With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, Tire Technology Expo 2024 is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best yet. Held on March 19, 20 and 21, 2024, at the Deutsche Messe in Hannover, Germany, the show includes a superb line-up of exhibitors, conference topics and speakers, as well as a range of accredited short courses, the official Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence, and ample opportunity for peer-to-peer networking. Register for your free fast-track exhibition entry pass here.
The exhibition
The industry’s premier technology showcase, the free-to-attend exhibition features all the latest equipment and materials from more than 240 specialist suppliers, covering the complete spectrum of the tire manufacturing process.
Exhibitor highlights include the latest in recycled materials, test and inspection systems, high-speed imaging solutions, green tire technology, carbon black, RFID, tracking and identification labeling, and in-line quality measurement systems.
For example, Bekaert will introduce its Recycled Content Steel Standard, which goes beyond mere integration of recycled materials; it establishes stringent criteria for recycled content claims in steel wire products, focusing on controlled blending and physical segregation of materials for high traceability and integrity.
Uster Technologies will showcase the Uster Q-Bar 2, an inspection system designed to ensure full process control, enhance first quality and minimize waste in tire cord weaving. By automating defect detection with precision, the system accurately identifies various defects, including subtle imperfections like oil stains or transparent lubricants, enabling real-time fault detection and documentation.
Xsensor will explain how its High-Speed (HS) Tire system revolutionizes tire design and testing by providing precise contact-patch pressure data essential for understanding tire behavior at speed. Using high-speed sensors, the system offers reliable data even on tracks with varying conditions, enabling visualization of fine tire details, capturing tread details at over 450Hz, up to speeds of 150km/h.
MAE Industria Gomma (MIG), following a successful stint at Tire Technology Expo 2023, will demonstrate its expertise in bladder production at the 2024 show. The company offers various forms of cooperation, including providing bladders from its existing range, crafting new bladders based on customer specifications, and producing bladders using customer-supplied molds.
Sick’s high-speed 3D camera, Ruler3000, will be on show, equipped with a 3R laser, it is designed to ensure precise measurements on dark rubber at full production speed. Coupled with Sick Nova software, it enables rapid configuration and result communication via a web browser. The software supports various vision applications with comprehensive image processing tool sets, making the camera suitable for tasks like tire uniformity, splice detection and DOT code reading.
The awards
Key industry achievements will also be recognized at the event, during a live presentation of the Tire Technology International Awards for Innovation and Excellence. The awards are decided by the votes of a panel of experts from the tire industry and academia. The winners will be announced during the Expo.
The 2023 awards saw the debut of a host of new categories – which enable the awards to recognize and reward an even greater selection of worthy winners – and these will remain in place for the 2024 awards. The full shortlist is available here.
The conference
Bringing together leading industry figures, the Tire Technology Expo Conference will consist of three days of presentations, discussions and networking on the latest developments in tire manufacturing, sustainability and the global tire business.
The conference will feature more than 180 expert speakers from leading companies and institutions, such as Michelin, Apollo Tyres, Sumitomo Rubber Industries, GDSO, Kumho Tire, Jaguar Land Rover, University of Twente and many more, including the European Commission.
Leading speakers include: Li Yanguo, compound and material research, Linglong Tire; Guy Heywood, vice president, Hankook Tire Europe; Mohammad Behroozi, senior vehicle dynamicist, GM; Tetsuya Maeakwa, manager – material planning, Sumitomo Rubber Industries; Jan Prins, technical group leader for wheel and tire development and modeling, JLR; and Dalia Broggi, project manager, scientific research, European Commission.
With new topics and streams announced for 2024, the conference is set to bring more insight than ever. In addition to its regular content, speakers will discuss AI applications in tire R&D and manufacturing, intelligent connected tires, sensors and data acquisition, sustainable tire manufacturing, the circular economy and mitigating TRWP. This year there will be more than 40 presentations on simulation, modeling and test and development alone – you can view presentation highlights here.
Short courses
Three short courses will be held concurrently with the exhibition and conference.
The University of Akron Tire Mechanics is a four-day short course held on March 18, 19, 20 & 21, 2024. Starting the day before the exhibition opens, it will provide engineers and scientists with an in-depth, intense study of the latest developments surrounding tire engineering. The basic and practical aspects of the mechanics of pneumatic tires will be introduced by internationally renowned experts in tire mechanics, and those who complete this course will receive a certificate from The University of Akron.
The Tire Modeling and its Application in Tire and Vehicle Development three-day short course (March 18-20) will be organized and co-presented by Mohammad Behroozi from GM. The course covers computer modeling of tires in a full vehicle system and is aimed at engineers and researchers working in industry or academia. The subject matter will be of primary interest to vehicle dynamics engineers, for whom the tire is the primary force and moment generation element on the vehicle. It is also useful for engineering managers who wish to understand existing tire modeling activity and its challenges, or to successfully implement new tire simulation processes in the workplace.
The 10th Tire Reinforcement Materials, Applications and Fatigue Testing one-day short course (March 18) will provide an understanding of the use of materials and constructions for rubber reinforcement in the tire. This course is intended for tire reinforcement engineers from design and material laboratory departments at tire manufacturers and their reinforcement suppliers.
Please visit www.tiretechnology-expo.com for the full exhibitor list, conference program and short courses schedule, and to register for your free exhibition entry pass. You can read Tire Technology International’s full show preview, here.
