Method and cutting device for cutting a tire component assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a cutting device for cutting a tire component assembly, wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component and a first cordless tire component attached to the cord-reinforced tire component at a first side of said cord-reinforced tire component, wherein the method comprises the steps of : a) supporting the tire component assembly on a support surface relative to a guide path; b) moving the knife in a first cutting direction along the guide path through the cord-reinforced tire component while knife is freely rotatable about a steering axis perpendicular to the support surface; c) locking rotation of the knife about the steering axis; and d) moving the knife in the first cutting direction along the guide path through the first cordless tire component while keeping the rotation of the knife about the steering axis locked.

Description

[0001] Method and cutting device for cutting a tire component assembly

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention relates to a method and a cutting device for cutting a tire component assembly .

[0004] Some tire components , such as breaker plies , body plies or chafers , are reinforced by embedding cords in elastomeric material of the tire component . Each cord may comprises a plurality of twisted subcords . The cords extend in a cord direction at an oblique cord angle to the longitudinal direction of the tire component . The cords are exposed at the longitudinal edges of the tire component . The tire component is cut to length in a direction parallel to the cord direction using a knife . When cutting into the tire component from one of the longitudinal edge, there is a chance that the knife may start its cut exactly at the location where one of the cords is exposed, thereby splitting the subcords and trapping the knife between the subcords . This potentially damages the tire component and causes downtime .

[0005] To prevent that the knife gets stuck between the subcords , it is known to start the cut at a distance spaced from one of the longitudinal edges of the tire component, and to provide the knife with a freedom of movement in a rotation direction about a steering axis and in a lateral direction perpendicular to said steering axis . When cutting into the tire component at a distance spaced apart from said one longitudinal edge, the kni fe is less likely to split the subcords . Moreover, upon contact with one of the cords , the kni fe can steer itself away from the cord until it runs in parallel with the cord direction between two cords .

[0006] The knife cuts through the tire component up to said one longitudinal edge, reverses , and cuts through the tire component in an opposite cutting direction up to the other longitudinal edge .

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] A disadvantage of the known method is that the kni fe passes twice through the part of the tire component between start of the cut and said one longitudinal edge . This is not really an issue when the kni fe cuts through the cord-reinforced tire component only . The cords will keep the knife in its original cutting path . However, when a tire component assembly contains both a cord-reinforced tire component and at least one cordless tire component at one of the longitudinal edges of the cord-reinforced tire component, the knife may divert or veer off course when cutting through the cordless tire component only, thereby creating an inaccurate or inconsistent cut .

[0009] Moreover, when the knife is subsequently reversed and travels back through the tire component in an opposite cutting direction up to the other longitudinal edge , the kni fe may no longer be on its original cutting path and create a new cut alongside the initial cut . The knife may even re-enter the cord-reinforced tire component between a dif ferent pair of cords . The initial cut remains incomplete and may cause quality issues when the tire component assembly is used for building a green tire .

[0010] It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide a method and a cutting device for cutting a tire component assembly, wherein the accuracy, consistency and / or quality of the cutting can be improved .

[0011] According to a first aspect , the invention provides a method for cutting a tire component assembly using a cutting device , wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component and a first cordless tire component attached to the cord-reinforced tire component at a first side of said cord-reinforced tire component , wherein the cutting device comprises a kni fe and a cutting guide for guiding the knife along a guide path intersecting with both the cord-reinforced tire component and the first cordless tire component , wherein the method comprises the steps of : a) supporting the tire component assembly on a support surface relative to the guide path; b) moving the knife in a first cutting direction along the guide path through the cord-reinforced tire component while the knife is freely rotatable relative to the cutting guide about a steering axis perpendicular to the support surface ; c) locking rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis relative to the cutting guide ; and d) moving the kni fe in the first cutting direction along the guide path through the first cordless tire component while keeping the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis locked .

