Tire with variable ribbon size tread and system and method for making same

A system for making a tire tread comprising:

• an extruder;
• a lower roller die;
• an upper roller die spaced from the lower roller die, thereby forming an opening;
• an adjustment apparatus configured to move the upper roller die relative to the lower roller die, thereby adjusting the size of the opening;
• a conveyor having a first end proximate to the extruder and a second end proximate to the upper and lower roller dies, such that the conveyor receives a strip of green tread rubber extruded by the extruder and feeds the strip of green tread rubber to the opening between the upper and lower roller dies;
• a drum having a tire tread carrying portion, the drum being proximate to the upper and lower roller dies, wherein the upper and lower roller dies are configured to apply the strip of green tread rubber to the tread carrying portion of the drum;
• a controller configured to control the adjustment apparatus to move the upper roller die relative to the lower roller die while the conveyor feeds the strip of green tread rubber to the upper and lower roller dies, thereby changing a thickness of the strip of green tread rubber as it is applied to the tread carrying portion of the drum;
• and
• a stitching wheel configured to press the strip of green tread rubber after it is applied to the drum, wherein the stitching wheel is constructed of polyurethane and includes a plurality of spokes.