阅读说明：本技术 用于构建轮胎的方法和用于构建车辆车轮用轮胎的设备的转移装置 (Method for building tyres and transfer device for a plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels ) 是由 E·瓦尼格利亚 S·博拉科 M·法布雷蒂 于 2018-11-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于构建车辆车轮用轮胎的方法和一种用于构建车辆车轮用轮胎的设备的转移装置(16)。定中装置(16)包括：环形支撑结构(18)；夹持元件(19),其成环布置在环形支撑结构(18)上并具有径向指向转移装置(16)的纵向轴线(Z-Z)的夹持表面(20)；安装在环形支撑结构(18)上的测量装置(30)。测量装置(30)构造成用于检测转移装置(16)与位于转移装置(16)内的鼓(12,13)之间的定中。转移装置(16)构造成用于从其上布置有正在处理的轮胎的鼓(12,13)上拾取正在处理的轮胎(14,15)或者用于将正在处理的轮胎(14,15)铺设在鼓(12,13)上。(The invention relates to a method for building tyres for vehicle wheels and a transfer device (16) for an apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels. The centering device (16) comprises: an annular support structure (18); a gripping element (19) arranged in a ring on the annular support structure (18) and having a gripping surface (20) directed radially towards the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16); a measuring device (30) mounted on the annular support structure (18). The measuring device (30) is configured for detecting a centering between the transfer device (16) and a drum (12, 13) located within the transfer device (16). The transfer device (16) is configured for picking up the tyre being processed (14, 15) from the drum (12, 13) on which it is arranged or for laying the tyre being processed (14, 15) on the drum (12, 13).)

1. A process for building tyres for vehicle wheels, comprising:

-arranging the tyre being processed (14, 15) carried by the drum (12, 13) in a radially inner position with respect to the gripping elements (19) of the transfer device (16); the gripping element (19) having a gripping surface (20) directed radially towards a longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16); said drums (12, 13) being supported by movement means (21, 22) having at least two degrees of freedom;

-detecting, by means of a measuring device (30), a longitudinal displacement (Δ Z) between the centre (31) of the transfer device (16) and the centre of the tyre being processed (14, 15) along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein detecting the longitudinal shift (Δ Z) comprises: -measuring a longitudinal distance parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) between a lateral portion of the transfer device (16) and a longitudinal end of the drum (12, 13), and-calculating the longitudinal displacement (Δ Z) starting from said longitudinal distance.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein measuring the longitudinal distance comprises: the longitudinal ends of the drums (12, 13) are aimed by means of sensors (34) of the measuring device (30), which are mounted on the lateral portions of the transfer device (16).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein aiming comprises: generating a laminar flow stream (37) of electromagnetic waves, said laminar flow stream being located in a radial plane of said transfer device (16) and being configured to at least partially impinge on said longitudinal ends of said drums (12, 13).

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the layer stream (37) is radial.

6. The method according to one of claims 1 to 5, the method further comprising: detecting the relative position between the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16) and the axis of rotation of the tyre being processed (14, 15).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein detecting the relative position comprises: detecting a relative position between the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16) and a rotation axis (26, 29) of the drum (12, 13).

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the radial distance (R1, R2, R3, R4, R) between the transfer device (16) and the radially external surface of the drum (12, 13) is measured₁'，R₂'，R₃'，R₄') and from the radial distance (R1, R2, R3, R4, R₁'，R₂'，R₃'，R₄') begin calculating the position of the rotation axis (26, 29) of the drum (12, 13) with respect to a reference system (x, y, Z) integral with the transfer device (16) to detect the relative position between the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16) and the rotation axis (26, 29) of the drum (12, 13).

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the radial distances (R1, R2, R3, R4, R) are detected at opposite longitudinal ends of the drum (12, 13)₁'，R₂'，R₃'，R₄')。

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the radially external surface of the drum (12, 13) is a laying surface or a surface of a shaft (25) projecting longitudinally with respect to the laying surface.

11. Method according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the radial distances (R1, R2, R3, R4, R) are measured on a first plane (P1) and a second plane (R1)₁'，R₂'，R₃'，R₄') according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first plane (P1) and said second plane (P2) are arranged with respect to a median plane (42) of said transfer device (16)Disposed on opposite sides.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting the relative position comprises: for each of the longitudinal ends, calculating a respective first center (C1) lying on the first plane (P1) and a respective second center (C2) lying on the second plane (P2); wherein the axis of rotation (26, 29) of the drum (12, 13) passes through the first center (C1) and the second center (C2).

13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said first plane (P1) and said second plane (P2) are symmetrical with respect to said mid-line plane (42) of said transfer device (16).

14. Method according to one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the radial distance (R1, R2, R3, R4, R) is detected by a first set of distance sensors (38, 39, 40, 41) mounted on a first of two longitudinally opposite lateral portions of the transfer device (16) and by a second set of distance sensors (38', 39', 40', 41') mounted on a second of said two longitudinally opposite lateral portions of the transfer device (16)₁'，R₂'，R₃'，R₄')。

15. Method according to one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the radial distance (R1, R2, R3, R4, R) is detected₁'，R₂'，R₃'，R₄') includes: emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation, and capturing a corresponding reflected beam.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the emitted beam of electromagnetic radiation and the reflected beam are at least two for each of the two longitudinally opposed lateral portions.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the emitted beam of electromagnetic radiation and the reflected beam are at least three for each of the two longitudinally opposed lateral portions.

18. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 17, wherein the movement means (21, 22) have at least six degrees of freedom; wherein the movement means (21, 22) with at least six degrees of freedom is a multi-axis robot.

19. A method as claimed in one of the foregoing claims from 1 to 18, wherein the tyre being processed is a carcass structure (14), the drum being a forming drum (12).

20. A method as claimed in one of the foregoing claims from 1 to 19, wherein the tyre being processed is a crown structure (15) and the drum is an auxiliary drum (13).

21. The method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 20, the method comprising: -feedback-controlling said movement means (21, 22) as a function of said longitudinal displacement (az) until said transfer means (16) are longitudinally centred with respect to said tyre being processed (14, 15) carried by said drum (12, 13).

22. The method of claim 21, wherein feedback control comprises: -making said longitudinal shift (Δ Z) lower than a reference longitudinal shift.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein feedback control comprises: -eliminating said longitudinal shift (Δ Z).

24. The method of claim 21 when dependent on one of claims 6 to 16, wherein feedback control comprises: -making the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16) coincide with the rotation axis of the tyre being processed (14, 15).

25. Transfer device for an apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels, comprising:

an annular support structure (18);

a gripping element (19) arranged in a ring on the annular support structure (18) and having a gripping surface (20) directed radially towards the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16); the gripping elements (19) being configured to be arranged around a drum (12, 13) carrying the tyre being processed (14, 15); wherein the drums (12, 13) are carried by movement means (21, 22) having at least two degrees of freedom;

a measuring device (30) mounted on the annular support structure (18);

wherein the measuring device (30) is configured for detecting a longitudinal displacement (Δ Z) between a center (31) of the transfer device (16) and a center (32, 33) of the drum (12, 13) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) of the transfer device (16).

