Pneumatic tires have drawbacks like punctures and blowouts. An airless tire called the Tweel was developed, which uses flexible spokes instead of air pressure. The spokes deform temporarily over obstacles and return to shape. Different designs have been made, including by NASA, Michelin, and Bridgestone. Airless tires eliminate blowouts and don't require maintenance but have disadvantages like more vibration and different manufacturing. They are used on vehicles like lawnmowers and aim to be more recyclable in the future.

1. Wheels & Tires
without pneumatics
USAMA ARIF KHAN NIAZI
ME-09 (A)

2. CONTENTS
• What is a pneumatic tire and its drawbacks
• What is an airless tire
• How it works
• Different design approaches
• Advantages & Disadvantages
• Applications

3. PNEUMATIC TIRES
A pneumatic or air-filled, tire
is made of an air tight inner
core filled with pressurized air.
The pressure of the air inside
the tire is greater than
atmospheric pressure.
Cushioning Effect.

4. DRAWBACKS
Puncture or Blowout
A blowout at high speeds can
lead to a dangerous car
accident.
Variations in air pressure
changes tire performance.
Can blow out by gunfire or
explosion

5. Introduction
The Tweel Airless Tire was first developed in 2005 by Michelin.
The Tweel name is a combination of the words tire and wheel.
Tweel’s hub connects to flexible polyurethane spokes which are
used to support an outer rim.

6. WHAT IS AIRLESS TIRE?
Airless Tires or
Non-pneumatic
Tires are tires
that are not
supported by air
pressure.

7. AIRLESS TIRE

8. HOW IT WORKS?
The flexible tread
and shear bands
deform temporarily
as the spokes bend,
then quickly go back
to the initial shape.

9. Deformation of tire when it gets through an obstacle

10. DESIGN APPROACH
• NASA’S Apollo Lunar Rover
• Michelin

11. continued..
• Bridgestone
• Resilient Technologies, LLC

13. ADVANTAGES
Eliminates air leaks or tire blow outs.
No maintenance required.
Facilitate recycling.
Remains mobile even with some of the spokes are damaged or
missing.
Durability & Long Life.
Can take gunfire or explosion.
Less environmental impact.

14. DISADVANTAGES
Lack of adjustability.
Vibration.
Different Manufacturing technique.
Not as economic as pneumatic tires.

15. APPLICATIONS
• Used on some vehicles
such as riding lawn
mowers and motorized
golf carts.
• In backhoe or
bulldozers.

16. continued..
• For Military
vehicles.
• All Terrine Vehicles (ATV)

17. Futuristic Design
Aims to keep losses to
minimum.
95% manufacturing is
recyclable.

18. CONCLUSION
No improvements are made in tires now a days.
Manufacturers have started to focus making airless tires.
Challenge is to make it more feasible and economical.
When done, Airless tires are the future tires.