[0012] As the knife is still freely rotatable in step b) , the knife has sufficient freedom of movement to find its way along the cords without splitting the subcords . After the initial movement of the knife in step b) , the rotation of the knife can be locked to maintain the knife in the same or substantially the same orientation about the steering axis . Moreover, by keeping the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis locked in step d) , the freedom of movement of the kni fe can be restricted or limited when the knife travels through the first cordless tire component . The knife is therefore less likely to divert or veer of f course relative to the initial movement of the knife in step b ) . In a preferred embodiment the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis is locked in step c) prior to, during or after the knife transitions in the first cutting direction from the cord-reinforced tire component into the first cordless tire component . When locking the rotation prior to the or during the transition, it can be ensured that the orientation of the kni fe is locked when the kni fe is still at least partially in the cord- reinforced tire component, thereby reducing the chances of the knife already diverting or veering of f course during said transition . On the other hand, when the rotation is locked shortly after the transition, the knife can be kept freely rotatable for as long as possible when the kni fe is still in the cord-reinforced tire component .

[0013] In another embodiment the method further comprises the step of : e ) reversing movement of the knife along the guide path while keeping the rotation of the knife about the steering axis locked; f ) moving the kni fe in a second cutting direction opposite to the first cutting direction along the guide path through the first cordless tire component while keeping the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis locked; g) unlocking the rotation of the knife about the steering axis relative to the cutting guide ; and h) moving the knife in the second cutting direction along the guide path through the cord-reinforced tire component while the knife is freely rotatable about the steering axis relative to the cutting guide .

[0014] By keeping the rotation of the kni fe locked in steps e ) and f ) , the kni fe is less likely to divert or veer off course during the reversal and the returning movement . Moreover, the knife is more likely to return through the slit that was initially formed by the knife in steps b) and d) .

[0015] Preferably, the wherein the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis is unlocked in step g) prior to , during or after the knife transitions in the second cutting direction from the first cordless tire component into the cord-reinforced tire component . Unlocking the rotation prior to the transition back into the cord-reinforced tire component allows for the knife to follow the path of least resistance back into the cord-reinforced tire component , which most likely corresponds to the slit that has already been created by the kni fe in step b ) . On the other hand, unlocking the rotation during or after the transition back into the cord-reinforced tire component ensures that the kni fe is already partially in the cord-reinforced tire component and therefore less likely to divert or veer off course as a result of the cords in said cord-reinforced tire component .

[0016] In a further embodiment the movement of the knife in steps b) and d) creates a first slit in the tire component assembly in the first cutting direction, wherein the kni fe is reversed in step e ) and moved in step f ) in the second cutting direction through the first slit . Hence , it can effectively be prevented that the reversed movement of the kni fe through the first cordless tire component creates a different slit than the first slit .

[0017] Preferably, the knife is moved in step h) at least partially through the first slit . Hence , it can effectively be prevented that the reversed movement of the kni fe through the first cordless tire component and the cord-reinforced tire component creates a di fferent slit than the first slit .

[0018] More preferably, the cord-reinforced tire component comprises a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first slit starts at a start position along the guide path between and spaced apart from the first side and the second side, wherein the movement of the kni fe in step h) creates a second slit in the tire component assembly, continuous with the first slit and extending from the start position in the second cutting direction . The first slit and the second slit can together form a single or continuous cut through the tire component assembly .

[0019] More preferably, the tire component assembly comprises a second cordless tire component attached to the cord-reinforced tire component at the second side, wherein the method further comprises the step of : j ) moving the knife in the second cutting direction along the guide path through the second cordless tire component . Hence, both cordless tire components can be cut along with same single or continuous cut .

[0020] Most preferably, the method, between steps h) and j ) , further comprises the step of : i ) locking rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis relative to the cutting guide ; wherein the knife is moved in step j ) while keeping the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis locked . Similarly to the locked rotation in step d) , the locked rotation in step j ) can restrict the freedom of movement of the kni fe when the knife travels through the second cordless tire component . The knife is therefore less likely to divert or veer off course relative to the movement of the kni fe in step h) .

[0021] In another embodiment the knife is movable relative to the cutting guide in a lateral direction perpendicular to the guide path and the steering axis . By providing freedom of movement to the kni fe in the lateral direction, the kni fe can follow the direction of the cords in the cord-reinforced tire component in case the cords are not fully aligned with the guide path .

[0022] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of : k) centering the knife in the lateral direction relative to a center position after cutting has been completed . In this way, it can be prevented that the kni fe is displaced further in the lateral direction with each cut . Instead, the position of the knife in the lateral direction can be reset after each cut . This embodiment may be applied independently of the locking and unlocking of the rotation of the knife .