26. Transfer device according to claim 25, wherein the measuring device (30) comprises a sensor (34) mounted on the annular support structure (18); wherein the sensor (34) is configured for measuring a longitudinal distance parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z-Z) between a lateral portion of the transfer device (16) and a longitudinal end of the drum (12, 13).

27. Transfer device according to claim 26, wherein the sensor (34) is mounted on a lateral portion of the annular support structure (18).

28. The transfer device of claim 26 or 27, wherein the sensor (34) is sensitive to electromagnetic waves.

29. Transfer device according to one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the sensor (34) comprises a transmitter (35) and a receiver (36) located in diametrically opposite positions of the annular support structure (18), wherein the sensor (34) is configured to generate an electromagnetic beam (37) extending between the transmitter (35) and the receiver (36).

30. Transfer device according to one of claims 25 to 29, wherein said measuring device (30) comprises at least one first set of distance sensors (38, 39, 40, 41) mounted on said annular support structure (18) and configured for measuring radial distances (R1, R2, R3, R4) from a radially outer surface of said drum (12, 13).

31. Transfer device according to one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the measuring device (30) comprises: a first set of distance sensors (38, 39, 40, 41) mounted on a first of two longitudinally opposite lateral portions of the annular support structure (18); and a second set of distance sensors (38', 39', 40', 41') mounted on a second of said two longitudinally opposite lateral portions of said annular supporting structure (18).

32. Transfer device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein each set of distance sensors (38, 39, 40, 41, 38', 39', 40', 41') comprises at least three distance sensors.

33. Transfer device according to claim 32, wherein each set of distance sensors (38, 39, 40, 41, 38', 39', 40', 41') is angularly equidistant from each other.

34. Transfer device according to one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the first set of distance sensors (38, 39, 40, 41) and the second set of distance sensors (38', 39', 40', 41') are located on planes of symmetry with respect to a mid-line plane (42) of the transfer device (16).

35. Transfer device according to one of claims 31 to 34, wherein the first set of distance sensors (38, 39, 40, 41) and the second set of distance sensors (38', 39', 40', 41') are sensitive to electromagnetic waves.

36. Transfer device according to one of claims 31 to 35, wherein each distance sensor of the first and second sets of distance sensors (38, 39, 40, 41, 38', 39', 40', 41') comprises a transmitter and a receiver alongside each other.

37. Plant for building tyres for vehicle wheels, comprising:

a building drum (12) configured for carrying a carcass structure (14);

an auxiliary drum (13) configured for carrying a crown structure (15);

-a movement device (21) with at least two degrees of freedom configured for supporting the forming drum (12);

an auxiliary movement device (22) with at least two degrees of freedom, configured for supporting the auxiliary drum (13);

transfer device (16) according to one or more of claims 25 to 36;

-said movement device (21) being movable between a first position, in which the forming drum (12) is in a radially inner position with respect to the gripping elements (19) of the transfer device (16), and a second position, in which the forming drum (12) is outside the transfer device (16);

the auxiliary movement device (22) is movable between a first position, in which the auxiliary drum (13) is located in a radially inner position with respect to the gripping element (19) of the transfer device (16), and a second position, in which the auxiliary drum (13) is located outside the transfer device (16).

Technical Field

The object of the present invention is a method for building tyres and a transfer device for an apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

The present invention falls within the scope of a process and an apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

In particular, the present invention falls within the scope of a method and a device suitable for controlling and verifying the correct arrangement and correct assembly of the components intended to form the green tyre on the drum during building of the tyre.

Background

A tyre for vehicle wheels generally comprises a carcass structure comprising at least one carcass ply having end flaps in engagement with respective anchoring annular structures. In a radially outer position with respect to the carcass structure, a belt structure is associated therewith, said belt structure comprising one or more belt layers radially superposed on each other and with respect to the carcass ply having textile or metallic reinforcing cords with a crossed orientation and/or extending substantially parallel to the circumferential direction of the tyre. In a radially outer position with respect to the belt structure, a tread band is applied, also made of elastomeric material similar to other constituent semifinished products of the tyre. At least the assembly of the belt structure and the tread band forms a crown structure of the tyre. Respective sidewalls made of elastomeric material are also applied on the lateral surfaces of the carcass structure, each extending from one of the lateral edges of the tread band up to the respective anchoring annular structure to the beads. In tyres of the "tubeless" type, the carcass ply is internally covered by a layer of elastomeric material, preferably butyl, generally referred to as "liner", which has excellent impermeability to gases and extends from one bead to the other.

The production cycle of tyres provides a building process in which the various structural components of the tyre itself are manufactured and/or assembled on one or more drums.

The built green tyre is transferred to a moulding and vulcanisation line in which a moulding and vulcanisation process is started, adapted to define the tyre structure according to the desired geometry and tread design.

Definition of

The term "elastomeric material" is intended to mean a composition comprising at least one elastomeric polymer and at least one reinforcing filler. Preferably, such compositions further comprise additives, such as cross-linking agents and/or plasticizers. Due to the presence of the cross-linking agent, this material can be cross-linked by heating, thus forming the final article.

By "component" or "structural component" of a tire is meant any part of the tire that is capable of performing its own function or part of a function. The following are exemplary components of the tire: liner, under-liner, sidewall insert, bead core, filler insert, wear element, sidewall, carcass ply/plies, belt(s), tread band, under-layer of tread band, under-belt insert, etc. or a part thereof.

"tyre being processed" means at least one component or structural part of the tyre laid on the drum.

The terms "radial" and "axial" and the expressions "radially inner/outer" and "axially inner/outer" are used by reference to directions perpendicular and parallel, respectively, to the axis of rotation of the tyre/tyre being processed and/or the drum.

A plane is defined as "radial" when it includes the axis of rotation of the tire/tire being processed and/or the drum.

The term "plane of symmetry of the tyre/tyre being processed" denotes a plane of symmetry orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the tyre/tyre being processed.

Rather, the terms "circumferential" and "circumferentially" are used by reference to the direction of toroidal extension of the tyre/tyre being processed.

"center of tire/tire being processed" means the point of intersection between the axis of rotation of the tire/tire being processed and the plane of symmetry.

"mid-line plane of the drum" means a plane orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the drum and dividing the drum into two halves.

"center of the drum" refers to the intersection between the axis of rotation of the drum and the centerline plane.

By "longitudinal axis of the transfer device" is meant the straight axis of the cylinder inscribed between the gripping surfaces of the transfer device at least in the gripping state.

With respect to the transfer device, a plane is defined as "radial" when it includes the aforementioned longitudinal axis.

By "midline plane of the transfer device" is meant a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the transfer device and dividing the transfer device into two halves.

By "center of the transfer device" is meant the intersection between the longitudinal axis of the transfer device and the midline plane.

"longitudinal centering" of the tyre being processed with respect to the transfer device refers to the correspondence between the centre of the tyre being processed and the centre of the transfer device.

"longitudinal centering" of the drum with respect to the transfer device refers to the correspondence between the center of the drum and the center of the transfer device.

