Method for manufacturing and transferring a multi-ply laminate, applicable to the manufacture of annular reinforcements for tires

Method for manufacturing an annular laminate suitable for use in the formation of a pneumatic tire, during which:

• a first ply, extending in a longitudinal direction from a first leading edge to a first trailing edge, is produced on a first support having a first receiving surface,
• then, on the same first support, a second ply is produced on top of the first ply, extending in the longitudinal direction from a second leading edge to a second trailing edge, so that a laminate is obtained on the first support, the thickness of which extends from a first face, applied against the first receiving surface, to an opposite second face, and comprising, in said thickness, at least a first layer, formed by the first ply, and a second layer, formed by the second ply, so that the first ply is sandwiched between the second ply and the first receiving surface,
• said laminate is then transferred to a second support, known as the “core”, having a second receiving surface exhibiting symmetry of revolution centered on a central axis, said transfer being carried out by applying the second face of the laminate against the second receiving surface of the core and wrapping said laminate on the circumference of said second receiving surface until the second leading edge forms a join with the second trailing edge, thus closing the second ply on itself, and the first leading edge forms a join with the first trailing edge, thus closing the first ply on itself, so that said laminate is closed on itself in a ring about the central axis of the core,
• wherein the same robotic arm is used to first of all produce the first and second plies, and then to move the first support and bring it into contact with the second support in order to transfer the laminate, and
• wherein said robotic arm has to this end an automated tool changing station, at which it can swap a laying tool, arranged to assemble the first and second plies on the first support by laying juxtaposed strips, for a gripper tool, arranged to grasp and handle the first support so that it can transport said first support to the core and then transfer the laminate onto said core.

Method for manufacturing an annular laminate suitable for use in the formation of a pneumatic tire, during which:

• a first ply, extending in a longitudinal direction from a first leading edge to a first trailing edge, is produced on a first support having a first receiving surface by laying a first series of strips directly on the first receiving surface and butting the first series of strips against one another,
• then, on the same first support, a second ply is produced on top of the first ply by laying a second series of strips directly on the first ply and butting the second series of strips against one another, extending in the longitudinal direction from a second leading edge to a second trailing edge, so that a laminate is obtained on the first support, the thickness of which extends from a first face, applied against the first receiving surface, to an opposite second face, and comprising, in said thickness, at least a first layer, formed by the first ply, and a second layer, formed by the second ply, so that the first ply is sandwiched between the second ply and the first receiving surface,
• said laminate is then transferred to a second support, known as the “core”, having a second receiving surface exhibiting symmetry of revolution centered on a central axis, said transfer being carried out by applying the second face of the laminate against the second receiving surface of the core and wrapping said laminate on the circumference of said second receiving surface until the second leading edge forms a join with the second trailing edge, thus closing the second ply on itself, and the first leading edge forms a join with the first trailing edge, thus closing the first ply on itself, so that said laminate is closed on itself in a ring about the central axis of the core.