WIKA: Heavy-Duty Pressure Transmitter for Tire Curing
May 2022
MARIETTA, GA ~
Tired of high maintenance costs due to measuring instrumentation failure during the curing process, a major tire manufacturer switched to WIKA’s S-20 heavy-duty industrial pressure transmitter for reliable performance and a significantly longer service life.
Automotive technology continues to evolve, with alternative fuels, advanced electronics, digital connectivity, and more. But one aspect remains fairly unchanged: the tires. The vast majority of today’s tires, no matter how basic or high performance they are, undergo vulcanization, or curing, to make them roadworthy.
Making and Curing Tires
The tire curing press is a round mold with a bladder in the center. Hot water or steam is pumped into this bladder, which expands and presses the raw tire against the sides of the hot mold. Under high pressure and temperature, the rubber compound vulcanizes into flexible, elastic rubber. The mold also gives the tire its final shape and sidewall markings.
The Role of Pressure and Temperature in a Tire Curing Press
Pressure measurement during vulcanization
Temperature measurement during vulcanization
Problem: Failing Pressure Transmitters During Curing
After looking at the manufacturer’s curing presses and the failed pressure transmitters, WIKA specialists discovered that there was nothing wrong with the equipment or the process. Their current sensors, however, were not robust enough to withstand the press’s challenging process conditions:
Rapid pressure and temperature changes
High temperatures
Continuous pressure cycles
Overpressure and vacuum pressure
Corrosive sulfurous atmosphere
WIKA’s Heavy-Duty Solution for Extreme Conditions
With a robust, all stainless steel design, the S-20 withstands vibration, shock, and aggressive media. This versatile sensor offers all the standard industry output signals, process and electrical connections, and measuring ranges up to 20,000 psi (1,600 bar) in all the major units, make it easy to integrate into almost any application. With a cooling element like the
910.32, this heavy-duty transmitter’s temperature range extends up to 392°F (200°C).
Besides the cooling element, we also suggested the
990.34 all-welded diaphragm seal to separate the transmitter from hot, corrosive, or clogging media. Also, adding the
MW diaphragm pressure switch provides additional protection during the curing process by ensuring the safety interlock system does not prematurely open until a safe preset pressure is reached.
WIKA USA, Part of Your Tire Building Business
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For
additional information or a product recommendation, please contact FLW Southeast
sales@flwse.com |