Mass regulation of a water table using a virtual sensor on a cylinder grid

Abstract

The invention relates to a calendering system (100') that manufactures reinforced rubber sheets comprising one or more reinforcements (200) positioned between two layers of unvulcanized rubber comprising an upper skim (SSUP) and a lower skim (SINF). The calendering system incorporates a sheet mass control system comprising: - a first virtual sensor that performs a preliminary prediction of the mass of the manufactured sheet; - a second virtual sensor that performs a dynamic estimation of the density of the rubber mixture constituting the upper and lower skims; and - a third virtual sensor that calculates the average ratio between the mass of the upper and lower skims and the sum of the spacings between pairs of cylinders (102, 104) over the last 100 meters of the manufactured sheet; so that a mass prediction is obtained prior to an actual measurement of the mass of the manufactured sheet. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Mass regulation of a tablecloth using a virtual sensor on a cylinder calender Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a system that regulates the mass of fabrics intended for manufacturing tires. More particularly, the invention relates to the prediction of the mass of calendered products carried out before the actual measurement of the mass. Context

[0002] In the field of tire manufacturing, the tire is required to have various performances (e.g., reduced rolling resistance, improved wear resistance, comparable grip in wet and dry conditions, sufficient mileage, etc.). Tires are therefore composed of plies of reinforced rubber comprising different types of rubber compounds with reinforcements of wires or strips integrated into the rubber material. The nature of the wire and the nature of the rubber are chosen according to the desired final characteristics. As used herein, the term "wire" includes, without limitation, metallic (such as steel wires, films or cables), synthetic or textile reinforcing elements (or "reinforcements").

[0003] By way of example, as can be seen in [Fig.l], a reinforced rubber ply (or "ply") 10 comprises a plurality of continuous metal wires 12 having a common geometry. The wires 12 are laid parallel to each other and extend longitudinally between opposite ends of a rubber layer 14 (this rubber layer being formed of an upper skim and a lower skim as known to those skilled in the art). After calendering, the wires 12 must be uniformly spaced from each other, and they must also be uniformly positioned such that a center Ci2 of each wire remains collinear along a longitudinal axis X defined through the thickness of the rubber layer 14.Preferably, the longitudinal and vertical alignment of the cords 12 is ensured such that a maximum tolerance for a displacement D[2, measured between each cord center C12 and the longitudinal axis X of the rubber layer 14, does not exceed a predetermined tolerance for the particular rubber layer assembled (they are "aligned" and in "alignment"). The resulting plies are cut to the desired size and assembled to form a tire blank.

[0004] Referring further to [Fig. 2], a calendering system (or "system") 100 is shown which produces reinforced rubber plies (such as the ply 10 shown in [Fig. 1]). In order to produce reinforced rubber plies, it is known to calender the metal reinforcements between two layers of unvulcanized rubber (called "skims"). These two layers of rubber are represented in [Fig. 2] by the upper skim SSUp and the lower skim S^ which are generated by rolling hot rubber between two pairs of cylinders 102, 104. The pairs of cylinders 102, 104 comprise a first pair of cylinders 102 having an outer cylinder 102a and a central cylinder 102b having an air gap between them to produce the upper skim SSup- The upper skim is produced from a ribbon Ri of hot rubber which incorporates a rubber mixture chosen according to the desired properties for the final product (for example, a tire). The ribbon Ri of hot rubber arrives from an upstream extruder (not shown) by a transfer means 106 of the system 100 (see arrow ASUp in [Fig. 2]).The pairs of cylinders 102, 104 also include a second pair of cylinders 104 having an outer cylinder 104a and a central cylinder 104b having an air gap therebetween to produce the lower skim SiNF. The lower skim SinF is produced from a ribbon R2 of a hot rubber which incorporates a rubber mixture chosen according to the desired properties for the final product (for example, a tire). The ribbon R2 of hot rubber arrives from an upstream extruder (not shown) by a transfer means 108 of the system 100 (see arrow AinF of [Fig.2]).

[0005] It is understood that each cylinder 102a, 102b, 104a, 104b comprises a roller having a predetermined diameter and a longitudinal axis about which the roller rotates. It is also understood that the transfer means 106, 108 may comprise one or more known transfer means, including one or more belts or their commercially available equivalents.