By "coaxiality" between the tyre being processed and the transfer device is meant that the longitudinal axis of the transfer device coincides with the rotation axis of the tyre being processed, i.e. that the two axes are not inclined with respect to each other and/or are not laterally offset with respect to each other.

By "coaxiality" between the drum and the transfer device is meant that the longitudinal axis of the transfer device coincides with the axis of rotation of the drum, i.e. that the two axes are not inclined with respect to each other and/or are not laterally offset with respect to each other.

Generally, it follows that the transfer device and the tyre being processed (or transfer device and drum) can be coaxial and longitudinally centred, coaxial but not longitudinally centred, longitudinally centred but not coaxial.

State of the art

Document WO2009128046, in the name of the same applicant, shows an assembly work station in which the carcass sleeve and the outer sleeve made in the respective building line are coupled to each other. The assembly work station integrates engagement devices which are alternatively able to couple with the auxiliary drum carrying the outer sleeve and with the building drum carrying the carcass sleeve. The gripping unit picks up the outer sleeve from the auxiliary drum coupled to the joining device in order to position it around the carcass sleeve carried by the building drum. A shaping device operatively couplable with the building drum causes radial expansion of the carcass sleeve in order to couple it to the outer sleeve held by the gripping unit.

Document JP2012236392A shows a transfer device for picking up a tread ring from a forming drum and carrying it to an application position in which it is applied outside the base element of a green tyre carried by the forming drum. The transfer device allows to evaluate the misalignment between said transfer device and the forming drum by means of a first laser distance sensor and a second laser distance sensor mounted on a support ring of the transfer device. The first and second sensors measure the distance from the support shaft of the forming drum in X and in Y, respectively.

Disclosure of Invention

The applicant has perceived the need to improve the quality of the tyre produced and to ensure a higher conformity thereof to the design specifications, in particular of the tyre whose components are obtained by applying the semifinished product on one or more drums carried by a movement device with multiple degrees of freedom configured to move said drum or drums in three-dimensional space, such as a multi-axis robot, preferably but not necessarily an anthropomorphic robot.

The applicant has in fact observed that such known movement devices with multiple degrees of freedom sometimes do not ensure the accuracy and repeatability of the positioning of the tyre being processed, which are necessary to optimize the quality and therefore the performance of the built tyre.

The applicant has observed in particular that such movement devices with multiple degrees of freedom do not allow to ensure the above-mentioned precision and repeatability of the positioning between the elements of the tyre during building.

The applicant has observed that such positioning errors generate defects and non-uniformities on the built tyre. Positioning errors can also produce performance variations from one tire to the next.

Defects, non-uniformities and variability are generally not visible on the finished tire and can only be discovered by dynamic testing.

These defects, non-uniformities and variability ultimately affect the performance that the produced tire can provide.

The applicant has perceived that the above drawbacks and non-uniformities are particularly due to the centering errors between the transfer device and the tyre being processed, wherein the transfer device is configured to engage and hold the tyre being processed at a radially external portion thereof, in order to pick up said tyre being processed from or to associate the tyre being processed with a drum on which the tyre being processed is also carried.

The applicant has observed that intervention is possible by various factors which impair the mutual positioning of the transfer device and the tyre being processed, in particular, but not exclusively, due to the movement means described above. Among the causes of the above-described positioning variability, the following can be mentioned: resetting when the equipment fails; improper alignment activity during device implementation; inherent variability of the instrument; structural yielding and/or wear of the equipment components.

The applicant has observed that the laser sensor shown in document JP2012236392A is not able to detect the coaxiality between its transfer device and its forming drum with the necessary precision, and more precisely it is not able to detect the longitudinal centering between its transfer device and its forming drum at all.

The applicant has further observed that document JP2012236392A does not even show the need for an extremely precise control system capable of detecting coaxiality and longitudinal centring, since its drum can substantially only rotate with respect to the fixing means supporting said drum, the transfer device described in the above document being only capable of translating along a fixed track.

The applicant has realised that, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the transfer device can be used as a reference for checking the position of the tyre being processed and/or the position of the drum on which the tyre being processed is to be laid or from which the tyre being processed is to be picked up.

The applicant has finally found that the transfer device can be used to check the longitudinal centring between the tyre being processed and the transfer device.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

Preferably, provision is made for arranging the tyre being processed carried by the drum in a radially inner position with respect to the gripping elements of the transfer device; the gripping element having a gripping surface directed radially toward a longitudinal axis of the transfer device; the drum is supported by a movement device having at least two degrees of freedom.

Preferably, provision is made for detecting, by means of the measuring device, a longitudinal displacement between the centre of the transfer device and the centre of the tyre being processed, along a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of the transfer device.

The applicant believes that the invention also allows to remedy the inherent inaccuracies associated with the use of kinematic devices with multiple degrees of freedom, in order to obtain tyres that accurately reflect the design specifications.

The applicant also believes that the invention allows control of possible variations and drifts that may occur during the production of a batch of tyres, so as to limit and/or resist them.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a transfer device for an apparatus for building tyres for vehicle wheels.

Preferably, the following are provided: an annular support structure; a gripping element arranged in a ring on the annular support structure and having a gripping surface directed radially towards the longitudinal axis of the transfer device.

Preferably, the gripping element is configured to be arranged around a drum carrying the tyre being processed.

Preferably, the drum is carried by a movement device having at least two degrees of freedom.

Preferably, a measuring device is provided which is mounted on the annular support structure.

Preferably, the measuring device is configured for detecting a longitudinal displacement between the centre of the transfer device and the centre of the drum in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transfer device.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to an apparatus for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels.

Preferably, a building drum is provided, configured for providing the carcass structure.

Preferably, an auxiliary drum is provided, configured for providing the crown structure.

Preferably, a movement device with at least two degrees of freedom is provided, which is configured for supporting the building drum.

Preferably, an auxiliary moving device having at least two degrees of freedom is provided, the auxiliary moving device being configured for supporting the auxiliary drum.

Preferably, a transfer device according to the aforementioned second aspect is provided.

Preferably, the movement means are movable between a first position, in which the forming drum is located in a radially inner position with respect to the gripping elements of the transfer device, and a second position, in which the forming drum is located outside the transfer device.

Preferably, the auxiliary moving device is movable between a first position, in which the auxiliary drum is located in a radially inner position with respect to the gripping elements of the transfer device, and a second position, in which the auxiliary drum is outside the transfer device.

The applicant has further perceived that the invention allows avoiding having to realign the apparatus very frequently, which is time consuming, detrimental to productivity and in any case does not ensure that each single-produced tyre is obtained with the best possible alignment.

In at least one of the above aspects, the invention may have one or more of the preferred features described below.

Preferably, detecting the longitudinal shift comprises: measuring a longitudinal distance parallel to the longitudinal axis between the lateral portion of the transfer device and the longitudinal end of the drum, and calculating the longitudinal displacement starting from said longitudinal distance.

This type of measurement is relatively simple, since the longitudinal ends of the drum project laterally from the transfer device and can be reached operatively by the measuring device.

Preferably, measuring the longitudinal distance comprises: the longitudinal ends of the drum are aimed by sensors of a measuring device mounted on the lateral part of the transfer device.

