Editor's Note: Each week, Rubber & Plastics News will take a look at some of the rubber industry's new products and innovations on www.rubbernews.com. Does your company have a new product or new innovation? To be considered for inclusion in this recurring feature, email [email protected].
4JET Technologies GmbH, a Germany-based technology company, will launch T-Sort, a laser-based sensor process for the automated recognition of information molded on tire sidewalls at the Tire Technology Expo in Cologne, Germany, Feb. 10-12.
A laser based sensor process captures more than one million distance measurements on the tire sidewall, 4JET said. The data is converted into an image that is then processed by a powerful algorithm to look for specific alphanumeric or graphic content, 4JET added, and in a matter of seconds it is possible to capture information even from slightly deformed or oily surfaces or surfaces with intricate and small font sizes, the company said.
The system addresses two tasks in tire manufacturing and logistics, according to 4JET:
• First tire check: After every change of a tire mold or its mold inserts, a complete inspection of the sidewall is required to assure the completeness and accuracy of the information. 4JET said this manual process is labor intensive and error prone, and shipping mismarked tires eventually can lead to an expensive recall. Using T-Sort allows the inspection process to be automated.
• Logistics and traceability: Another challenge tackled by T-Sort is automated recognition of DOT codes, the company said.
The T-Sort hardware is based on a rugged platform used in dozens of tire laser engraving installations, 4JET said. Additionally, combination systems, including a laser marking option for serial codes, QR codes or other information, are available. Short image capturing and processing times and the very compact line footprint allow integration into existing material flow systems. Versions for PCR and TBR tires are available.
For more information, go to http://www.4jet.de/en/.