The Hidden Cost of Downtime in Tire Testing

In the tire testing market, downtime is more than just annoying. It impacts productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction. In a high-volume tire plant or a precision testing facility, machine inactivity can derail production schedules, delay shipments, and inflate overhead costs.

One area that gets little attention, but contributes greatly to downtime of tire testing machines, is use of non-OEM (or off-brand) spare parts, consumables, and old tooling. These off-brand components may seem like a cost-saving measure, but they often introduce hidden risks that compromise performance and reliability.

How downtime is draining tire testing operations

Non OEM parts and consumables may appear to be a good deal, but they pose serious risks to tire testing machines, especially in tire uniformity, dynamic balance, and geometry systems, where precision and repeatability are critical.

Here’s what can go wrong:

• Poor fit and alignment → mechanical stress and premature failure
• Inconsistent material quality → accelerated wear and reduced lifespan
• Loss of calibrated accuracy → unreliable test results and failed quality checks
• Increased maintenance frequency → higher operational costs and more downtime
• Limited support for legacy systems → no upgrade path or technical assistance

These issues don’t just affect machine performance; they impact your production line. In a competitive environment, even minor disruptions can lead to missed deadlines, dissatisfied customers, and lost revenue.

Micro-Poise offers a complete range of OEM tire testing spare parts, quick-ship consumables, and upgrade kits for legacy equipment. All engineered to meet the exact specifications of its machines.

OEM Spare Parts & Tooling: Designed for Precision

Micro-Poise OEM parts are manufactured using original CAD designs and high-quality materials, ensuring:

• Tight tolerances for perfect fit
• ISO-class ball screws for smooth linear motion
• Temperature-compensated loadcells with ±0.1% full-scale accuracy
• Industrial-grade PCBAs with conformal coating for harsh environments

Tooling kits include custom rims and adapters designed specifically for Micro-Poise machines, reducing setup time and operator error. These OEM tooling solutions help maintain calibration integrity and eliminate test failure risks.

Micro-Poise maintains an extensive inventory of tire testing consumables, stocked for fast shipment to minimize downtime:

• AkroLUBE for bead lubrication
• Foils & Dots for tire marking
• PCBAs for electronic control modules
• Loadcells for force measurement
• Wool Sleeves, Transfer Belts, Ball Screws for mechanical motion systems

These consumables are built for durability and compatibility, helping manufacturers maintain consistent testing and reduce maintenance cycles.

Micro-Poise understands that many facilities still rely on legacy systems. That’s why we offer upgrade kits for mature and legacy Micro-Poise machines that are designed to improve performance and extend equipment life.

Available upgrade kits are:

• TGIS FS with TGIS 10: Enhanced tire geometry inspection
• ADR (Automatic Defect Recognition): Advanced AI and deep learning equipped software for x-ray tire inspection
• Allen-Bradley Control Solutions: PLC architecture for ASTEC, AkroDYNE, and AkroDYNE Truck
• UCP/RFP Generation 2 Control System: Modernized control architecture for uniformity machines
• MC-2: Advanced machine controller for all Micro-Poise machines

These Micro-Poise upgrade kits integrate easily into existing systems, allowing for quick installation and maximized ROI.

For OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers, and independent tire manufacturers, investing in Micro-Poise aftermarket solutions delivers tangible benefits:

• Reduced downtime and faster recovery
• Improved test accuracy and repeatability
• Compliance with ISO, SAE, and OEM standards
• Lower total cost of ownership
• Extended equipment lifecycle and future-readiness

Whether you're replacing worn components, restocking consumables, or upgrading legacy systems, Micro-Poise provides the technical assurance and support needed to keep your operations running smoothly.

Ready to Optimize Your Equipment?

Explore Micro-Poise’s full offering of OEM spare parts, tire testing consumables, and upgrade kits:

🔗 Spare Parts & Tooling
🔗 Upgrade Kits

Or contact our team to discuss how we can help you reduce downtime, enhance performance, and future-proof your tire testing systems.