An apparatus for assembling a non-pneumatic tire , the non-pneumatic tire comprising: a hub ; a plurality of spokes that are attached to the hub ; and a shear band ; the apparatus comprising: a frame ; a plurality of mechanical elements carried by the frame that are disposed about a central axis in a circumferential direction , wherein the central axis extends in a longitudinal direction , characterised in that in use of the apparatus the mechanical elements are disposed between successive spokes in the circumferential direction and wherein the mechanical elements engage the spokes at locations of engagement, wherein the spokes extend to locations radially inward and radially outward of the locations of engagement with the mechanical elements ; a radial movement member that moves the mechanical elements in a radial direction relative to the frame , wherein the radial movement member moves the mechanical elements toward the central axis in the radial direction to an inward configuration to in turn move the spokes towards the central axis in the radial direction to result in the spokes being compressed; retaining elements that engage the mechanical elements when the mechanical elements are in the inward configuration to hold the mechanical elements in the inward configuration relative to the frame ; and adhesive located between the spokes and the shear band that is pressed between the spokes and the shear band by the urging of the spokes toward the shear band in the radial direction by the mechanical elements acted on by the radial movement member , wherein the spokes are attached to the shear band in a state of pre-compression; wherein the shear band is located radially outward from the spokes when the spokes are placed into the compression, wherein release of the mechanical elements by the retaining elements and outward radial movement of the mechanical elements by the radial movement member urges the spokes toward the shear band in the radial direction . a hub ; a plurality of spokes that are attached to the hub ; and a shear band ; a frame ; a plurality of mechanical elements carried by the frame that are disposed about a central axis in a circumferential direction , wherein the central axis extends in a longitudinal direction , characterised in that in use of the apparatus the mechanical elements are disposed between successive spokes in the circumferential direction and wherein the mechanical elements engage the spokes at locations of engagement, wherein the spokes extend to locations radially inward and radially outward of the locations of engagement with the mechanical elements ; a radial movement member that moves the mechanical elements in a radial direction relative to the frame , wherein the radial movement member moves the mechanical elements toward the central axis in the radial direction to an inward configuration to in turn move the spokes towards the central axis in the radial direction to result in the spokes being compressed; retaining elements that engage the mechanical elements when the mechanical elements are in the inward configuration to hold the mechanical elements in the inward configuration relative to the frame ; and adhesive located between the spokes and the shear band that is pressed between the spokes and the shear band by the urging of the spokes toward the shear band in the radial direction by the mechanical elements acted on by the radial movement member , wherein the spokes are attached to the shear band in a state of pre-compression; wherein the shear band is located radially outward from the spokes when the spokes are placed into the compression, wherein release of the mechanical elements by the retaining elements and outward radial movement of the mechanical elements by the radial movement member urges the spokes toward the shear band in the radial direction . <EOS>