Digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) are megatrends that can also offer great potential for savings in tyre production. Machine learning algorithms can be implemented in a decentralised manner, for example on the edge, i.e. on the actual module to be monitored. An example is Festo AX. This AI software uses these algorithms to detect anomalies on tyre building machines or in curing presses.

The Festo Motion Terminal VTEM, a product of the Industry 4.0 era, combines digitalisation and pneumatics. Quickly activated software apps are a game changer for pneumatics by increasing flexibility and energy efficiency, and accelerating production processes. This also benefits tire manufacturing, as demonstrated by the use of the automation platform VTEM in tire curing presses.

With a global production volume of 1.8 billion car tires per year, the focus is very much on efficiency and productivity. This is where the Festo Motion Terminal VTEM comes in: it digitises pneumatics, thereby speeding up processes and reducing costs, for example when transferring the rubber layer to the tire building machine.