The above sensor can be easily mounted on the transfer device by using a space on the side of the transfer device.

Preferably, the aiming comprises: a laminar beam of electromagnetic waves is generated, which lies in a radial plane of the transfer device and is configured for at least partially striking a longitudinal end of the drum.

Preferably, the laminar flow beam is radial.

Preferably, the laminar flow beam is a laser beam.

The layer streams partially or fully impact the longitudinal ends of the drum and are thus partially or fully dammed by the surface of the drum. Depending on the portion of the layer stream that is intercepted, the sensor, through the electronics associated therewith, is able to provide a value associated with the longitudinal position of the drum and the tyre being processed arranged on the drum relative to the transfer device. The measurement is performed without contacting mechanical parts, and is therefore safe and accurate.

Preferably, provision is also made for detecting the relative position between the longitudinal axis of the transfer device and the axis of rotation of the tyre being processed.

In addition to longitudinal centering, defects and non-uniformities can be further reduced by checking the coaxiality between the transfer device and the tyre being processed.

Preferably, detecting the relative position comprises: the relative position between the longitudinal axis of the transfer device and the axis of rotation of the drum is detected.

Since the tyre being processed is picked up from or applied on the drum (the tyre being processed is coaxial with respect to the drum), it is simpler to check the coaxiality between the transfer device and the drum.

Preferably, the relative position between the longitudinal axis of the transfer device and the axis of rotation of the drum is detected by measuring the radial distance between the transfer device and the radially outer surface of the drum.

Preferably, said relative position is detected by calculating, starting from said radial distance, the position of the rotation axis of the drum with respect to a frame of reference integral with the transfer device.

Since the size of the drum and the size of the transfer device are known, the above-mentioned radial distance allows to find the position of the axis of rotation of the drum.

Preferably, the radial distance is detected at opposite longitudinal ends of the drum.

Said opposite longitudinal ends of the drum project laterally from the transfer device and can be used as targets for measuring the radial distance. In this way, the position of the two opposite longitudinal ends of the drum can be detected, and since the geometry of the drum is known, the position of the axis of rotation of the drum relative to the transfer device can be obtained.

Preferably, the radially outer surface of the drum is a laying surface.

In other words, the radially external surface is the surface on which the tyre being processed is located; the radial distance is detected at the radially outer surface of the opposite longitudinal end of the drum, which radially outer surface protrudes laterally (in the longitudinal direction).

Preferably, the radially external surface of the drum is the surface of a shaft projecting longitudinally with respect to the laying surface.

In other words, the radially external surface belongs to a shaft which is part of the drum and which projects laterally (in the longitudinal direction) from the laying surface.

Preferably, the radial distance is measured in a first plane and in a second plane, wherein said first plane and said second plane are located on opposite sides with respect to a midline plane of the transfer device.

Preferably, detecting the relative position comprises: for each of the longitudinal ends, calculating a respective first center lying on a first plane and a respective second center lying on a second plane; wherein the axis of rotation of the drum passes through the first center and the second center.

Preferably, said first plane and said second plane are symmetrical with respect to a median plane of the transfer device.

Since the coordinates of the above-mentioned first and second centers belonging to the axis of rotation of the drum are known in a fixed frame of reference relative to the transfer device, the position of the axis of rotation relative to the longitudinal axis of the transfer device is also known. The two axes may be: are overlapped with each other; parallel to and spaced apart from each other; are inclined and intersect with respect to each other; tilted and spaced apart (skewed).

Preferably, the radial distance is detected by a first set of distance sensors mounted on a first of two longitudinally opposite lateral portions of the transfer device.

Preferably, the radial distance is detected by a second set of distance sensors mounted on a second of the two longitudinally opposite lateral portions of the transfer device.

The above distance sensor can be easily mounted on the transfer device by utilizing the space on the side of the transfer device. The distance sensor is also easily accessible, for example to enable maintenance, replacement, calibration, etc. operations.

Preferably, detecting the radial distance comprises emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation and capturing a corresponding reflected beam.

Preferably, the beam of electromagnetic radiation is a laser beam.

The measurement is performed without contacting mechanical parts, and is therefore safe and accurate.

Preferably, the emitted beam and the reflected beam are at least two for each of the two lateral portions.

Preferably, the number of transmitted and reflected beams is at least three for each of the two lateral portions.

Preferably, the number of transmitted and reflected beams is at least four for each of the two lateral portions.

Preferably, the movement means has at least six degrees of freedom.

Preferably, the movement device having at least six degrees of freedom is a multi-axis robot.

Preferably, the movement device with at least six degrees of freedom is an anthropomorphic robot with at least six axes.

Preferably, the movement means are configured to be coupled with a central portion of the drum at the axial ends of the drum so as to protrudingly support the drum.

The multi-axis robot may be programmed to manage various tire sizes and thus the drums and the structure of the tire to be built.

Preferably, the tyre being processed is a carcass structure and the drum is a building drum.

Before coupling together the carcass structure and the crown structure, a centring check is carried out between the carcass drum carrying the carcass structure and the transfer device carrying the crown structure, so as to obtain a coaxial centring coupling.

Preferably, the tyre being processed is a crown structure and the drum is an auxiliary drum.

Before the transfer device picks up the crown structure from the auxiliary drum, a centring check is carried out between the auxiliary drum carrying the crown structure and the transfer device in order to obtain a perfectly coaxial centring coupling between the crown structure and the transfer device, and then a subsequent coaxial centring coupling between the carcass structure and the crown structure.

Preferably, the first alarm signal is generated if the longitudinal shift exceeds a first threshold value of the longitudinal shift, and preferably the first alarm signal is generated if the longitudinal shift exceeds a second threshold value of the longitudinal shift, the second threshold value being greater than the first threshold value.

Preferably, the first threshold for longitudinal displacement is +/-2 mm.

Preferably, the second threshold for longitudinal displacement is +/-3 mm.

Preferably, checking for coaxiality includes evaluating non-coaxiality.

Preferably, the non-coaxiality is calculated as a function of the position of the first centre relative to the point of intersection of the longitudinal axis of the transfer device with the first plane.

Preferably, the non-coaxiality is calculated as a function of the position of the second center relative to the point of intersection of the longitudinal axis of the transfer device with the second plane.

Preferably, the non-coaxiality is a function of a first radius of a circle having a center at the intersection of the longitudinal axis of the transfer device and the first plane and passing through a first center.

Preferably, the non-coaxiality is a function of a second radius of a circle having a center at the intersection of the longitudinal axis of the transfer device and the second plane and passing through the second center.

Preferably, provision is made for a second warning signal to be generated if the first radius and/or the second radius exceeds a first threshold value for non-coaxiality, and preferably for a second warning signal to be generated if the first radius and/or the second radius exceeds a second threshold value for non-coaxiality, which is greater than the first threshold value for non-coaxiality.

Preferably, the first threshold for non-coaxiality is +/-1 mm.

Preferably, the second threshold for non-coaxiality is +/-2 mm.

Preferably, provision is made for: the movement means are feedback-controlled according to the longitudinal displacement until the transfer means are longitudinally centred with respect to the tyre being processed carried by the drum.

