A staff led by Chris Williams, the L.S. Randolph Professor in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech, has obtained a $1.5 million grant from the REMADE Institute to develop a novel 3D printing course of for tire retreading within the business automobile trade.
The undertaking goals to enhance the effectivity of the retreading course of and scale back waste and emissions. Presently, when business automobile tires put on out, they bear retreading, which entails buffing the tire’s floor and making use of a brand new layer of tread. Whereas retreading reduces waste in comparison with changing tires completely, there are nonetheless inefficiencies within the system, leading to extra materials waste and potential drops in gasoline effectivity.
Williams’s staff plans to combine advances in polymer science, 3D scanning, 3D printing, and industrial robotics to boost the retreading course of. The objective is to cut back waste by roughly 90 metric kilotons of tire waste and 800 metric kilotons of CO2 emissions yearly throughout the retreading trade.
The staff will use 3D scanning applied sciences and new supplies immune to the calls for of business automobile tires. Industrial robots will selectively print these supplies onto particular areas of the used tires.
The undertaking aligns with the REMADE Institute’s mission to speed up the nation’s transition to a round financial system. By maximizing the reuse and recycling of supplies, a round financial system goals to enhance effectivity and scale back waste. The anticipated outcomes of this undertaking will contribute to the US’ power conservation and emissions discount targets.
Collaborators from Virginia Tech, Arizona State College, and Michelin will contribute their experience in polymer science, high-performance elastomer synthesis, tire design and efficiency characterization, and industrial sustainability objectives. The undertaking would require a transdisciplinary method, contemplating supplies, additive manufacturing processes, and tire efficiency.
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