Applicator unit, tire building device and method for applying a strip to a drum

An applicator unit for applying a strip to a drum, the applicator unit comprising:

• an applicator roller;
• and
• a cutter,
• wherein the cutter comprises a cutting blade,
• wherein the applicator roller comprises a roller body that is rotatable about a roller axis for applying the strip to the drum in an application direction perpendicular to said roller axis,
• wherein the applicator roller and the cutter are configured to cooperate for cutting the strip on the applicator roller along a helical cutting path about the roller axis,
• wherein the applicator unit comprises
• a rotation drive for rotating the roller body about the roller axis,
• a lateral drive for generating a relative displacement between the cutting blade and the applicator roller in a lateral direction parallel to the roller axis, and
• a control unit that is operationally connected to the rotation drive and the lateral drive for controlling the rotation of the roller body about the roller axis and the relative displacement between the cutting blade and the applicator roller in the lateral direction,
• wherein the control unit is configured for controlling both the rotation of the roller body about the roller axis and the relative displacement between the cutting blade and the applicator roller in the lateral direction simultaneously such that the cutting blade moves along the helical cutting path.