Bandvulc Develops New Plus Range Using Footprint Analysis

Leading independent retreader, Bandvulc, has released details of how it used footprint analysis in the development of its Plus range. The footprint analysis machine has been built in-house and is specifically designed to improve tyre mileage and handling characteristics. “The purpose of the machine is to simulate a truck tyre, under load,” says Patrick O’Connell, director of The Bandvulc Group. “When pressure is applied to the tyre, equivalent to the right tonnage, a digitised tyre footprint is created on pressure sensitive paper. Results from the subsequent analysis are used to create an improved tyre profile that optimises performance,” he adds.

This new range of tyres, known as the Plus range, further enhances already established brand names with proven performance. The aim is to increase tyre mileage by 10 per cent and will be slowly rolled out across Bandvulc’s entire product range.

According to the company, tyre performance is further improved by using a specialist carbon black in its tread compounds. The compound, mixed at Devon Rubber part of the Bandvulc Group, has undergone extensive development work both in detailed laboratory research on Devon Rubber’s numerous testing machines and in further road trials. All compounds used by Bandvulc will benefit from this latest carbon black which provides better wear characteristics and gives the end user a longer lasting tyre.