"Innovative tyres for future- 3D printed tyres"
"Michelin Tyres?Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyres?Newcastle Upon Tyne"
[ "Innovative tyres for future- 3D printed tyresInnovation not only provides business advantageto the organization but it also helps the organization to develop products thatenhance the functionalities of existing products and provide new products orservices that address various customers' needs. One such innovative technology is3-dimensional digital printing. Referred to as additive manufacturing, 3Dprinting technology makes use of a computer-aided machine to manufacture threedimensional solid products. A software shape of the product is designed throughcomputer applications and with the help of CAD machine the solid is moulded outlayer by layer into the prototype design. Today vast number of carmanufacturing companies are adopting this technology for manufacturing car bodyparts, spare parts, and other car accessories. Even the top tyre manufacturingcompanies have started to research on using this technology for manufacturingtyres to address various driving needs. Among the first to use 3D digital printing technologyfor tyre manufacturing is French tyre manufacturing organization Michelin. MichelinTyres Newcastle Upon Tyne, developed its first 3D prototype tyre named asUnique puncture-proof Tyre system (Uptis). The aim to come up with thisinnovative prototype tyre model was to decrease the number of tyres thrown awayby customers due to puncture damage and to increase the safety functionalities ofthe tyres. Michelin has a partnership with GeneralMotors to come up with this innovative Uptis tyre prototype. Currently, thisprototype is tested on Chevrolet cars. Uptis supports airless mobility functionalitythus making it the first kind of puncture-proof tyre. Apart from it, thesetyres reduce the efforts of regular maintenance like checking air pressures,damage checkups, puncture checkups, etc thus making them suitable for vehiclesthat support autonomous driving technology. The company plans to make use ofthis prototype model for its passenger cars by 2024. Apart from Uptis Michelin's research and developmentwing is also working on an innovative tyre model that makes use of 3D printingtechnology for designing a unique airless system supported tread pattern thatcan be adjusted based on the changing road surfaces. This new innovative sustainabletyre is named as Vision. The Vision tyres Newcastle Upon Tyne aremanufactured with bio-materials that are easily recycled thus supportingeco-friendly products. The recyclable bio-material shall reduce the wastagescoming from tyre manufacturing companies and usage and shall also save rawmaterials and resources. Finally, the ability for adjustable tread patterns enhancesthe controlling function for the drivers and providing safe and secure drivingoptions. Thus, tyre manufacturing companies are promotinginnovation to come up with tyres that are not only supporting added functionalitiesbut are also eco-friendlier in nature. 3D printing technology can support masscustomization in products and it becomes easier for manufacturing companies topromote innovation because designing and building a new prototype is easier andaffordable through 3D printing when compared to the traditional way of newproduct development. Thus, with 3D printing, the tyres manufacturing companiescan reduce the cost of tyre manufacturing allowing customers to have highlyadvanced tyres with added functionalities at affordable prices. " ]