Selective Laser Melted Tire Vulcanizing Mold with Integrated Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vulcanization molds for vehicle tires, manufactured using the milling process, are expensive and complex to clean, making them unsuitable for series production due to the need for disassembly and reassembly, which leads to inefficiencies in air venting and potential air inclusions in the tire.
Innovation Solution
The selective laser melting process is used to create coherent mold surfaces with integrated ventilation gaps, eliminating the need for additional venting mechanisms and simplifying the cleaning process by building ventilation slots simultaneously with the mold surface, reducing production costs and maintenance efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the milling process is used to manufacture vulcanization molds, then the mold surfaces can be produced with precise geometry, but the production cost increases and the cleaning process becomes complex requiring disassembly and reassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mold surface and ventilation gaps into a single integrated component manufactured by selective laser melting. Instead of separately manufacturing the mold surface and adding venting mechanisms, the SLM process creates both features in one monolithic structure, eliminating assembly steps and simplifying cleaning while maintaining precise geometry through digital modeling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical milling process with selective laser melting technology. This substitution transitions from mechanical cutting to additive manufacturing, enabling complex geometries including internal ventilation channels to be created directly without tooling, thereby reducing production costs and simplifying the overall manufacturing process
2Reliability
If conventional venting mechanisms are used in vulcanization molds, then air can be discharged from the mold cavity, but the venting channels become complex and prone to soiling and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ventilation function directly into the mold surface structure itself. The ventilation gaps are integrated as narrow channels within the negative profile elements of the mold surface, eliminating the need for separate venting mechanisms. This integration simplifies the overall structure while ensuring reliable air discharge during vulcanization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating narrow ventilation gaps (50-120 μm wide) specifically within the negative profile elements where air trapping is most problematic. The venting capability is localized to the tread pattern areas rather than requiring complex global venting systems, thereby simplifying the overall design while maintaining effective air discharge
3Reliability
If milled molds with puzzle-piece assembly are used, then deaerating performance is improved with increased gap lengths, but the cleaning process requires disassembly and reassembly reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mold segments into a single monolithic structure manufactured by selective laser melting. This eliminates the puzzle-piece assembly requirement while maintaining the ventilation gap functionality. The integrated structure can be cleaned as one piece without disassembly, dramatically improving cleaning efficiency and productivity for series production
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method results in a cost-effective, easily maintainable vulcanization mold with improved air venting capabilities, reducing air inclusions and sprouting issues, and allowing for faster cleaning and series production readiness.
Implementation Method 1
The metal powder is completely remelted locally using laser radiation and forms a solid layer of material after it has solidified
Implementation Method 2
The selective laser melting process is used to create coherent mold surfaces with integrated ventilation gaps
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vulcanizing mold (1) for vehicle tires, wherein the vulcanizing mold has several profile segments (2) that can be moved together to form a circumferentially closed shape, each profile segment (2) having a radially internal mold surface (3) with a negative tread profile with negative profile elements (6) for forming the positive tread profile with positive profile elements of the vehicle tire to be vulcanized. Narrow venting slots (9) are arranged within the negative profile elements (3) for releasing air from the mold cavity, and the mold surfaces (3) together with the venting slots (9) are manufactured by the selective laser melting process. The invention also relates to a vulcanizing mold (4) for vehicle tires manufactured according to this method.