The invention thus allows to correct possible errors of mutual positioning (longitudinal centering and/or coaxiality) by means of dynamic feedback control of the movement means, in particular even if the movement means are multi-axis anthropomorphic robots.

Preferably provision is made for resetting the reference coordinates of the movement means as a function of the error of mutual positioning (longitudinal centering and/or coaxiality).

Preferably, the feedback control comprises making the longitudinal shift lower than the reference longitudinal shift.

Preferably, the reference longitudinal displacement is 1 mm.

Preferably, the feedback control includes: longitudinal displacement is eliminated.

In this way, a longitudinal centering is obtained, i.e. the centre of the transfer device substantially coincides with the centre of the drum and the tyre being processed.

Preferably, the feedback control includes: the longitudinal axis of the transfer device is made to coincide with the rotation axis of the tyre being processed.

Preferably, the feedback control includes: the first radius and/or the second radius are/is made lower than the reference radius.

Preferably, the reference radius is 0.5 mm.

Preferably, the feedback control includes: the first radius and/or the second radius are eliminated.

In this way, coaxiality is obtained, i.e. the rotation axis of the drum and of the tyre being processed substantially coincides with the longitudinal axis of the transfer device.

Preferably, a centring error (in terms of coaxiality and/or longitudinal centring) between the recording and transfer device and the drum is specified, with respect to the subsequent assembly of the tyre.

Preferably, provision is made for recording the longitudinal shift, the first radius and the second radius in relation to the subsequent building of the tyre.

This historical data will be used to evaluate the progressive course of errors and their correlation with the data relating to the uniformity of the tyres produced.

Preferably, the measuring means comprise a sensor mounted on the annular support structure; wherein the sensor is configured for measuring a longitudinal distance parallel to the longitudinal axis between the lateral portion of the transfer device and the longitudinal end of the drum.

Preferably, the sensor is mounted on a lateral portion of the annular support structure.

Preferably, the sensor is sensitive to electromagnetic waves, more preferably to laser light.

Preferably, the sensor comprises an emitter and a receiver located in diametrically opposed positions of the annular support structure, wherein the sensor is configured to generate an electromagnetic beam, preferably a laser beam, extending between the emitter and the receiver.

In other words, the sensor is mounted on the transfer device and is preferably fixed with respect to the annular support structure.

The sensor is of the type known under the term "laser edge sensor", e.g. laser micrometer IG-028KEYENCE^TM。

Preferably, the measuring means comprise at least one first set of distance sensors mounted on the annular support structure and configured for measuring the radial distance from the radially outer surface of the drum.

Preferably, the measuring means comprises: a first set of distance sensors mounted on a first of two longitudinally opposed lateral portions of the annular support structure; and a second set of distance sensors mounted on a second one of the two longitudinally opposed lateral portions of the annular support structure.

These sets of distance sensors are mounted on the transfer device and are preferably fixed with respect to the annular support structure.

Preferably, each set of distance sensors comprises at least two distance sensors, preferably three distance sensors, preferably four distance sensors, angularly spaced from each other.

Preferably, the distance sensors in each group are angularly equidistant from each other. For example, three distance sensors arranged at 120 ° to each other or four distance sensors arranged at 90 ° to each other are provided.

Preferably, the first and second sets of distance sensors are located on a plane of symmetry with respect to a mid-line plane of the transfer device.

Preferably, the distance sensor is sensitive to electromagnetic waves, preferably to laser light. The sensor being, for example, KEYENCE^TML K-G400 series.

Preferably, each of the distance sensors comprises a transmitter and a receiver alongside each other.

Preferably, the service drum comprises a plurality of sectors arranged one after the other about its rotation axis and defining the laying surface, wherein the distance sensor detects the distance from said sectors.

Preferably, the building drum comprises a shaft configured for connection by the movement device, wherein the distance sensor detects the distance to said shaft.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a control unit operatively connected to the measuring device and the auxiliary moving device, wherein the control unit is programmed to:

receiving an auxiliary signal from the measuring device regarding the longitudinal displacement of the auxiliary drum,

calculating from said auxiliary signal a first error in the longitudinal centering of the auxiliary drum with respect to the transfer device,

the position of the auxiliary moving device is feedback-controlled so as to longitudinally center the auxiliary drum with respect to the transfer device.

Preferably, the control unit is operatively connected to the movement means and is programmed to:

receiving a signal from the measuring device regarding the longitudinal displacement of the building drum,

calculating from said signals a second error in the longitudinal centering of the building drum with respect to the transfer device, the position of the movement means being feedback controlled in order to center the building drum longitudinally with respect to the transfer device.

Preferably, the control unit is programmed to:

receiving a distance signal from the measuring device regarding a radial distance from the auxiliary drum,

calculating the position of the axis of rotation of the auxiliary drum from the distance signal,

the position of the auxiliary moving device is feedback-controlled so that the auxiliary drum and the transfer device are coaxial.

Preferably, the control unit is programmed to:

receiving a distance signal from the measuring device regarding the radial distance from the building drum,

calculating the position of the axis of rotation of the building drum from said distance signals,

the position of the movement means is feedback controlled so that the building drum and the transfer device are coaxial.

Further features and advantages will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a method and a transfer device for building tyres, in accordance with the present invention.

Drawings

This description will be elucidated below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are provided as non-limiting examples only, wherein:

figure 1 schematically illustrates an assembly work station of a plant for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels;

fig. 2 is a side view of a transfer device belonging to the assembly station of fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front partial cross-sectional view of the transfer device of FIG. 2 associated with the auxiliary drum in the first position;

FIG. 4 is a front partial cross-sectional view of the transfer device of FIG. 2 associated with the auxiliary drum in a second position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the transfer device associated with the auxiliary drum in the second position of FIG. 4;

fig. 6 is a radial half section of the tyre assembled in the assembly station of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

With reference to fig. 1, numeral 1 indicates as a whole an assembly work station of a plant for building green tyres, which plant in turn is part of an apparatus (not shown in its entirety) for manufacturing tyres for vehicle wheels.

In fig. 6, a tyre 2 manufactured in said plant and assembled in the assembly work station 1 is shown, which tyre essentially comprises a carcass structure 14 having two carcass plies 4a, 4 b. An impermeable layer of elastomeric material or a so-called liner 5 is applied inside the carcass plies/plies 4a, 4 b. Two anchoring annular structures 6 are engaged with the respective end flaps of the carcass ply/plies 4a, 4b, each of which comprises a so-called bead core 6a carrying an elastomeric filler 6b in a radially external position. The anchoring annular structures 6 are integral in proximity to the region generally identified by the name "beads" 7, where the engagement between the tyre 2 and the respective mounting rim normally occurs. A belt structure 8 comprising belt layers 8a, 8b is circumferentially applied around the carcass plies 4a, 4b, onto which belt structure 8a tread band 9 is circumferentially superposed. The belt structure 8 may be associated with so-called "under-belt inserts" 10, each of which is located between the carcass plies 4a, 4b and one of the axially opposite terminal edges of the belt structure 8. In laterally opposite positions on the carcass plies 4a, 4b, two sidewalls 11 are applied, each extending from a respective bead 7 to a respective lateral edge of the tread band 9. The portion of each sidewall 11 close to the lateral edge of the tread band 9 is called the shoulder of the tire. When the tyre is in operation, the mid-line plane "M" (fig. 6) of tyre 2 is equidistant from the respective beads 7 and perpendicular to the main rotation axis "X-X" thereof.