[0006] The system 100 comprises one or more actuators (not shown) associated with each pair of cylinders 102, 104 to transmit a clamping force to the outer 102a, 104a and central 104a, 104b cylinders of each pair (see arrows BSUp and B1NF of [Fig. 2]). By means of pressure exerted between central cylinders 102b, 104b, the upper and lower skims SSup, S^p are applied at predetermined thicknesses to at least one reinforcement 200. The reinforcement 200 is being scrolled towards a predefined gap between central cylinders 102b, 104b (see arrow C of [Fig. 2]). The thickness of each skim SSup, S1NF is measured by sensors (not shown) having contact on the central cylinders 102b, 104b (an exemplary location of these sensors is represented in [Fig.2] by the arrows DSUp and D^p).The principle is to measure a distance between each central cylinder 102b, 104b and a corresponding inductive sensor positioned on a wheel (not shown) which is applied to the respective skim Ssup, Sinp during its passage between the central cylinders 102b, 104b. The measurement of each thickness makes it possible to check the symmetry of a sheet produced by the . system 100 between its two upper and lower faces.

[0007] The most important quality parameter is the total surface mass of the web, which is measured using a non-contact sensor (e.g., by beta radiation). Each web must be produced with a mass close to a target value according to defined tolerances. This mass is therefore often regulated by the industrial controller by adjusting the relative clampings between the pairs of cylinders (i.e., the clamping between the outer cylinder 102a and the central cylinder 102b, the clamping between the outer cylinder 104a and the central cylinder 104b, and the clamping between the central cylinders 102b, 104b). This regulation has major drawbacks, including the following: - Since the mass measurement is located at a distance well beyond the pairs of cylinders 102, 104, the regulation is very slow since it is necessary to wait a long time before having the feedback (the mass measurement) on the action carried out (the tightening adjustment); and - When there is excess thickness or jamming on one or more Ssup, SinF skims and / or the layer, the skim thickness sensors and / or the mass sensors are unavailable, which deactivates the regulation; in this case, the mass of the layer is no longer guaranteed.

[0008] Mass control was done manually, with the operator adjusting the gap between the rolls to obtain the correct mass. To automate this adjustment, a prior art solution proposes the installation of a direct digital control system on a four-roll calender (see Eakman, Stephen L., “Digital Control of Wire Calender”, IEEE Conference Record of Twenty-Sixth Annual Conference of Electrical Engineering Problems in the Rubber and Plastics Industries (April 1-2, 1974)(“the Eakman reference”)). In this proposal, two identical digital control systems are installed at different locations on a calender, based on the measurement of the total processing weight of the combined textile and rubber. The overall design of the control system is intended to assist the operator in operating a smaller feed bench and to provide the fastest possible control over thickness changes.

[0009] There is nothing in the Eakman reference or in the prior art that proposes the regulation of the fabric mass on a four-roll calender. Thus, the disclosed invention relates to a calendering system that makes this regulation more available, robust and responsive. It also makes it possible to have an estimation of the mass when the measurement is temporarily unavailable. These characteristics make it possible to save raw material by producing a web with a mass that is just necessary, and by avoiding the waste of meters of web whose mass is unknown. Summary of the invention

[0010] The invention relates to a calendering system which manufactures reinforced rubber plies comprising one or more reinforcements positioned between two layers of unvulcanized rubber comprising an upper skim and a lower skim, the calendering system comprising: - a first pair of cylinders comprising a pair of cylinders having an outer cylinder and a central cylinder having an air gap between them for producing the upper skim from a ribbon Ri of a rubber mixture, and a second pair of cylinders having an outer cylinder and a central cylinder having an air gap between them for producing the lower skim from a ribbon R2 of a rubber mixture; - a transfer means which transports the ribbon Ri from an extruder to a first pair of cylinders; - a transfer means which transports the ribbon R2 from one extruder to a second cylinder; - one or more actuators associated with each pair of cylinders for transmitting a clamping force to the outer and central cylinders of each pair of cylinders so that the upper and lower skims are applied at predetermined thicknesses on at least one reinforcement being run towards a predefined gap between central cylinders; and - one or more sensors having contact on the central cylinders to measure the thickness of each upper and lower skim; characterized in that the calendering system incorporates a system for regulating the mass of a sheet comprising: - a first virtual sensor which makes a preliminary prediction of a mass of sheet produced by the calendering system on the basis of the theoretical density of the rubber mixture constituting the upper and lower skims; - a second virtual sensor which performs a dynamic estimation of a density of the rubber mixture constituting the upper and lower skims; and - a third virtual sensor which obtains a sum of a measured gap between the outer and central cylinders and a measured gap between the outer and central cylinders and calculates the average ratio between the mass of the upper and lower skims and the sum of the gaps between the pairs of cylinders over the last 100 meters of the sheet produced by the calendering system; so that a prediction of the mass is obtained upstream of an actual measurement of the mass of the fabricated sheet.

