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Kumho eyes lasers for cutting tread patterns

24 September 2009 16:23 (UTC +04:00)

Bakuâ€“ APA-Economics. First it was scented tires, then colored smoke. Now Kumho Tire Co. Ltd. is developing laser technology that it claims will allow it to cut tread patterns into tires using lasers, Tirebusiness reported.
â€œThe new laser technology will allow us far more freedom at the design stage and the ability to experiment with any number of patterns and surface finishes,â€ said Roger Jenkins, managing director of Kumhoâ€™s Birmingham, England-based European Technical Centre.
â€œIn the future, the process could also provide production tires with a variety of short-term gains â€” such as special surfaces for use in motorsport or driving on low friction surfaces, etc.â€
Kumho released the information and an illustration of a laser-cut tire in connection with the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, which opens to the public this weekend and runs through Sept. 27.
Mr. Jenkins said Kumho intends to mold its tread patterns in the normal way, but then add features using the laser-cutting system.
Lasers have been used for a few years to cut identification patterns into the sidewall of the tire, but up to now have only been able to create impressions a few millimetres deep in rubber, while a typical tread pattern is at least 7mm deep. Industry experts suggested that the laser will have to use multiple passes to get the required tread depth.