AKRON—Tire manufacturers are facing unprecedented challenges, including traceability, labor issues, EV tire design hurdles and the inclusion of sustainable ingredients.
Conversely, Grimsby, Ontario-based Cimcorp believes the time has never been more ripe for automated solutions, such as the implementation of software, robotic modules and the management of millions of data points to assist with material handling in tire manufacturing.
"Today's tire manufacturers are under enormous pressure to maximize output and meet rising customer demands, while keeping quality up and costs down," Don Heelis, global sales manager for Cimcorp, told Rubber News at the International Tire Exhibition and Conference in May. "They're also facing external disruptions, like ongoing labor shortages and the push for more sustainable operations."
Heelis works closely with major tire manufacturers at the corporate and plant levels, and said Cimcorp's "Dream Factory" solution, showcased at this year's ITEC, is gaining traction.
The software and robotic modules—billed as a complete, flexible turnkey solution from Cimcorp—is designed to help tire makers optimize processes, from raw material and component manufacturing to finished tire warehousing and shipping.
"Whether they're building an entirely new plant or modernizing a facility that has been operating for years, our clients are able to maximize their tire plant's potential and achieve their production goals," Heelis said.
It will be some time before every tire plant has a practical level of automation, especially legacy factories that are far-removed from the efficiencies of Industry 4.0.