[0023] More preferably, the kni fe is lifted during step k) in a lifting direction parallel to the steering axis and away from the support surface, wherein the cutting device comprises one or more centering guides for urging the knife towards the center position when the kni fe is lifted in the lifting direction . Hence , the kni fe can be automatically moved towards the center position upon lifting of the kni fe .

[0024] In another embodiment the knife is a disc cutter . The disc cutter can effectively cut in both cutting directions .

[0025] In another embodiment the cord-reinforced tire component is a chafer, preferably a steel chafer . The chafer comprises cords , in particular steel cords . Alternatively, the cord-reinforced tire component may be a breaker ply or a body ply .

[0026] In another embodiment the first cordless tire component and / or the second cordless tire component are gum strips . Gum strips are typically applied to the longitudinal edges of the cord-reinforced tire component to cover the exposed sharp ends of the cords , to prevent or reduce air inclusions with subsequently applied layers , and / or to extend over said longitudinal edges to cover further edges of any lower layers of the tire component assembly . For this purpose , the gum strips are made of a cordless elastomeric material .

[0027] In another embodiment the support surface is planar . The support surface may for example be a cutting table or a conveyor .

[0028] In another embodiment the method further comprises the step of varying, between steps b) and d) , one or more cutting parameters of the group comprising : cutting speed, cutting force or heating . The cutting speed, the cutting force or heating may be variably adj usted depending on the dif ferences in material characteristics of the cord- reinforced tire component and the cordless tire components . For example, when one of the tire components can be cut faster or with greater force than the other, the cut may be completed faster or in a more consistent or accurate manner . Heating of the knife may cause the knife to cut and / or steer more easily through the elastomeric material of the tire components . By reducing the heat in the cordless tire components , the knife is again less likely to divert or steer off course .

[0029] According to a second aspect the invention provides a cutting device for cutting a tire component assembly, wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component and a first cordless tire component attached to the cord-reinforced tire component at a first side of said cord-reinforced tire component , wherein the cutting device comprises a knife and a cutting guide for guiding the kni fe along a guide path intersecting with both the cord-reinforced tire component and the first cordless tire component, wherein the knife is rotatable relative to the cutting guide about a steering axis , wherein the cutting device further comprises a locking member for locking and unlocking the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis and a control unit that is operationally connected to the locking member and that is configured for controlling locking and the unlocking of the rotation of the knife according to the steps of the method according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect of the invention .

[0030] The control unit is programmed, arranged and / or configured to cause the cutting device to perform the steps of the previously described method, and therefore has the same technical advantages , which will not be repeated hereafter .

[0031] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible . These individual aspects , in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims , can be made subj ect of divisional patent applications .

[0032] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings , in which : figures 1 to 6 show top views of a method for cutting a tire component assembly using a cutting device ; and figures 7 and 8 show front views of the cutting device of figures 1 to 6 during in a cutting position and reset position .

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Figures 1 to 6 show a cutting device 1 for cutting a tire component assembly 9 according to the steps of a method according to the invention .

[0036] The tire component assembly 9 comprises a cord- reinforced tire component 90 . The cord-reinforced tire component is reinforced with cords , in particular steel cords . The cords are embedded in elastomeric material during extrusion . The elastomeric material is subsequently cut at an oblique angle by a bias cutter and stitched together in a manner known per se to form a body of the cord-reinforced tire component 90 in which the cords extend at an oblique cord angle to the longitudinal direction of the cord-reinforced tire component 90 . The cords K are exposed at the longitudinal edges or sides El , E2 of the tire component .

[0037] In this example, the cord-reinforced tire component 90 is a chafer, in particular a steel chafer . Alternatively, the cord-reinforced tire component 90 may be a body ply, a breaker ply or another type of tire component with cord reinforcements .

[0038] As further shown in figure 1 , the tire component assembly 9 comprises a first cordless tire component 91 attached to the cord-reinforced tire component 90 at a first edge or a first side El of said cord-reinforced tire component 90 . In this example, the tire component assembly 9 is further provided with a second cordless tire component 92 attached to the cord-reinforced tire component 90 at a second edge or second side E2 of the cord-reinforced tire component 90 , opposite to the first side El . In this example, both cordless tire components 91 , 92 are gum strips . Each gum strip 91 , 92 comprises a body of elastomeric material that partially overlaps , covers or folds around the respective side El , E2 of the cord- reinforced tire component 90 .

