Method and apparatus for controlling the laying down of components of tyres on forming drums

A method for controlling the laying down of components of tyres on forming drums, comprising:

• sending a first electromagnetic radiation incident on a first laying structure comprising a forming drum and a first component of a tire laid down on said forming drum;
• detecting at least one corresponding first reflected radiation;
• determining, as a function of said first reflected radiation, a first main length of said first component, wherein the first main length is a circumferential distance between a first end laid down and a second end laid down of the first component;
• comparing said first main length with one or more pre-stored reference parameters;
• generating a first correction signal as a function of said comparison;
• and
• sending said first correction signal to at least one preparation station adapted to prepare said first component to regulate the preparation of further components,
• wherein a queue is arranged comprising one or more auxiliary components ready to be laid down on the forming drum, the auxiliary components being prepared by the preparation station before receiving the first correction signal, comprising:
• waiting until each one of the auxiliary components is laid down on, and afterwards removed from, the forming drum;
• identifying a second component laid down on said forming drum after said auxiliary components, the second component being prepared by the preparation station after receiving the first correction signal;
• when the second component is laid down on the forming drum, sending a second electromagnetic radiation incident on a second laying structure comprising the forming drum and the second component laid down on the forming drum;
• detecting at least one corresponding second reflected radiation;
• determining, as a function of the second reflected radiation, a second main length of the second component, wherein the second main length is a circumferential distance between a first end laid down and a second end laid down of the second component;
• determining a time parameter representative of a waiting time of said second component after being prepared by said preparation station and before being laid down on said forming drum;
• generating a second correction signal as a function of said first main length, of the second main length and of the said time parameter;
• and
• sending the second correction signal to the preparation station.