SDS Systemtechnik Offer Flexible In-Line Inspection Solutions

In the ten years or so since Calw, Germany, based engineering company SDS Systemtechnik began the serial production of industrial tyre testing systems in 1998, the company has established itself as a global leader, particularly in the specialised field of shearography. SDS, which today employs 15 full time people plus temporary staff supplies a wide range of tyre inspection solutions ranging from standalone to fully integrated in-line systems.

These days the company's customer base includes the majority of the world's leading new tyre manufacturers as well as R&D centres, testing labs and racetracks. However, according to company founder Stefan Dengler, the retreading industry still makes up over 70% of the company's business. Today the company can boast over 350 installations worldwide and can supply an impressive list of references from around the world including Michelin, Bridgestone, Goodyear, Marangoni Pneumatici, Insa Turbo, Tipler, Drebor, Big Wheel etc. as well as a large number of leading German retreaders such as Pneuhage, Reifen Günther, Ihle, Reiff etc.

From their headquarters in the Black Forest SDS not only carries out the manufacturing of its range of machinery - the company also carries out design and prototyping as well as preventative maintenance and support. This is carried out by a young, flexible and highly skilled workforce, who have helped the company achieve strong representation on a worldwide basis. As well as Europe, SDS is strong in Northand South America but has also achieved notable successes in Asia.

SDS's success has been built on the development of a cost effective interferometric tyre tester, the history of which goes back to 1973 when the machine developed by Dr. Ralph Grant cost 500,000 US Dollars and took 10 minutes to scan a tyre. Today SDS produces a number of different versions of its ITT machine, designed to meet the needs of different market sectors. The ITT 1 is the most popular system aimed at the retreading sector. However, other versions are available including the ITT Compact (for car and motorcycle tyres and aimed at test tracks race tracks etc.), the ITT 2 (aimed at larger retreaders and new tyre industry) and test systems for OTR tyres with the ITT- 2xx (the most flexible system) and test chambers. SDS is just building such a system with an automated loading and unloading system for automatic testing of tyres from 14" up to 63"!

In addition to its shearography equipment, SDS offers a number of conveying solutions (in- or offline turnover fixture , flat- or monorail conveyors) and other innovative solutions, which can be either purchased individually or integrated together with the ITT range.

PTS Automatic Pressure Tester

The PTS Automatic Pressure Tester works by means of a triangulation scanner, a rotation device with an inflating system and an image analysis system. The system tests tyres under low and high pressure and tracks the differences in the tyre structure.

The machine is ideal for use together with the ITT because it is effective in precisely those areas where shearography has limitations. For example with shearography the tyre structure is not stressed during the test in a vacuum. Also structural defects do not necessarily cause separations and pressure testing can bring to light structural anomalies that shearography won't pick up. Apart from the fact that test results can be stored and printed, a major advantage of the PTS system is that it does not require contact by operator and operates at a lower test pressure (max 4 bar) thus improving safety. According to SDS, the PTS system shows zipper fatigue better than other available techniques as well as showing if a distortion on the sidewall is caused by a structural defect or whether it's just caused by material or a proper repair, thus helping avoid tyres being scrapped unnecessarily.

D-Mark Laser System

The D- Mark Laser Marking System is an in-line solution for engraving individual codes, numbers, graphics, data or bar codes onto tyre sidewalls. With fast operation (only 15 seconds is required to engrave a typical ECE 109 marking), the machine can be easily combined with pressure test unit

ETS Endurance Test System

The all new endurance test system (ETS) allows the online inspection of tyre sidewalls and optionally the tyre tread area during running endurance tests at a drum test stand. The system is typically configured to automatically scan the tyre in adjustable time intervals. Data acquisition is performed while the drum test stand is operating at normal speed. There is no need to slow down or stop the drum test stand to enable data acquisition. The system furthermore automatically adjusts to various drive speeds of the drum test stand. The results of the data acquisition can be viewed and analyzed off line at the system's control computer or any different computer system that is linked to the system's control computer via local area network. The ETS Endurance test system is ideal for those who want to test tyres to destruction, allowing the user to monitor the process and see where the damage began. It also allows the process to be stopped if it can see that the tyre is going, thus saving test time. The ETS is aimed primarily at test labs and new tyre manufacturers.

Retreaders are often of the opinion that investing in shearography technology is beyond them. However, SDS are keen to point out that this is not necessarily the case. Firstly, the company says it is happy to buy old SDS machines and resell/refurbish them. The company also offers a rental option. This would typically take the form of a test installation with rental contract. We know that our products are good so we're not afraid to rent them", says the company.

Issue 2009/3