28 Sep 2009
ERJ staff report (DS)
Cyberspace -- Michelin is taking the wraps off the Ladoux Technology Center with a new website that shows visitors how tires are made and allows them to make virtual visits to the test tracks.
Competitors should not hold their breath, however, as the information is limited to general guidance on the kinds of tasks any tyre technical centre carries out. Also, the video guides are in the French language with sub-titles (which could do with some proof reading).
The first part guides visitors through four separate buildings in the development centre: materials, design, development and process engineering. Users can browse through the Center, clicking on a building to access a short educational video for an easy-to-understand explanation of each phase. Thanks to the virtual tour, visitors can see places like the tread design unit, which are normally off limits to the public because of confidentiality concerns.
The second part of the tour takes visitors to the tracks, where testers use various methods to check the tire's six performance characteristics: handling, grip, noise and comfort, durability, rolling resistance and wear. As in the first part of the tour, the guide introduces individual researchers who discuss their work.
This is an external link and should open in a new window. If the window does not appear, please check your pop-up blocking software. ERJ is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Press release from Michelin
Subscribe for unlimited access. A subscription to European Rubber Journal includes:
Already a subscriber? Log in here
