Method and facility for supplying elastomeric products

A method for supplying green tire manufacturing machines with elastomeric products by means of a supply facility,

• each elastomeric product being arranged on a non-stick backing,
• an assembly made up of the elastomeric product and the non-stick backing being wound onto a reel,
• the supply facility comprising a loading member and at least one transfer member comprising an unwinder,
• the supply facility further comprising a preparation station, the preparation station comprising a manipulator arm able to manipulate the elastomeric product and the non-stick backing and at least one motor able to drive rotation of the reel loaded onto the unwinder, and the preparation station and the unwinder being distinct from the green tire manufacturing machine, and
• the method comprising the following successive steps:
• loading the reel onto the unwinder using the loading member;
• positioning an end of the assembly wound on the reel using the motor of the preparation station;
• arranging an end of the elastomeric product and an end of the non-stick backing in such a way that the end of the elastomeric product is laid on a dispenser of the unwinder and that the end of the non-stick backing is wound onto a bobbin of the unwinder, using the manipulator arm;
• transferring the reel from the preparation station to the green tire manufacturing machine, using the at least one transfer member.