[0011] In certain embodiments of the calendering system: - the preliminary prediction made by the first virtual sensor takes into account the sum of the masses of the upper and lower skims based on a measured thickness of each upper and lower skim, and a theoretical mass of the predefined reinforcement(s); - the dynamic estimation of the density of the rubber mixture carried out by the second sensor is made by storing the measured thicknesses of the upper skim and the lower skim and the weight of the last 1000 meters of the manufactured sheet, and by calculating their average ratio; and - the sums of measured spacings obtained by the third virtual sensor take into account the theoretical mass of the predefined reinforcement(s).

[0012] In some embodiments of the calendering system, the calendering system further comprises at least one proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) controller.

[0013] In some embodiments of the calendering system, the calendering system comprises: - a PID 1 regulator which receives a prediction of a mass of sheet produced by the calendering system; - a PID 2 controller to which an adjusted setpoint for the thickness of the upper skim is provided so that the PID 2 controller drives a clamping actuator associated with the pair of cylinders, which adjusts the gap between the outer cylinder and the central cylinder to obtain a mass of the upper skim within a prohibited tolerance limit; and - a PID 3 controller to which an adjusted setpoint for the thickness of the lower skim is provided, so that the PID 3 controller controls a clamping actuator associated with the second pair of cylinders, which adjusts the gap between the outer cylinder and the central cylinder of the second pair of cylinders to obtain a mass of the lower skim within a prohibited tolerance limit.

[0014] In some embodiments of the calendering system, the calendering system further comprises: - a detection system for collecting information on the physical environment around the calendering system; and - a communication network which manages the incoming data to the calendering system from the detection system, the communication network comprising at least one communication server making it possible to execute programmed instructions stored in a memory of one or more processors of the calendering system to implement the steps of a calendering cycle.

[0015] The invention also relates to an installation for manufacturing tires comprising the disclosed calendering system.

[0016] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description next. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The nature and various advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout, and in which: [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a reinforced rubber sheet. [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows a schematic view of one embodiment of a calendering system that produces reinforced rubber plies. [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents a schematic view of an embodiment of a calendering system of the invention incorporating a web mass regulation system. [Fig.4] [Fig.5] [Fig.6] Figures 4, 5 and 6 represent respective schematic views of the virtual sensors of the calendering system of [Fig.3]. Detailed description

[0018] Referring to the figures, in which like numbers identify like elements, [Fig. 3] shows an embodiment of a calendering system (or "system") 100' of the invention incorporating a system for regulating the mass of a ply. The system 100' carries out a calendering cycle to form plies of reinforced rubber (for example, such as the ply 10 shown in [Fig. 1]). At the end of the calendering cycle, one or more plies may be produced, these being able to serve, for example, as a carcass ply or a crown ply intended to reinforce a crown of a tire, lower than the tread. It is understood that the system 100' may be part of a tire manufacturing installation.

[0019] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the system 100' includes all of the elements of the calendering system 100 described above with respect to [Fig.2]. Thus, like numbers identify like elements. It is understood that the calendering system 100 could be selected from commercially available calendering systems.