[0039] The tire component assembly 9 is supplied to or provided relative to the cutting device 1 on a support surface 8 . The support surface 8 may be formed or defined by a conveyor or a cutting table . In this example , the support surface 8 is planar or substantially planar .

[0040] As shown in more detail in figures 7 and 8 , the cutting device 1 comprises a cutter or a kni fe 2 for cutting into the tire component assembly 9. In this example, the kni fe 2 is or comprises a disc cutter 20 that is rotatable about a disc axis X . Alternatively, the kni fe 2 may comprise a non-rotating cutting blade . The kni fe 2 extends in, cuts in or defines a cutting plane N . In other words , the knife 2 is configured for cutting the tire component assembly 1 in said cutting plane N .

[0041] The cutting device 1 further comprises a knife holder 3 for holding the knife 2 relative to the support surface 8 . In this example , the knife holder 3 has a forklike holding body 30 extending on opposite sides of the disc cutter 20 .

[0042] The cutting device 1 further comprises a cutting guide 4 for guiding the knife holder 3 along a guide path P . In this example , the cutting guide 4 comprises a guide rail or a guide beam 40 extending in or parallel to and / or defining the guide path P . As schematically shown in figures 1 to 6, the guide path P intersects with both the cord-reinforced tire component 90 and the first cordless tire component 91 .

[0043] As further shown in figures 7 and 8 , the cutting device 1 comprises a carriage 5 for mounting the kni fe holder 3 on or suspending the kni fe holder 3 from the cutting guide 4 . The carriage 5 comprises a li fting member 50 for li fting and lowering the knife holder 3 in a lifting direction Z perpendicular to the support surface 40 . The lifting member 50 is arranged or located between the kni fe holder 3 and the cutting guide 4 to support the knife holder 3 relative to said cutting guide 4 . In this example, the li fting member 50 is provided with a first centering surface 51 and a second centering surface 52 symmetrically tapering in the lifting direction Z relative to the cutting plane N .

[0044] The carriage 5 is further provided with a first centering guide 51 and a second centering guide 52 which are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of a midplane, a centering plane or a center position M . In this example, the center position M coincides with the guide path P . In the embodiment as shown in figures 7 and 8 , the centering guides 51 , 52 are formed by two cylinders , rods or rollers , which are configured to physically contact and deflect the centering surfaces 51 , 52 of the lifting member 50 towards the center position M when the lifting member 50 lifts the knife holder 3 and the kni fe 2 upwards in the lifting direction Z .

[0045] The carriage 5 further comprises a li fting guide 53 for guiding the li fting member 50 in the lifting direction Z . In this example, the lifting guide 53 comprises one or more guide rails .

[0046] The carriage 5 further comprises a guide shoe 54 for slidably mounting the carriage 5 to the cutting guide 4 . The guide shoe 54 is suitably shaped to allow for sliding of the carriage 5 along the cutting guide 4 parallel to or along the guide path P .

[0047] In this example, the carriage 5 is further provided with a lateral guide 55 for providing a lateral freedom of movement to the kni fe 2 and / or the knife holder 3 relative to the cutting guide 4 in a lateral direction Y perpendicular to the guide path P . In the embodiment as shown in figures 7 and 8 , the lateral guide 55 is arranged or located between the li fting guide 53 and the carriage 54 . In this example, the lateral guide 55 comprises one or more guide rails .

[0048] As shown in figure 7 and 8 , the knife 2 is rotatable ( see rotation arrow R) relative to the cutting guide 4 about a steering axis A perpendicular to the support surface 8 , the disc axis X and / or the guide path P . In particular, the cutting device 1 is provided with a hinge or a bearing H between the knife holder 3 and the lifting body 50 to allow for rotation of the knife holder 3 , and thus indirectly allow for rotation of the kni fe 2 . The range of the rotation R may optionally be limited to less than one revolution, in particular less than half a revolution an more in particular less than a quarter of a revolution . In this particular example, the rotation is limited to less than ten degrees .

