Michelin uses additive manufacturing to print UPTIS airless tires

French tire manufacturer Michelin has reached a new milestone in the development of its airless Uptis (unique puncture-resistant tire system) tires, with successful road tests
.

As part of the Michelin VISION concept, if Uptis goes on sale as planned in 2024, drivers will be able to 3D print the tread and adjust the tires to their driving, seasonal weather conditions, and self-maintain the overall health of the tires.

3D printing has already been used to create prototypes of tires, but more details on the additive manufacturing techniques involved and the extent to which they will be used in the future remains to be seen
.

An airless, biodegradable concept

Michelin first presented the Uptis concept tire in 2017 at its international mobility summit Movin'On
.
The tire is designed to be airless to eliminate punctures, while being biodegradable and equipped with sensors for real-time monitoring
.

The tire's airless interior design is based on alveolar structures, such as those found in the lungs, which have complex interior geometries suitable for 3D printing
.
To prototype the show, Michelin partnered with automaker General Motors to 3D print a concept tire
.

Ultimately, Michelin is looking to reduce the number of tires discarded due to punctures, which according to an internal "scrapyard survey" is about 2 million tons, 200 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower
.
The company believes that its Uptis tires can avoid this waste entirely thanks to its air-free nature and "rechargeable" potential
.

From an additive manufacturing perspective, the tire's "rechargeable" concept is the most interesting element of the design, which sees drivers reprinting the tire tread on the roadside
.

Uptis' rechargeable tread

Through its VISION concept, Michelin aims to make mobility safer, cleaner, more efficient and more accessible
.
The concept shows how the company's sustainability model hopes to transform tire manufacturing between now and 2050, the date the European Union aims to become climate neutral
.

VISION's four pillars are airless, rechargeable, connected and 100% sustainable
.
To achieve its airless goals, Michelin is developing technology that eliminates the risk of punctures and rapid pressure loss to improve safety and comfort, while reducing the environmental impact of tire waste
.

VISION's Connected element believes that Uptis is equipped with numerous sensors, ushering in a "new era" of service, comfort and safety for drivers, while its sustainable pillar believes that Uptis is manufactured from bio-sourced and recyclable materials to ensure environmental impact The life cycle of tires is very short
.

Finally, one of the "most revolutionary" aspects of its VISION concept, hailed by Michelin, is the promise of rechargeability
.
According to the company, having tires with 3D printed treads can deposit just the right amount of rubber compound, reducing the use of raw materials
.

The tires can then be "charged" using a 3D printer that reprints the tire tread according to the driver's needs
.
For example, drivers may wish to acclimate their tires to winter or summer conditions, or simply to keep tires overall healthy from wear
.

With 3D printing, Michelin says, these adjustments can be made quickly and easily through an on-demand service that lets drivers 3D print new treads for their tires on the roadside
.
While more details on which 3D printing technologies will be used and in what volumes are yet to be announced, it appears that 3D printed roadside repairs could become a reality when the tires hit the market in 2024
.

Michelin already uses metal 3D printing to design and manufacture a variety of products, including components for tire molds
.
Going forward, the company will further leverage this expertise to explore 3D printing of rubber to provide charging concepts for tire treads
.

Test Drive Uptis

The latest development of MICHELIN VISION witnesses the transformation of Uptis from concept to road
.
Automotive YouTubers Mr.
JWW and Mr.
Gercollector were invited to test the prototype Uptis in real-world conditions on public roads
.

Cyrille Roget, director of technology and science communications for the Michelin Group, said both had great praise for the tire: "At the end of the demo, our passengers said they felt no difference compared to conventional tires, and we were very satisfied
.
"