Virtual Plant Tour
Experience the process that STTC uses to make the most dependable retread products on the road. Select one of the links below to begin the retread plant virtual tour and learn more about Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT).
The Retread Process
| Initial Inspection: The first step is to verify the condition of the incoming casing. A sound, stable sidewall is essential and MRT uses a unique grazing light technique for inspecting sidewalls from shoulder to bead. This helps detect subtle irregularities, which may indicate potential problem areas. All MRTI Retread Plants have exacting standards for inspection and trained technicians to accurately access each casing. | |
| X-Ray: Suspected steel damage, identified during Grazing Light Inspection, is examined by MRT's Fluroscopic X-Ray. This advanced x-ray system reveals the status of the steel belts and cables hidden within the casing. It positively identifies suspected conditions such as zippers, road hazard damage and run-flat abuse, and verifies the condition of prior repairs. | |
| Buffing: Precise buffing is critical to retread performance. A correct undertread contour promotes long, even treadware. Also, an ideal undertread thickness is the key to cool operation. MRT uses an automated computer-controlled radial buffing system guided by a casing specification database and an Undertread Proximity Sensor to help ensure optimized undertread depth. | |
| Casing Integrity Analyzer® (CIA): For every casing, CIA uses laser beams to map the inner contour of the casing. Then the procedure is repeated under vacuum. If there are separations in the casing, the contour will change. An analysis of the difference between the first and the second images by ACE, MRT's Automated Casing Evaluation software, determines whether the casing contains belt separations. | |
| Repair: Inner liner penetrations too small to spot visually can cause big problems. Leak-free casings mean you maintain an optimal inflation pressure and this means longer life and lowered downtime. Powerful electronic currents pinpoint an otherwise invisible injury and the technician marks the spot for repair. This is standard equipment for all MRTI plants. | |
| Building: The MRT cushion extrusion system extrudes hot cushion gum onto the casing to promote a strong tread-to-casing bond. Hot cushion gum automatically fills skives and buzzouts while depositing an ideal bonding layer. MRT using a computer-controlled Tread Builder that ensures electronic monitoring of the laying of the new tread. This computer helps reduce tread-building variables. | |
| Curing: Michelin Pre-Mold Retreads are double vacuum enveloped. Double enveloping means that all surfaces of the retread – inside and out – are subject to uniform curing and complete integration of repairs. Pre-Mold and Custom-Mold retreads are then cured to Michelin protocols for time, temperature and pressure. | |
| Final Inspection: Finished retreads do not leave the retread plant without undergoing a final hand inspection. The crown, sidewalls, beads and interior are examined by a skilled technician to ensure your new retread adheres to Michelin's stringent quality standards. If needed, CIA and X-ray are available to verify repairs and audit the final retread. MRT requires that all tires undergo this final inspection process. |