Until now, white rubber has been used on the sidewalls of tires to manufacture white ribbon and white letter tires. This process requires the use of large amounts of white rubber to prevent discoloration and to also maintain durability. This conventional manufacturing process can also add additional weight to the tire.
The advanced tire printing technology consists of a layer to protect from discoloration at the base, newly developed inks and a layer to protect from external damages on the surface.
Bridgestone says the company can obtain a “more creative showcase of tires while also considering environmental concerns such as fuel efficiency without (adding) any additional weight to the tire.”
As an example of its potential applications, “original customer designs or photographs could be printed on tire sidewalls and later removed or changed if a customer chooses.”
For more information, visit www.bridgestone- firestone.com.