The plant (not shown in detail) comprises a tyre production line 2 formed by a plant for building green tyres and by at least one moulding and vulcanisation unit operatively arranged downstream of the building plant.

In one embodiment, the plant for building green tyres comprises a carcass building line at which the forming drums 12 are moved between different semi-finished product dispensing work stations arranged to form on each forming drum 12 a carcass structure 14 comprising at least a portion of the carcass plies 4a, 4b, liner 5, anchoring annular structures 6 and possibly sidewalls 11.

At the same time, in the crown building line, one or more auxiliary drums 13 are moved in sequence between different work stations arranged to form on each auxiliary drum 13 a crown structure 15 comprising at least the belt structure 8, the tread band 9 and possibly at least a portion of the sidewalls 11.

In the above-mentioned assembly work station 1, the crown structure 15 is coupled to the carcass structure 14.

The assembly station 1 comprises a transfer device 16 comprising a base 17 fixed on the ground and an annular support structure 18 mounted on the base 17. The annular support structure 18 carries, at a radially inner portion thereof, a plurality of gripping elements 19 arranged in a ring and having gripping surfaces 20 directed radially towards the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the annular support structure 18 and of the transfer device 16. The longitudinal axis "Z-Z" is preferably horizontal.

The gripping elements 19 are movable in a radial direction with respect to the annular support structure 18 between a first configuration and a second configuration, in a manner known in the art and therefore not described in detail, by means of actuators, not shown, operatively arranged between each gripping element 19 and the annular support structure 18. The clamping elements 19 are circumferentially spaced further apart from each other and radially spaced further apart from the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" in a first configuration than in a second configuration in which the clamping members are closer to each other and closer to said longitudinal axis "Z-Z".

The gripping elements 19 are also provided with needles on the gripping surface 20 and, by means of the aforementioned needles, the gripping elements 19 are able to hold a tyre being processed, such as the crown structure 15, on the gripping surface 20.

The assembly station 1 comprises (fig. 1) a movement device 21 defined by an anthropomorphic robot having at least six axes and an auxiliary movement device 22 also defined by an anthropomorphic robot having at least six axes, for example, arranged on opposite sides of the transfer device 16.

The movement device 21 comprises an extremity 23 provided with a gripping device configured for coupling or releasing the building drum 12 carrying the carcass structure 14.

The movement means 21 are thus able to support and move the forming drum 12. Thanks to the movement device 21, each forming drum 12 carried by said movement device 21 has six degrees of freedom and can be spatially oriented as required. The building drum 12 with the carcass structure 14 formed in the carcass building line is picked up from the moving device 21 for operatively coupling the building drum to the transfer device 16, as will be explained hereinafter.

The auxiliary moving device 22 comprises a tip 24 provided with gripping devices configured for coupling or releasing the auxiliary drum 13 carrying the crown structure 15.

Therefore, the auxiliary moving device 22 can support and move the auxiliary drum 13. Thanks to the auxiliary movement device 22, each auxiliary drum 13 carried by said auxiliary movement device 22 has six degrees of freedom and can be spatially oriented as required. The auxiliary drum 13 with the crown structure 15 formed in the crown building line is picked up from the auxiliary movement device 22, so that it is also operatively coupled with the transfer device 16, as will be explained below.

The forming drum 12 comprises: a shaft 25 coaxial with the rotation axis 26 of the forming drum 12; and a pair of half-drums 27 mounted coaxially on the shaft 25 and movable close to or away from each other in a direction parallel to the rotation axis 26 by means not shown. The tip 23 of the movement means 21 is configured to be coupled with the tip of the shaft 25 of the forming drum 12, so as to protrudingly support said forming drum 12.

The auxiliary drum 13 comprises a plurality of sectors 28 arranged in succession around a rotation axis 29 thereof and defining a radially external laying surface for the crown structure 15. A mechanism, not shown, allows the sectors 28 to move radially in order to move them between a radially expanded configuration and a radially contracted configuration.

The tip 24 of the auxiliary moving device 22 is configured to be coupled with a central portion of the auxiliary drum 13 at an axial end portion of the auxiliary drum 13 to protrudingly support the auxiliary drum 13.

According to the method according to the invention, in assembly workstation 1, auxiliary movement device 22 carries auxiliary drum 13 with crown structure 15 into transfer device 16, i.e. into a radially inner position with respect to gripping surface 20 of gripping element 19, while gripping element 19 is in the respective first configuration (spaced radially further from longitudinal axis "Z-Z") and auxiliary drum 13 is in its radially expanded configuration. In this position, the gripping elements 19 are arranged around the auxiliary drum 13 and the crown structure 15, and the gripping surfaces 20 are directed radially towards the radially outer portion of the crown structure 15.

The gripping elements 19 are partially spaced towards the second configuration until the gripping surfaces 20 are brought into contact with the radially external portion of the crown structure 15. The presence of the above-mentioned needles allows to make the crown structure 15 integral with the gripping elements 19. At this point, the sectors 28 of the auxiliary drum 13 are moved into the radially contracted configuration and they are disengaged from the crown structure 15, releasing said crown structure 15, which remains supported only by the gripping elements 19 of the transfer device 16. The auxiliary moving device 22 is therefore provided for extracting the auxiliary drum 13 from the transfer device 16 while the crown structure 15 remains on the transfer device 16.

At this point, the movement device 21 supporting the carcass structure 14 carries the forming drum 12 with the carcass structure 14 into the transfer device 16, i.e. into a radially inner position with respect to the crown structure 15 supported by the gripping elements 19. In this position, the crown structure 15 is arranged around the carcass structure 14.

By mutual approaching of the two half-drums 27 of the building drum 12 (which contributes to determining the radial expansion of the carcass structure 14), the radially inner surface of the crown structure 15 is coupled to the radially outer surface of the carcass structure 14. The crown structure 15 is attached to the carcass structure 14 and released by the gripping elements 19.

The movement device 21 can therefore bring the forming drum 12 with the tyre being processed provided with the carcass structure 14 and the crown structure 15 towards further possible processing work stations and/or moulding and vulcanisation units.

In order to ensure the correct positioning and assembly of the crown structure 15 with the carcass structure 14, the position of the auxiliary drum 13 relative to the transfer device 16 during picking up of the crown structure 15 and the position of the forming drum 12 relative to said transfer device 16 during association of the carcass structure 14 with the crown structure 15 must be clear and precise.

In particular, each of the aforementioned forming drum 12 and auxiliary drum 13 must be longitudinally centred and coaxial with respect to the transfer device 16 in the respective operating step. As already indicated previously, the "longitudinal centering" of the drum with respect to the transfer device 16 refers to the correspondence between the centre of the drum and the centre of the transfer device 16, and the "coaxiality" between the tyre being processed and the transfer device 16 refers to the coincidence of the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 with the axis of rotation of the tyre being processed, i.e. the two axes are not inclined with respect to each other and/or are not laterally offset with respect to each other.