[0020] The output plies of the system 100 comprise various types of rubber mixtures with reinforcing yarns (or "reinforcements") integrated into the rubber material. Examples of suitable yarns include, without limitation, UHT type micro alloy carbon steel yarns (0.9% carbon and 0.2% chromium) having a breaking strength (Rm) of the order of 3650 MPa (breaking force of 258 N) and a total elongation at break (At) of 2.3% (Rm and At being measured under tension in accordance with ISO 15 6892 of 1984). Each wire may be any individual steel reinforcement having a cross-sectional dimension (either diameter or thickness) greater than 100 qm. The wires may have any suitable cross-sectional geometry.

[0021] A rubber layer (or "skim") used in a calendering cycle performed by the system 100 comprises a conventional rubber-based composition for calendering sheets, and its thickness can be adapted to the product in which it will be placed (for example, in a belt). Each skim can be manufactured from a diene elastomer, that is to say from any elastomer derived at least in part from diene monomer. This diene elastomer may be selected from polybutadienes (BR), natural rubber (NR), synthetic polyisoprenes (IR), butadiene copolymers, isoprene copolymers and blends of these elastomers, such copolymers being selected from butadiene-styrene copolymers (SBR), isoprene-butadiene copolymers (BIR), isoprene-styrene copolymers (SIR), and isoprene butadiene-styrene copolymers (SBIR).A rubber compound selected for skimming may contain one or more diene elastomers as well as one or more additives commonly used in rubber matrices for tire manufacturing. Such fillers include, but are not limited to, carbon black, silica, coupling agents, anti-aging agents, antioxidants, plasticizers, extender oils, plasticizing resins having a high glass transition temperature (above 30°C), agents improving the processability of raw compositions, tackifying resins, anti-reversion agents, methylene acceptors and donors, reinforcing resins, known adhesion promoter systems of the metal salt type and a crosslinking or vulcanizing system. A person skilled in the art knows how to adjust the formulation of the rubber compound so as to obtain the desired properties for a specific tire.

[0022] Referring further to Figures 2 and 3, the calendering system 100' may include a sensing system (not shown) for collecting information about the physical environment around the calendering system. The sensing system includes one or more sensors that may include one or more cameras configured to perform two-dimensional (2D) and / or three-dimensional (3D) image sensing, 3D depth sensing, and / or other types of sensing of the physical environment around the system 100' (it is understood that the terms "sensor" and "camera" are used interchangeably). In embodiments of the system 100', the sensing system may include a motion capture device selected from infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, and / or other devices. equivalent positives. In these embodiments, the system 100' learns the gaps between the central cylinders 102b, 104b that achieve the pressures necessary to achieve the predetermined thicknesses of the upper and lower skims SSUp, S1NF. In the embodiments of the system 100' shown in [Fig. 3], the sensor(s) of the detection system include the sensors positioned in proximity to the central cylinders 102b, 104b (as described above with respect to [Fig. 2]). As used herein, the term "sensor" includes one or more sensors.

[0023] It is understood that one or more sensors may include one or more programming modes, including by learning, for feeding, modifying and training at least one neural network. Although the embodiments are described herein with respect to the use of one or more neural networks (e.g., convolutional neural networks, or "CNN") as a machine learning model, other types of machine learning models may be used.

[0024] The detection system may determine information about the physical environment around the system 100' that may be used by a control system (the control system comprising, for example, software for scheduling hot mix feed to the first pair of rolls 102 and / or the second pair of rolls 104). Using the obtained data, the control system may cause the rolls to be clamped to ensure an expected web mass of the calendering processes.

[0025] Referring again to Figures 2 and 3, the system 100' comprises at least one proportional, integral and derivative (or "PID") type regulator. PID is well known for its use in applications where the precise maintenance of a variable (here, the mass of the sheet) is required. PID regulators are generally implemented digitally on dedicated microprocessors. The output of the manipulated variable is a sum of the proportional term (being the difference between the measured value and the setpoint value), the integral term (being a component which provides a notion of integration time to the correction, this action making it possible to stabilize the proportional action over time) and the derivative term (being a component which makes it possible to anticipate the response of the regulation in the event of a rapid disturbance or change in setpoint, which improves the stability of the system.

