TIRE BUILDING MACHINES: VMI INTERVIEW future TTI speaks to one of the leading players in tire building technology, to learn what next-generation systems might bring to the production line of the future By TRINITY FRANCIS Building the T 32 ire building machines are arguably one of the most important parts of the tire manufacturing process. With such a crucial role to play, they are under constant development for improved functionality and next-generation innovations. These machines that once required significant manual input are shedding the need for human intervention as the industry edges closer to full automation. As a leading player in this sector, VMI can offer unique insight into what the future looks like for tire building machines. “When we look at machine developments, we focus on four pillars: automation, flexibility, tire quality and sustainability,” says Gerlof Korte, vice president of research and development at VMI Group. Increasing the autonomous functions of a machine can solve a few issues for the tire maker. For example, labor costs contribute to the price of a tire, so minimizing staffing costs can result in more cost-competitive products. “We also see that, for our customers, it’s very difficult to find and keep labor, especially in emerging countries,” www.tiretechnologyinternational.com March 2024