In order to check and possibly adjust the centering of the auxiliary drum 13 and of the crown structure 15 with respect to the transfer device 16 when the auxiliary drum 13 and the crown structure 15 are placed inside the transfer device 16, the transfer device 16 comprises a measuring device 30 mounted on the toroidal support structure 18.

The measuring device 30 is also used to check and possibly adjust the centering of the building drum 12 and the carcass structure 14 with respect to the transfer device 16 when the building drum 12 and the carcass structure 14 are placed in the transfer device 16.

As the positioning of the crown structure 15 on the auxiliary drum 13 is precise, i.e. the rotation axis 29 of the auxiliary drum 13 coincides with the rotation axis of the crown structure 15 and the mid-line plane of the auxiliary drum coincides with the mid-line plane of the crown structure 15, the centering of the crown structure 15 with respect to the transfer device 16 is operated between said transfer device 16 and the auxiliary drum 13.

Similarly, centring of the carcass structure 14 with respect to the transfer device 16 is operated between said transfer device 16 and the building drum 12, since the positioning of the carcass structure 14 on the building drum 12 is precise, i.e. the rotation axis 26 of the building drum 12 coincides with the rotation axis of the carcass structure 14 and the mid-line plane of the building drum 12 coincides with the mid-line plane of the carcass structure 14.

In the embodiment shown and according to the method of the invention, the measuring device 30 is configured for detecting a longitudinal displacement "Δ Z" between the centre 31 of the transfer device 16 and the centres 32 of the crown structure 15 and of the auxiliary drum 13, along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis "Z-Z", and for detecting the coaxiality between the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 and the axis of rotation 29 of the crown structure 15 and of the auxiliary drum 13.

Similarly, the measuring device 30 is configured for detecting the longitudinal displacement "Δ Z" between the centre 31 of the transfer device 16 and the centre 33 of the carcass structure 14 and the forming drum 12 along the above-mentioned direction parallel to the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" and for detecting the coaxiality between the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 and the rotation axis 26 of the carcass structure 14 and the forming drum 12.

The measuring device 30 comprises a sensor 34 mounted on a lateral portion of the annular support structure 18. Sensor 34 is a laser aiming sensor (e.g., laser micrometer IG-028K)EYENCE^TM) Comprising a transmitter 35 and a receiver 36 arranged in diametrically opposite positions of the annular support structure 18 and extending laterally with respect to the annular support structure 18. The emitter 35 and the receiver 36 face each other so as to generate a laminar laser beam 37, said laminar laser beam 37 extending between the emitter 35 and the receiver 36 and lying in a radial plane of the transfer device 16, i.e. in a plane in which the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" also lies. The emitter 35 and the receiver 36 are positioned so that the laminar beam 37 emitted by the emitter 35 at least partially strikes the radially external laying surface (formed by the sectors 28) of the auxiliary drum 13 and is therefore at least partially inaccessible to the receiver 36. In practice, the longitudinal ends of the auxiliary drum 13 project from opposite sides of the transfer device 16.

Depending on the blocked portion of the layer stream 37, the sensor 34, through a control unit (not shown, operatively connected to the measuring device 30) of the assembly workstation 1, is able to provide a longitudinal displacement "Δ Z" of the auxiliary drum 13 with respect to the transfer device 16 and therefore of the crown structure 15 arranged on the auxiliary drum 13 with respect to the transfer device 16 (fig. 3). In other words, the longitudinal displacement "Δ Z" is detected by measuring the longitudinal distance parallel to the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" between the lateral end of the transfer device 16 and the longitudinal end of the auxiliary drum 13 and calculating the longitudinal displacement "Δ Z" starting from said longitudinal distance.

In the same way, the sensor 34 and the control unit are able to provide a longitudinal displacement "Δ Z" of the forming drum 12 with respect to the transfer device 16 when the forming drum 12 is located inside the transfer device 16. In this case, the laminar beam 37 emitted by the emitter 35 at least partially impinges on the longitudinal end of the forming drum 12 or shaft 25.

The illustrated measuring device 30 further comprises: a first set of distance sensors 38, 39, 40, 41 mounted on a first one of two longitudinally opposite lateral portions of the annular supporting structure 18 (on the right in fig. 1); and a second set of distance sensors 38', 39', 40', 41' mounted on a second (to the left in fig. 1) of the two longitudinally opposite lateral portions of the annular supporting structure 18. The function of these distance sensors is to detect the coaxiality between the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 and the axis of rotation 29 of the crown structure 15 and of the auxiliary drum 13. The above-mentioned distance sensors 38, 39, 40, 41, 38', 39', 40', 41' are fixed in operation with respect to the annular support structure 18. The position of the distance sensor may be adjusted to calibrate the system.

For example, but not necessarily, each of the first and second sets of distance sensors includes four distance sensors that are substantially angularly equidistant from each other. The first and second sets of distance sensors 38, 39, 40, 41, 38', 39', 40', 41' are located on a first plane P1 and a second plane P2 (fig. 1, 3 and 4) that are symmetrical about the midline plane 42 of the transfer device 16. Each distance sensor being of the laser type, e.g. KEYENCE^TML K-G400 series and comprises a transmitter and a receiver (not shown in detail) alongside one another, the transmitter and the receiver being substantially directed towards the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16.

Each of the distance sensors 38, 39, 40, 41 of the first set measures a respective radial distance R1, R2, R3, R4 on a first plane P1 between said distance sensor and the radially outer surface (defined by the sectors 28) of the longitudinal end (the one located on the right in fig. 4) of the auxiliary drum 13 (when the auxiliary drum 13 is located inside the transfer device 16).

Each of the distance sensors 38', 39', 40', 41' of the second group measures a respective radial distance R on a second plane P2 between said distance sensor and the radially outer surface (always defined by the sectors 28) of the other longitudinal end (the one on the left in fig. 4) of said auxiliary drum 13₁'、R₂'、R₃'、R₄'。

In fig. 4, the first plane P1 and the second plane P2 are perpendicular to the drawing plane, parallel to the midline plane 42 of the transfer device 16, and symmetrical about the midline plane.

Since the opposite longitudinal ends of the auxiliary drum 13 project laterally from the transfer device 16, they serve as targets for measuring the radial distance. The radial distance is detected at the radially outer surface of the opposite longitudinal end of the auxiliary drum 13 projecting laterally (in the longitudinal direction) beyond the end edge of the crown structure 15 wound on the auxiliary drum 13.

The laser beam emitted by the emitter of each distance sensor 38, 39, 40, 41, 38', 39', 40', 41' strikes the auxiliary drum 13, is reflected and then captured by the corresponding receiver of the same distance sensor 38, 39, 40, 41, 38', 39', 40', 41'.

