Here is an interesting short article on tire uniformity:
http://www.tirereview.com/article/75476/from_plant_to_store_todays_tires_must_be_in_balance.aspx
Some excerpts:
"....................Two decades ago, all tires were built entirely by hand. Talented, well-trained tire builders would apply beads, plies and other components on a rotating drum to form an uncured tire. But even a builder’s extensive experience couldn’t prevent deviations in splice widths and locations, which would create heavy and light spots in finished products.
Today, computer-controlled equipment applies a tire’s components and adjusts to constant feedback from monitoring equipment. Precise positioning and uniform splices produce near-perfectly balanced tires, even for tires that still see a bit of hand-crafting............."
"...........All tire companies were hesitant to specify their tolerance goals, but Franklin says every tire leaving a Goodyear plant is screened to stay well within auto manufacturers’ tolerance requirements. “Every tire is mounted on a highly accurate, true-balance, split-wheel system for inspection. If it doesn’t pass the test, it doesn’t leave the plant.”
Michelin said it uses standard industry uniformity machines to measure radial and lateral forces, as well as imbalance and runout of tires it produces. Concentricity is part of those measurements. The company sets tight limits for all measured parameters, based on actual vehicle testing, as well as consumer feedback.
The end result is that balancing really isn’t needed for a top-brand tire when it first arrives at a dealership........."
"......Then there is the wheel itself, which no one can assume is perfectly balanced – or even as close to perfect as a top-end tire would be...."
http://www.tirereview.com/article/75476/from_plant_to_store_todays_tires_must_be_in_balance.aspx
Some excerpts:
"....................Two decades ago, all tires were built entirely by hand. Talented, well-trained tire builders would apply beads, plies and other components on a rotating drum to form an uncured tire. But even a builder’s extensive experience couldn’t prevent deviations in splice widths and locations, which would create heavy and light spots in finished products.
Today, computer-controlled equipment applies a tire’s components and adjusts to constant feedback from monitoring equipment. Precise positioning and uniform splices produce near-perfectly balanced tires, even for tires that still see a bit of hand-crafting............."
"...........All tire companies were hesitant to specify their tolerance goals, but Franklin says every tire leaving a Goodyear plant is screened to stay well within auto manufacturers’ tolerance requirements. “Every tire is mounted on a highly accurate, true-balance, split-wheel system for inspection. If it doesn’t pass the test, it doesn’t leave the plant.”
Michelin said it uses standard industry uniformity machines to measure radial and lateral forces, as well as imbalance and runout of tires it produces. Concentricity is part of those measurements. The company sets tight limits for all measured parameters, based on actual vehicle testing, as well as consumer feedback.
The end result is that balancing really isn’t needed for a top-brand tire when it first arrives at a dealership........."
"......Then there is the wheel itself, which no one can assume is perfectly balanced – or even as close to perfect as a top-end tire would be...."
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