Former Kumho designer launches custom tyre design service

ERJ staff report (DS)

Leamington Spa, UK -- The world's first concept tyre design service is being launched by UK-based industrial design associates Dolton & Dex. It is a service aimed primarily at vehicle makers, based on the idea that tyre makers do not routinely offer this service. Director Rob Dolton previously worked for Kumho Tyres in the UK and also worked on concept tyres for a number of OEMs, including Chevrolet, GMC and Nissan. His design services are focussed around developing visually-striking concept designs, but include technical elements as well.

"More often than not, it is an area of the vehicle that designers feel they have a lack of control over. This comes down to the designers from the OEM and the engineers from the tyre manufacturer speaking two entirely different languages," explained Dolton.

"We can explain to the design studio how the tyre will be manufactured and the limitations of the process. And, in terms of the tyre manufacturer, we will explain exactly what the designers are looking for and how to achieve it.

Dolton & Dex work with the designers to take a design theme through to prototype. This can mean producing concepts from initial ideation, or working with an existing design and optimising it for manufacture.

Dolton added: "We understand the problems involved with running tyres for show cars. We work with ETRTO size data to get running tyres that will not fail on that all important photo shoot, or let you down in Frankfurt in front of the world's press."

"Our experience will lead the team in deciding whether a hand cut tyre will achieve the project goals or if investment in a mould is needed." he said.

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Press release from Dolton & Dex