Fire Chief

IMPACT Makes an Impact

A majority of Goodyear commercial tires, including the company’s new line of Fuel Max tires are produced using the company’s patented IMPACT process.

If you think tires are a commodity, think again. Just as tread designs and compounds differ among tire companies, so do commercial tire constructions. Goodyear has an advanced system which helps reduce radial run-out while improving uniform wear.

A majority of Goodyear commercial tires, including the company’s new line of Fuel Max tires are produced using the company’s patented IMPACT process (Integrated Manufacturing, Precision Assembly, Cellular Technology).
Simply, IMPACT automates many of the processes it takes to create a commercial tire. At the heart of the system is a “hot former,” a unique process that produces and forms truck tire components in a continuous manufacturing system.

The hot former consists of several pairs of heated steel rollers and a conveyor system. Each pair of rollers squeezes out and forms one of the tire components. A trained operator using a laser-guided machine combines the components into a continuous sheet of rubber material. The material is then wound into specially designed reels, which are moved to the tire building area. The result is excellent tire quality and uniformity.

While Goodyear goes to great lengths to provide a quality tire, it also has self-checks in place. Every Goodyear, Dunlop and Kelly steer tire undergoes balance and radial run-out audits to meet stringent quality guidelines.

  • Read the main story, "Smooth Ride," to learn what you can do to mitigate vehicle vibration on apparatus.

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