherein preferably, when the unit UR and the unit UN are vulcanization units, the treatment according to (i.2) and (ii.2) in these vulcanization units comprises vulcanizing an unvulcanized tire in a mold.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising further (iv) the shutdown of the UR treatment unit and its removal from the factory.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the UR treatment unit removed from the plant according to (iv) is recycled.

11. A method of modernizing a tire production plant, the method comprising several replacements of processing units used for tire production with other processing units of the same type, wherein said other processing units are connected to each other by a network; wherein the method comprises carrying out each replacement of processing unit according to the steps of the replacement method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A continuous process for producing a tire in a tire production plant, comprising a method of replacing a processing unit for preparing a tire element, the element being of type P, according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A tire production plant, for implementing a tire production method according to claim 12, the plant comprising a processing unit UR for preparing a tire element PR; means for directing a flow SE comprising at least one component E for the P-type tire element into the unit UR; means for withdrawing a flow SPR comprising the element PR from the unit UR; a processing unit UN for preparing a tire element PN; a location for the unit UN allowing the passage of the at least one flow SE into UN; means for redirecting at least a portion of the flow SE, without interrupting it, from the unit UR to the unit UN; means for withdrawing a flow SPN comprising the element PN from the unit U n; wherein the unit UR and the unit UN are of the same type.

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