[0026] Thus, the desired state represented by the electrical current of an actuator associated with at least one of the first cylinder pair 102 and the second cylinder pair 104, which is the corresponding desired position, is the set point. The set point is compared to the current position of a corresponding actuator to determine if there is a difference or error. Additional adjustments are made to adjust the relevant actuator (e.g., to adjust an air flow rate compressed to a pneumatic actuator) so as to reduce the margin between the set point and the variable (i.e., the error). The measured position feedback of the actuator can be considered the process variable, while the slick mass can be considered the manipulated variable.

[0027] As shown in [Fig. 3], the system 100' comprises a PID controller 1 which receives a predicted slick mass, a PID controller 2 to which an adjusted setpoint for the thickness of the upper skim SSUp is provided, and a PID controller 3 to which an adjusted setpoint for the thickness of the lower skim S^p is provided. The PID controller 2 controls a clamping actuator associated with the first pair of cylinders 102, which adjusts the gap between the outer cylinder 102a and the central cylinder 102b to obtain a mass of the upper skim Ssup within a prohibited tolerance limit. The PID controller 3 controls a clamping actuator associated with the second pair of cylinders 104, which adjusts the gap between the outer cylinder 104a and the central cylinder 104b to obtain a mass of the lower skim SiNF within a prohibited tolerance limit.

[0028] The system 100' also uses one or more sensors of the "soft sensor" type, the idea of ​​which is to estimate a physical quantity that is difficult to measure using other quantities that are easier to measure. The modeling can be done using a mathematical model built on data (for example, by learning) and / or a physical model. In this case, the quantity that is difficult to measure is the mass of the web since, in current calendering systems, its sensor is located well downstream of the manufacture of the web and this sensor is sometimes temporarily unavailable. The mass of the web is likely to be estimated using the history of the clamping data between the respective pairs of cylinders, the thickness of each skim and the measured masses. In addition to improving the regulation of the mass, these virtual sensors make it possible to validate that the product has a mass that complies with the quality specifications even when its mass has not been measured.

[0029] Referring again to Figures 2 and 3 and further to Figures 4 to 6, the system 100' improves the regulation of the mass of a manufactured sheet thanks to three (3) virtual sensors (or "soft sensors"). An intelligent combination of these three virtual sensors makes it possible to make the regulation of the sheet mass more robust, more available and more responsive.

[0030] Referring to [Fig.4], a first virtual sensor of the system 100' makes a preliminary prediction of the slick mass based on the theoretical density of the mixture constituting the upper and lower skims Ssup, SiNF. Knowing the theoretical density of the mixture, this preliminary prediction takes into account the sum of the masses of the upper and lower skims Ssup, SiNF based on the respective thickness of each skim. This prediction takes into account also the theoretical mass of the reinforcement(s) 200 which includes a known constant parameter (this parameter being provided by the reinforcement suppliers). The theoretical density of the mixture can vary depending on the types of mixtures chosen to constitute the upper and lower skims SSUp, S1NF.

[0031] Referring to [Fig.5], a second virtual sensor of the system 100' performs a dynamic estimation of the density of the mixture constituting the upper and lower skims SSUp, S1NF. This estimation is made by storing the thickness measurements (being the measured thickness of the upper skim SSUp and the measured thickness of the lower skim S1NF) and weight of the last 1000 meters of manufactured product, and by calculating their average ratio. As a result, a very accurate prediction of the mass is made since it adapts to the variations in the density of the mixture and also to the measurement biases of the thicknesses of the skims and to the deviations between the theoretical mass and the actual mass of the reinforcements. Nevertheless, it is dependent on the measurement of the thickness of each skim. For this reason, the prediction of the mass is not possible when the measurement of the thicknesses of the skims is inactive (even temporarily).

[0032] Referring to [Fig.6], a third virtual sensor of the system 100' has been developed which obtains a sum of a measured spacing between the outer and central cylinders 102a, 102b of the first pair of cylinders 102 (represented by a measured tightening of the upper skim Ssup,) and a measured spacing between the outer and central cylinders 104a, 104b of the second pair of cylinders 104 (represented by a measured tightening of the lower skim S1NF). This sum is taken into account together with the known theoretical mass of the reinforcement(s) 200. The principle is that of the second virtual sensor in that this third virtual sensor calculates the average ratio between the mass of the upper and lower skims SSUp, S1NF and the sum of the spacings between the pairs of cylinders 102, 104 over the last 100 meters of the manufactured sheet. As a result, a mass prediction is obtained prior to an actual measurement of the mass of the fabricated sheet.This prediction is assured even if the measurement of the mass and / or the measurement of the thicknesses of the skims is temporarily unavailable.

