On Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 8:19:02 AM UTC-8, AMuzi wrote:
>
> Actually, the tire components (casing layers, bands, beads)
> are assembled:
>
http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2012/03/Michelin-Defender-Structure-Cutaway.jpg
>
> And then coated, hot molded in a multi-part form:
>
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/NFH0eitZ-aA/maxresdefault.jpg
>
> Basically the same process for bicycle tires, tractor tires,
> race car tires, whatever.
After thinking about it I just returned to make some corrections. The seam mark down the center of the time shows that what is happening is that they inflate the casing partially. glue on the belts, glue on some spacers and then set this thing into the bottom half mold, close the top half and then INJECT the rubber. I don't think that the rubber needs to be very hot to be liquid enough to be injected and it can be of a rubber that hardens quite a bit and fills on all of the areas.
Bicycle tires are no doubt so expensive compared to really high quality car tires because there is so much hand work.