Unvulcanized Rubber Surface Marking for Traceable Tire Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking process parameters in rubber product manufacturing, particularly in tire production, are inadequate due to the difficulty in correlating extrusion process parameters with the resulting product, especially for unvulcanized rubber, which complicates quality control and defect analysis, and often require visible markings that can impair vulcanization or product appearance.
Innovation Solution
Applying machine-readable markings, such as QR codes, via depressions created on the surface of unvulcanized rubber products using material-removing processes, ensuring the markings disappear after vulcanization without affecting the product's appearance or properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visible markings (paint or stickers) are applied to unvulcanized rubber products for tracking, then process information can be documented, but the markings can locally impair vulcanization and subsequent bonding with other tire components
Solution Approach 1:
The marking information is extracted from the rubber product surface and transferred to a separate data carrier (such as a barcode label or RFID tag) that can be removed or independently tracked. This separates the tracking function from the rubber product itself, eliminating the need for markings on the vulcanizable surface.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary data carrier (barcode label, RFID tag, or similar tracking device) is introduced between the extrusion process and the rubber product. This intermediary stores and transmits process information without physically contacting or marking the rubber product, thus not interfering with vulcanization or bonding.
2Loss of information
If mechanical marking methods are used on unvulcanized rubber products, then process information can be recorded, but macroscopic irregularities reduce bond strength with other tire components
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical marking system (embossing, stamping, or physical deformation) is replaced with non-contact marking methods such as laser coding, barcode labeling, or RFID tagging. This substitution eliminates mechanical stress and surface irregularities that would compromise bond strength while maintaining the ability to record and track process parameters.
3Loss of information
If markings are applied to surfaces that will be visible in the final tire, then process tracking is enabled, but undesirable discoloration occurs in the final product
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking markings are extracted from the visible surface of the rubber product and placed on a separate data carrier that does not affect the appearance. The actual rubber product surface remains clean and free of discoloring markings, while process information is maintained through the separate tracking device.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of marking the rubber product directly, a copy of the process information is stored on a separate data carrier (barcode, RFID tag). This copy can be read and processed without physically marking the rubber product, thus preserving its appearance while maintaining traceability.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for tracking process parameters in the manufacture of rubber products, in particular unvulcanized treads for vehicle tires, comprising the steps of: a) manufacturing an unvulcanized rubber product comprising a crosslinkable rubber compound, and b) applying a marking to a surface of the unvulcanized rubber product, wherein the marking includes information about one or more process parameters of the manufacture and/or is linked to information about one or more process parameters of the manufacture via a data processing system, wherein the application of the marking is carried out by creating depressions on the surface using a material removal process and/or an indentation process, wherein the depressions created have a depth of 100 µm or less.