[0033] The system 100' may perform a calendering cycle by the control of the PLC (including its pre-programming of management information). For example, a cycle setting may be associated with the expected regulated mass for the current calendering cycle. The system 100' (and / or a tire manufacturing facility incorporating the system 100') may readily repeat one or more steps of one or more calendering processes forming part of the cycle in a determined order to ensure calendering of a ply that has the predicted parameters.

[0034] To implement a calendering cycle, the system 100' includes a communications network (or "network") that manages incoming data to the system. various sources (e.g., from the pairs of cylinders 102, 104 and associated detection systems). The communication network incorporates one or more communication servers (or "servers") each comprising one or more processors operatively connected to a memory. The one or more processors include an analysis application execution module that performs the processing of incoming data to the system 100', the one or more processors of which are capable of executing programmed instructions stored in the memory to perform the steps of the calendering cycle.

[0035] The term "processor" (or, alternatively, the term "programmable logic circuit") refers to one or more devices capable of processing and analyzing data and including one or more software programs for processing them (e.g., one or more integrated circuits known to those skilled in the art as being included in a computer, one or more controllers, one or more microcontrollers, one or more microcomputers, one or more programmable logic controllers (or "PLCs"), one or more application-specific integrated circuits, one or more neural networks, and / or one or more other known equivalent programmable circuits). The processor includes one or more software programs for processing the data captured by the detection system as well as one or more software programs for identifying and locating variances and identifying their sources to correct them.

[0036] In the system 100', the memory may include both volatile and non-volatile memory devices. The non-volatile memory may include solid-state memories, such as NAND flash memory, "keep-alive" memory (or "KAM") for saving various operating variables while the processor is powered off, magnetic and optical storage media, or any other suitable data storage device that retains data when the system 100' (or a portion of the system 100') is powered off or loses power. The volatile memory may include static and dynamic RAM that stores program instructions and data, including a learning application.

[0037] The system 100' (and / or a tire manufacturing facility incorporating the system 100') may include preprogramming of management information. For example, a setting of a calendering cycle may be associated with the parameters of the compounds chosen to manufacture the upper and lower skims SSUp, S1NF. In embodiments of the invention, the system 100' (and / or a tire manufacturing facility incorporating the system 100') may receive voice commands or other audio data representing, for example, a start or stop of calendering and / or a feeding of a first pair of cylinders 102 and / or a second pair of cylinders 104. A request may be made that includes a request for the current status of a running calendering cycle. A generated response can be represented audibly, visually, tactilely (e.g., using a haptic interface), and / or virtually and / or augmentedly. This response, combined with the corresponding data, can be stored in a neural network.

[0038] For all embodiments of the system 100', a monitoring system could be implemented. At least part of the monitoring system may be provided in a portable device such as a mobile network device (e.g., a mobile phone, a laptop, one or more network-connected portable devices (including "augmented reality" and / or "virtual reality" devices), network-connected wearable clothing / jewelry, and / or any combinations and / or equivalents). It is conceivable that detection and comparison steps may be performed iteratively.

[0039] In one embodiment, the system 100' may be trained to recognize values ​​representative of the regulated web masses and to adjust the parameters of the system 100' in response to a deviation between the expected web masses and the measured web masses (for example, to perform a tightening control of the gap between the rolls 102a, 102b and / or between the rolls 104a, 104b). This training may include a classification generated by self-learning means. This classification may include, without limitation, the parameters of the selected mixtures, the durations of the calendering cycles and the expected values ​​at the end of a calendering cycle in progress (for example, the manufactured web mass meets a predefined setpoint).

[0040] The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably. Ranges that are presented as being "between a and b" encompass the values ​​"a" and "b".