[0049] The cutting device 1 further comprises a locking member 7 for locking and unlocking the rotation R of the kni fe holder 3 about the steering axis A. In this example , the locking member 7 is a brake pad 70 that applies a friction force or a braking force to the knife holder 3 , or a part associated with said knife holder 3 , to stop the kni fe holder 3 from freely rotating about the steering axis A. Alternatively, another type of friction lock or mechanical lock may be applied .

[0050] Figure 7 shows the locking member 7 in a locked configuration, with the brake pad 70 physically contacting or abutting the knife holder 3 or a part associated with said knife holder 3 . The locked configuration is schematically indicated in figure 7 with a locked padlock L . Figure 8 shows the locking member 7 in an unlocked configuration, with the brake pad 70 retracted and / or physically spaced apart from the knife holder 3 or the part associated with said knife holder 3 . The unlocked configuration is schematically indicated in figure 8 with an unlocked padlock U .

[0051] Note that , in the context of the present invention, the rotation is considered to be ' locked' when the knife holder 3 is prevented from rotating about the steering axis A under normal cutting conditions . It will be appreciated that , in case of the aforementioned brake pad, the kni fe holder 3 may still be rotatable while being ' locked' when subj ected to excessive forces , that do not occur during normal cutting operations .

[0052] As shown in figures 7 and 8 , the cutting device 1 is further provided with a control unit 100 that is functionally, electronically and / or operationally connected to the locking member 7 and that is configured for controlling locking and the unlocking of the rotation R of the knife 2 according to the steps of the method that will be described hereafter .

[0053] A method for cutting a tire component assembly 9 with the aforementioned cutting device 1 will now be briefly elucidated with reference to figures 1-8 .

[0054] Figure 1 shows the situation in which the tire component assembly 9 is supported on the support surface 8 at the location of the cutting device 1 . The knife 2 is positioned above the tire component assembly 9, for example in the raised position as shown in figure 8 . In the raised position, the knife 2 is centered in the lateral direction Y through contact between the centering surfaces 51 , 52 and the centering guides 61 , 62 . In particular, the cutting plane N is aligned with the center position M . As further shown in figure 1 , the kni fe 2 is located at a starting position S spaced apart from the first side El . The rotation R of the knife 2 is unlocked, as schematically shown with the unlocked padlock U . In the starting position S , the knife 2 is lowered to cut into the tire component assembly 1 from above .

[0055] Alternatively, the tire component assembly 1 or a part of it may be raised up and the kni fe 2 may cut into said raised part from above or from a side .

[0056] Figure 2 shows the situation in which the knife 2 has been moved in a first cutting direction DI along the guide path P through the cord-reinforced tire component 90 . During this movement , the knife holder 3 is still freely rotatable relative to the cutting guide 4 about the steering axis A, as schematically shown with the unlocked padlock U . The kni fe 2 can therefore be steered away from any cords K that are encountered at the starting position S . The knife 2 can for example be rotated slightly and simultaneously move in the lateral direction Y until the kni fe 2 is located between two cords K . After the initial shi ft in the lateral direction Y, the knife 2 may return to an orientation that is parallel or substantially parallel to the cord angle and / or the guide path P .

[0057] The movement of the knife 2 through the cord- reinforced tire component 90 creates a first cut or a first slit Cl in the tire component assembly 9 in the first cutting direction DI .

[0058] Figure 3 shows the situation in which the rotation R of the kni fe holder 3 about the steering axis A relative to the cutting guide 4 is locked, as schematically shown with the locked padlock L . The rotation R of the kni fe holder 4 about the steering axis A is locked in prior to, during or after the knife 2 transitions in the first cutting direction DI from the cord-reinforced tire component 90 into the first cordless tire component 91 .

[0059] Figure 4 shows the situation in which the knife 2 has been moved further in the first cutting direction DI along the guide path P through the first cordless tire component 91 . During this movement, the rotation R of the kni fe holder 3 about the steering axis A is kept locked, as schematically shown with the locked padlock L . The continued movement of the kni fe 2 in the first cutting direction DI extents the length of the first slit Cl .

