NEXEN TIRE enhances tire mold production with 3D printing
Reducing production time by 70% and costs by 50%
NEXEN TIRE, a leading global tire manufacturer from South Korea, has integrated advanced technologies, including XAI (eXplainable AI)-based design processes and 3D printing, for its tire mold production.
The traditional tire development process involves designing structures and patterns, creating molds, manufacturing prototypes, and finally testing them on vehicles for final product approval. NEXEN TIRE has successfully streamlined this process and enhanced product precision by incorporating XAI and 3D printing technologies into tire development.
XAI is an artificial intelligence technology that helps understand and analyze the causes and processes behind the results generated by machine learning algorithms. By analyzing various information such as basic designs, key design variables, performance contributions, and design directions, it maximizes tire design efficiency and proposes the optimal structure and design that meets the requirements of tire developers.
NEXEN TIRE leverages XAI-driven designs to create Virtual Tire Models – assessing product performance in virtual environments, thereby increasing accuracy and speed in tire development. The recent decision to adopt a driving simulator, a first in the domestic industry, is expected to elevate virtual development to a new level.
Once a model passes the virtual development stage, a physical prototype is produced for final evaluation, which requires the production of a mold – the framework used to shape the tire. NEXEN TIRE utilizes 3D printing technology to produce the molds – enabling the simultaneous creation of prototypes in various designs and specifications. As these prototypes have already undergone a stage of verification in the virtual development process, the chances of final product approval are significantly increased.
Traditionally, mold production alone took two to three months, but with 3D printing, this period can be cut by at least 70%. Additionally, production costs can be reduced by at least 50% – ensuring cost efficiency from the early stages of development.
The 3D printing-based mold manufacturing technology allows for innovative tire designs that include diverse and complex patterns as well as sipes (tiny slits on the tread). This is crucial for supporting high-performance vehicles and providing consumers with enhanced performance and safety. NEXEN TIRE has applied for an international patent for its use of 3D printing technology.
“The ultimate goal of our technological innovations is to enhance customer satisfaction,” said a representative from NEXEN TIRE. “Transforming the tire development process not only secures market competitiveness but also contributes to environmental protection during the development process, shaping the future of tire manufacturing and driving revolutionary change.”