From the measured radial distances R1, R2, R3, R4, R₁'、R₂'、R₃'，R₄' initially, the control unit calculates the position of the rotation axis 29 of the auxiliary drum 13 with respect to a frame of reference integral with the transfer device 16 and therefore with respect to the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of said transfer device 16. The two axes 29, "Z-Z" mentioned above may be: overlapping; parallel to and spaced apart from each other; are inclined and intersect with respect to each other; tilted and spaced apart (skewed).

Examples of calculation methods are reported below by way of example only.

For this purpose, the frame of reference used is the clockwise three axes "x", "y", "z", the origin of which is at the centre 31 of the transfer device 16. Axis "Z" coincides with longitudinal axis "Z-Z", axis "x" being vertical and therefore axis "y" in fig. 4, going away from the plane of the drawing.

Referring to FIG. 4, since the distance "Rz" between the sensor 38, 38 'and the sensor 40, 40' along the axis "z" is known, the distance sensor 38, 40, 38', 40' detects the radial distances R1, R3, R parallel to the axis "x₁'、R₃', which allows to calculate the inclination "α x" and the displacement "dx" between the axis of rotation 29 of the auxiliary drum 13 and the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 along the axis "x" in the planes "x, Z".

Similarly, since the same distance "Rz" along the axis "z" is known between the sensors 39, 39 'and 41, 41', the distance sensors 39, 41, 39', 41' detect the radial distances R2, R4, R parallel to the axis "y₂'、R₄', which allows to calculate in the plane "y, Z" the rotation axis 29 of the auxiliary drum 13 and the longitudinal axis "Z-" of the transfer device 16The inclination "α y" and the displacement "dy" between Z "along the axis" y ".

Such inclinations "α x", "α y" and distances "dx", "dy" are used to assess the non-coaxiality between the axis of rotation 29 of the auxiliary drum 13 and the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16.

According to a calculation variant, the distances R1, R2, R3, R4, R₁'、R₂'、R₃'、R₄' allowing to calculate, in each of said first plane P1 and said second plane P2 measuring such distances, a respective first center "C1" lying on the first plane P1 and a respective second center "C2" lying on the second plane P2, wherein the rotation axis 29 of the auxiliary drum 13 passes through said first and second centers "C1", "C2" (fig. 4 and 5). The distance between each of the two centers "C1", "C2" and the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" is used to assess non-coaxiality.

In the same way, the distance sensors 38, 39, 40, 41, 38', 39', 40', 41' are able to detect, by means of the control unit, a non-coaxiality between the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 and the rotation axis 26 of the carcass structure 14 and of the forming drum 12. In this case, the radial distance is detected at the radially outer surface of the carcass structure 14 or shaft 25 carried by the building drum 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly workstation 1 is able to generate warning and alarm signals if the centring (as coaxiality and/or longitudinal centring) between the auxiliary drum 13 and the transfer device 16 and/or between the forming drum 12 and the transfer device 16 does not fall within predetermined thresholds. These thresholds may be the same for the building drum 12 and the auxiliary drum 13, or they may even be different.

The control unit may be programmed to generate a first warning signal if the longitudinal shift "az" exceeds a first threshold value of the longitudinal shift, e.g. +/-2mm, and to generate a second warning signal if the longitudinal shift "az" exceeds a second threshold value of the longitudinal shift, e.g. +/-3mm, said second threshold value being greater than said first threshold value.

The coaxiality or non-coaxiality is evaluated, for example, as a function of the position of the first centre "C1" with respect to the point of intersection of the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 with the first plane P1 and as a function of the position of the second centre "C2" with respect to the point of intersection of the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 with the second plane P2.

Considering a first radius of a circle centred on the intersection of the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" with the first plane P1 and passing through the first centre "C1" and a second radius of a circle centred on the intersection of the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" with the second plane P1 and passing through the second centre "C2", the control unit may be programmed to generate the second warning signal if the first radius and/or the second radius exceed a first threshold value for non-coaxiality, for example +/-1mm, and to generate the second warning signal if the first radius and/or the second radius exceed a second threshold value for non-coaxiality, for example +/-2mm, which is greater than the first threshold value.

The warning signal is followed by an interruption (block) of the building apparatus or assembly station 1.

The control unit is also configured to record centering errors (in terms of coaxiality and/or longitudinal centering) with respect to the subsequent assembly of the tyre, so as to collect historical data to be used for evaluating the progressive course of the errors and for their correlation with the data relating to the uniformity of the tyre produced.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly workstation 1 is able to feedback correct the position of the auxiliary drum 13 and/or the forming drum 12 with respect to the transfer device 16 when said drums 12, 13 are located in the transfer device 16, so as to always obtain an optimal centering. Such control is performed, for example, by resetting the reference coordinates of the movement means 21 and of the auxiliary movement means 22 according to the detected errors of mutual positioning (longitudinal centering and/or coaxiality).

For this purpose, the control unit is operatively connected to the measuring device 30 and to the auxiliary movement device 22 and is programmed to: receiving an auxiliary signal from the measuring device 30 regarding the longitudinal displacement "Δ Z" of the auxiliary drum 13; calculating from said auxiliary signal a first error in the longitudinal centering of the auxiliary drum 13 with respect to the transfer device 16; the position of the auxiliary moving device 22 is feedback-controlled so as to longitudinally center the auxiliary drum 13 with respect to the transfer device 16.

The control unit is also operatively connected to the movement means 21 and is programmed to: receiving a signal from the measuring device 30 regarding the longitudinal displacement "Δ Z" of the forming drum 12; calculating from said signals a second error in the longitudinal centering of the forming drum 12 with respect to the transfer device 16; the position of the movement means 21 is feedback controlled in order to longitudinally centre the forming drum 12 with respect to the transfer device 16.

Longitudinal centering is achieved if the first and second longitudinal shifts "Δ Z" are eliminated or better brought below a reference longitudinal shift (for example equal to 1 mm).

The control unit is further programmed to: receiving from the measuring device 30 the radial distances R1, R2, R3, R4 with respect to the auxiliary drum 14₁'、R₂'、R₃'、R₄' a distance signal; calculating the position of the axis of rotation 29 of the auxiliary drum 13 from said distance signal; the position of the auxiliary movement device 22 is feedback-controlled so as to make the auxiliary drum 13 and the transfer device 16 coaxial, i.e. so that the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 substantially coincides with the axis of rotation 29 of the auxiliary drum 13 and of the crown structure 15.

The control unit is further programmed to: receiving from the measuring device 30 information about radial distances R1, R2, R3, R4 from the building drum 12₁'、R₂'、R₃'、R₄' a distance signal; calculating the position of the axis of rotation 26 of the building drum 12 from the distance signal; the movement device 21 is feedback-controlled in position so as to make the building drum 12 and the transfer device 16 coaxial, i.e. so as to make the longitudinal axis "Z-Z" of the transfer device 16 substantially coincident with the axis of rotation 26 of the building drum 12 and of the carcass structure 14.

If the first radius and the second radius are eliminated or better they are brought below a reference radius (said reference radius being e.g. 0.5mm), the coaxiality is considered to be achieved.

The types of drums (building drum and auxiliary drum) described in this specification are non-limiting. In other embodiments, not described in detail, the transfer device may operate with other types of drums carrying the tyres being processed.