[0060] When the knife 2 has completely cut the first cordless tire component 91 , the movement of the kni fe 2 along the guide path P is reversed from the first cutting direction DI to a second cutting direction D2 , opposite to the first cutting direction DI . During this reversal the rotation R of the kni fe holder 3 about the steering axis A is kept locked, as schematically shown with the locked padlock L . The kni fe 2 may now return in the second cutting direction D2 while remaining in or tracing the first slit Cl .

[0061] Figure 5 shows the situation in which the knife 2 has been moved in a second cutting direction D2 opposite to the first cutting direction DI along the guide path P through the first cordless tire component 91 . Initially, the rotation R of the knife holder 3 about the steering axis A remains locked . However, the rotation R of the kni fe holder 4 about the steering axis A is unlocked in prior to, during or after the kni fe 2 transitions in the second cutting direction D2 from the first cordless tire component 91 into the cord-reinforced tire component 90 , as shown schematically with the unlocked padlock U . With the rotation of the knife 2 being unlocked, the kni fe 2 can follow the path of least resistance, which the guide path P through the first slit Cl .

[0062] Figure 6 shows the situation in which the knife 2 has been moved further in the second cutting direction DI along the guide path P through the cord-reinforced tire component 90 beyond the starting point S and subsequently through the second cordless tire component 92 at the second side E2 of the cord-reinforced tire component 90 . The continued movement of the knife 2 in the second cutting direction D2 beyond the starting point S creates a second cut or a second slit C2 that is continuous with the first slit Cl . The knife holder 3 is freely rotatable about the steering axis A relative to the cutting guide 4 for at least a part of its movement through the cord-reinforced tire component 90 , as schematically shown with the unlocked padlock U .

[0063] Optionally, when moving the knife 2 in the second cutting direction D2 along the guide path P through the second cordless tire component 92 , the rotation R of the kni fe holder 3 about the steering axis A relative to the cutting guide 4 can be locked again, as schematically shown with the locked padlock L .

[0064] When the knife 2 completes the cut through the second cordless tire component 92 , the kni fe 2 may be lifted into the position as shown in figure 8 .

[0065] As shown by comparing figures 7 and 8 , during the lifting, any of fset in the position of the kni fe 2 in the lateral direction Y relative to a center position M can be corrected, reset or centered . In particular, when the knife holder 3 is lifted in the li fting direction Z , the contact between the centering surfaces 51 , 52 and the centering guides 61 , 62 will automatically deflect , force or urge the kni fe holder 3 towards the center position M .

[0066] Optionally, the knife 2 may be heated during the cutting to reduce cutting resistance and / or improve the steering capability of the kni fe 2 about the steering axis A. Moreover, the method optionally comprises the step of varying one or more cutting parameters of the group comprising : cutting speed, cutting force or heating during the cutting . The cutting speed, the cutting force or heating may be variably adj usted depending on the dif ferences in material characteristics of the cord- reinforced tire component 90 and the cordless tire components 91 , 92 .

[0067] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention . From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention .

[0068] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0069] 1 cutting device

