There are two generic curing press types: mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical presses control the mold by using a toggle system, while hydraulic presses use the hydraulic system as main actuator. Both the machine types require controlling the steam pressure and temperature. On hydraulic presses, linear position transducers can be used,

1. Gefran Inc. 8 Lowell Ave Winchester, MA 1-888-888-4474 www.gefran.com
North America 01890 info.us@gefran.com
GEFRAN SOLUTIONS FOR TIRE CURING APPLICATIONS
The tire curing process, also known as “vulcanization”, is the last step in tire manufacturing and it is
necessary for the production of a new tire as well as for tire reconstruction. The term “curing” defines
the process of heating and applying pressure to the green tire inside a mold. These actions stimulate
the chemical reaction between the rubber and other materials and gives the tire its final shape.
Heating is applied by pressurized steam, usually at a temperature between 250°F and 350°F and
with a pressure from 150 to 600 psi, according to the tire’s type and dimension.
There are two generic curing press types: mechanical and hydraulic. Mechanical presses control the
mold by using a toggle system, while hydraulic presses use the hydraulic system as main actuator.
Both the machine types require controlling the steam pressure and temperature. Hydraulic presses
require the hydraulic oil pressure measurement, too. In this case, the measured pressure range can
go from 3,500 to 6,000 psi.
Usually, the press has a remote control panel. Pressure transducers are installed inside this panel
and connected to the steam circuit by mean of copper pipes with terminal pigtail. This system allows
the steam to cool down to a temperature that will not damage the pressure transducers.

2. Gefran Inc. 8 Lowell Ave Winchester, MA 1-888-888-4474 www.gefran.com
North America 01890 info.us@gefran.com
On hydraulic presses, linear position transducers can be used, too. The presses usually consist of
two center mechanisms, two tire loaders, two tire unloaders and two molds.
Low accuracy machines require only the center mechanism positioning control that is usually
performed by using a linear position sensor integrated in the hydraulic cylinder. Strokes are usually
less than 3 ft.
High accuracy hydraulic curing presses require the control of all the movements for each part of the
machine. Depending on the installation position, the sensor can be integrated in the cylinder or
installed as a stand-alone device. Up to eight linear position sensors can be requested per each
machine.
Gefran produces an entire range of linear resistive and magnetostrictive transducers and pressure
transmitters with different options to fit every application.
The KS series is the best pressure transducer for this application: based on thick film technology, it
is miniaturized and it offers a high level of protection (IP67), a wide operating temperature range and
it’s available with a wide selection of pressure ranges. Therefore, the KS can be used for both the
steam pressure and the hydraulic pressure measurement.

3. Gefran Inc. 8 Lowell Ave Winchester, MA 1-888-888-4474 www.gefran.com
North America 01890 info.us@gefran.com
Gefran magnetostrictive transducers are available with a lot of different options: both the MK4 profile
version and the IK4 rod-style models have a high protection degree (IP67) and guarantee high
accuracy measurement on a wide range of strokes, up to 13 ft.