Continental puts new CT scanner for tire testing into operation
•New testing facility makes tire prototype testing even more efficient
•1.4 million invested in Continental Stöcken site
•Scanning of 850 tires per year now possible
Hanover, 2012. Continental has put a new tire testing facility into operation at the Research and Development Center in Hanover Stöcken, which enables quicker and more efficient scanning of passenger and commercial vehicle tires The existing facility has been significantly expanded for this purpose, so that now testing of the internal tire components under driving conditions can be carried out. “With our new CT scanning facility we can simulate driving situations such as braking, accelerating and entering curves so exactly that we can observe the internal components of a tire under the conditions which affect them most,“ as André Baumgart, director of the testing center, described the new facility. “In addition, the scanning can be carried out even more efficiently, so that we can test around 850 passenger and commercial vehicle tires annually.” The facility, which has just been completed, weighs a total of approx. 14 tons, and required the investment sum of € 1.4 million. CT scanning procedure is most typically used in hospitals to detect diseases.
For Continental’s Research and Development this so-called “non-destructive analysis” is very instructive, as only this method allows observance of the behavior of the individual components under realistic conditions. Depending on the particular stress situation, the internal components of the tire are altered, for example the steel cords in the casing change their positions relative to each other. This can affect the handling of a tire in a positive or negative way. By simulating and observing the changes which occur in a tire while driving, tire developers at Continental have the opportunity to design the best possible new prototypes for the road which reflect the forces which affect them.
With the new LINAC (Linear Electronic Accumulation) facility it is now possible to make the internal components of a tire significantly more visible. For example, the tire’s fit onto the rim can be precisely analyzed, or to simulate driving conditions, lateral forces of up to three tons or wheel loads of up to six tons can be created. The wheel alignment can be adjusted with an accuracy of up to 5 degrees.
“We are not testing standard situations here, though,“ says Baumgart. “For us it‘s also important to be able to observe the behavior of the components when exposed to too little tire pressure or overloading of the vehicle.“ For the tire developers it is important that their products can ensure a high level of safety under conditions over and above the norm. “This new facility will make a good contribution to our safety objective,“ Baumgart declared.
Continental Corporation
Continental is one of the world’s major automotive suppliers, with sales of €30.5 billion in 2011. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomer products, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 167,000 employees in 46 countries.
www.continental-corporation.com
Tire Division
In August 2011, the Passenger and Light Truck, the Commercial Vehicle Tire and the Industrial Tire business units, as well as the Two-Wheel Tire activities were incorporated into the Tire Division from an organizational perspective. As one of the world’s leading tire manufacturers with more than 41,000 employees, the division achieved cumulative sales of more than €8.8 billion in 2011. The Tire division currently has 22 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility.
Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Continental is one of the leading manufacturers of passenger and light truck tires in Europe and the world’s fourth largest passenger tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement market. The product development focus of the Continental premium brand is to optimize all safety-relevant characteristics, while simultaneously minimizing rolling resistance.
www.continental-reifen.de
Commercial Vehicle Tires
The Commercial Vehicle Tire business unit had sales of more than €1.8 billion in 2011, making it one of the largest manufacturers of truck, bus and industrial tires worldwide.
www.continental-truck-tires.com
Sponsorship
Continental’s Tire division is an official sponsor of the German DFB Cup, UEFA EURO 2012TM in Poland and the Ukraine, and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
www.ContiSoccerWorld.de