[0070] 2 kni fe

[0071] 20 disc cutter

[0072] 3 kni fe holder

[0073] 30 holding body

[0074] 4 cutting guide

[0075] 40 guide beam

[0076] 50 lifting member

[0077] 51 first centering surface

[0078] 52 second centering surface

[0079] 53 lifting guide

[0080] 54 carriage

[0081] 55 lateral guide

[0082] 61 first centering guide

[0083] 62 second centering guide

[0084] 7 locking member

[0085] 70 brake pad

[0086] 8 support surface

[0087] 9 tire component assembly

[0088] 90 cord-reinforced tire component

[0089] 91 first cordless tire component

[0090] 92 second cordless tire component

[0091] 100 control unit

[0092] A steering axis

[0093] Cl first slit

[0094] C2 second slit

[0095] DI first cutting direction

[0096] D2 second cutting direction

[0097] El first side E2 second side

[0098] H hinge

[0099] L locked condition

[0100] K cords M center position

[0101] N cutting plane

[0102] P guide path

[0103] R rotation

[0104] S start position U unlocked condition

[0105] X disc axis

[0106] Y lateral direction

[0107] Z lifting direction

Claims

C L A I M S1 . Method for cutting a tire component assembly using a cutting device , wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component and a first cordless tire component attached to the cord-reinforced tire component at a first side of said cord-reinforced tire component , wherein the cutting device comprises a kni fe and a cutting guide for guiding the knife along a guide path intersecting with both the cord-reinforced tire component and the first cordless tire component , wherein the method comprises the steps of : a) supporting the tire component assembly on a support surface relative to the guide path; b) moving the knife in a first cutting direction along the guide path through the cord-reinforced tire component while the knife is freely rotatable relative to the cutting guide about a steering axis perpendicular to the support surface ; c) locking rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis relative to the cutting guide ; and d) moving the kni fe in the first cutting direction along the guide path through the first cordless tire component while keeping the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis locked .2 . Method according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the knife about the steering axis is locked in step c) prior to, during or after the kni fe transitions in the first cutting direction from the cord-reinforced tire component into the first cordless tire component .3 . Method according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the method further comprises the step of : e ) reversing movement of the knife along the guide path while keeping the rotation of the knife aboutthe steering axis locked; f ) moving the kni fe in a second cutting direction opposite to the first cutting direction along the guide path through the first cordless tire component while keeping the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis locked; g) unlocking the rotation of the knife about the steering axis relative to the cutting guide ; and h) moving the knife in the second cutting direction along the guide path through the cord-reinforced tire component while the knife is freely rotatable about the steering axis relative to the cutting guide .4 . Method according to claim 3 , wherein the wherein the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis is unlocked in step g) prior to , during or after the kni fe transitions in the second cutting direction from the first cordless tire component into the cord-reinforced tire component .

5. Method according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the movement of the knife in steps b) and d) creates a first slit in the tire component assembly in the first cutting direction, wherein the knife is reversed in step e ) and moved in step f ) in the second cutting direction through the first slit .

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the kni fe is moved in step h) at least partially through the first slit .7 . Method according to claim 6, wherein the cord-reinforced tire component comprises a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the first slit starts at a start position along the guide path between and spaced apart from the first side and the second side, wherein the movement of the knife in step h) creates a second slit in the tire component assembly, continuous with the first slit and extending from the start position in the second cutting direction .8 . Method according to claim 7 , wherein the tirecomponent assembly comprises a second cordless tire component attached to the cord-reinforced tire component at the second side , wherein the method further comprises the step of : j ) moving the knife in the second cutting direction along the guide path through the second cordless tire component .

9. Method according to claim 8 , wherein the method, between steps h) and j ) , further comprises the step of : i ) locking rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis relative to the cutting guide ; wherein the knife is moved in step j ) while keeping the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis locked .10 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the knife is movable relative to the cutting guide in a lateral direction perpendicular to the guide path and the steering axis .11 . Method according to claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises the step of : k) centering the knife in the lateral direction relative to a center position after cutting has been completed .12 . Method according to claim 11 , wherein the kni fe is li fted during step k) in a lifting direction parallel to the steering axis and away from the support surface, wherein the cutting device comprises one or more centering guides for urging the knife towards the center position when the knife is lifted in the li fting direction .13 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the knife is a disc cutter .14 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the cord-reinforced tire component is a chafer, preferably a steel chafer, a body ply or a breaker ply -15. Method according to any one of the precedingclaims , wherein the first cordless tire component is a gum strip .

16. Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the second cordless tire component is a gum strip .17 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the support surface is planar .18 . Method according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the method further comprises the step of varying, between steps b) and d) , one or more cutting parameters of the group comprising : cutting speed, cutting force or heating .

19. Cutting device for cutting a tire component assembly, wherein the tire component assembly comprises a cord-reinforced tire component and a first cordless tire component attached to the cord-reinforced tire component at a first side of said cord-reinforced tire component , wherein the cutting device comprises a kni fe and a cutting guide for guiding the knife along a guide path intersecting with both the cord-reinforced tire component and the first cordless tire component, wherein the knife is rotatable relative to the cutting guide about a steering axis , wherein the cutting device further comprises a locking member for locking and unlocking the rotation of the kni fe about the steering axis and a control unit that is operationally connected to the locking member and that is configured for controlling locking and the unlocking of the rotation of the knife according to the steps of the method according to any one of the preceding claims .-o-o-o-o-o- o-o-o-RM / HZ

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