Non-pneumatic tire and system for molding non-pneumatic tire

A molded non-pneumatic tire comprising:

• an inner circumferential barrier configured to be coupled to a hub;
• an outer circumferential barrier radially spaced from the inner circumferential barrier;
• and
• a support structure having two opposing sides extending between the inner circumferential barrier and the outer circumferential barrier, and coupling the inner circumferential barrier to the outer circumferential barrier, wherein the support structure includes:
• a plurality of mold inserts at least partially embedded in the support structure, wherein the mold inserts include a shell portion at least partially enclosing a void providing a cavity in the support structure.

A method of forming a molded non-pneumatic tire, the method comprising:

• providing a lower mold portion including a lower face plate configured to provide a lower relief corresponding to a first side of the tire;
• positioning a plurality of mold inserts in the lower mold portion, wherein the mold inserts include a shell portion at least partially enclosing a void configured to provide a cavity in the tire;
• placing an upper mold portion onto the lower mold portion to create a mold assembly having an interior, the upper mold portion including an upper face plate configured to provide an upper relief corresponding to a second side of the tire;
• heating a molding material;
• transferring the heated molding material into the interior of the mold assembly, such that the interior except for the voids is substantially filled;
• curing the heated molding material;
• separating the upper mold portion from the lower mold portion;
• and
• separating the tire from the lower mold portion, such that the mold inserts remain in the tire following separation of the tire from the lower mold portion to create cavities in the tire corresponding to the voids.