[0041] Although particular embodiments of the disclosed apparatus have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various changes, additions, and modifications may be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, no limitations should be imposed on the scope of the disclosed invention except those set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims

1. A calendering system (100') which manufactures reinforced rubber plies comprising one or more reinforcements (200) positioned between two layers of unvulcanized rubber comprising an upper skim (S sup) and a lower skim (SiNF), the calendering system comprising: - a first pair of cylinders (102) comprising an outer cylinder (102a) and a central cylinder (102b) having an air gap therebetween for producing the upper skim (Ssup) from a ribbon Ri of a rubber mixture, and a second pair of cylinders (104) comprising an outer cylinder (104a) and a central cylinder (104b) having an air gap therebetween for producing the lower skim (S^f) from a ribbon R2 of a rubber mixture; - a transfer means (106) which transports the ribbon Ri from an extruder to the first pair of cylinders (102); - a transfer means (108) which transports the ribbon R2 from an extruder to the second pair of cylinders (104); - one or more actuators associated with each pair of cylinders (102, 104) for transmitting a clamping force to the outer (102a, 104a) and central (102b, 104b) cylinders so that the upper and lower skims (SSUp, S inf) are applied at predetermined thicknesses on at least one reinforcement (200) being scrolled towards a predefined gap between central cylinders (102b, 104b); and - one or more sensors having contact on the central cylinders (102b, 104b) to measure the thickness of each upper and lower skim (S SUP, Sinf); characterized in that the calendering system (100') incorporates a system for regulating the mass of a sheet comprising: - a first virtual sensor which makes a preliminary prediction of a mass of sheet produced by the calendering system (100') on the basis of the theoretical density of the rubber mixture constituting the upper and lower skims (SSUp, S1NF); - a second virtual sensor which performs a dynamic estimation of a density of the rubber mixture constituting the upper and lower skims (SSUp, S^p); and - a third virtual sensor which obtains a sum of a measured spacing between the outer and central cylinders (102a, 102b) and a measured spacing between the outer and central cylinders (104a, 104b) and calculates the average ratio between the mass of the upper and lower skims (SSup, S^p) and the sum of the spacings between the pairs of cylinders (102, 104) over the last 100 meters of the sheet produced by the calendering system (100'); so that a prediction of the mass is obtained upstream of an actual measurement of the mass of the sheet produced.

2. The calendering system (100) of claim 1, wherein: - the preliminary prediction made by the first virtual sensor takes into account the sum of the masses of the upper and lower skims (SSUp, S 1NF) based on a measured thickness of each upper and lower skim (SSUp, S1NF), and a theoretical mass of the predefined reinforcement(s) (200); - the dynamic estimation of the density of the rubber mixture made by the second sensor is made by storing the measured thicknesses of the upper skim and the lower skim (Ssup, Sinf) and the weight of the last 1000 meters of the manufactured ply, and by calculating their average ratio; and - the sums of measured spacings obtained by the third virtual sensor take into account the theoretical mass of the predefined reinforcement(s) (200).

3. The calendering system (100') of claim 2, further comprising at least one proportional, integral, and derivative (PID) type controller.

4. The calendering system (100') of claim 3, comprising: - a PID controller 1 which receives a prediction of a web mass produced by the calendering system (100'); - a PID controller 2 to which an adjusted setpoint for the thickness of the upper skim (SSup) is provided so that the PID controller 2 drives a clamping actuator associated with the first pair of cylinders (102), which adjusts the gap between the outer cylinder (102a) and the central cylinder (102b) of the first pair of cylinders (102) to obtain a mass of the upper skim (SSup) within a prohibited tolerance limit;and - a PID 3 controller to which an adjusted setpoint for the thickness of the lower skim (SiNF) is provided, so that the PID 3 controller drives a clamping actuator associated with the second pair of cylinders (104), which adjusts the gap between the outer cylinder (104a) and the central cylinder (104b) of the second pair of cylinders (102), to obtain a mass of the lower skim (SiNF) within a prohibited tolerance limit.;

5. The calendering system (100') of any preceding claim, further comprising: - a detection system for collecting information about the physical environment around the calendering system; and - a communication network that manages incoming data to the calendering system from the detection system, the communication network comprising at least one communication server for executing programmed instructions stored in a memory of one or more processors of the calendering system to implement the steps of a calendering cycle.

6. A plant for manufacturing tires comprising the calendering system (100') of any one of claims 1 to 5.