Polyurethane tires?
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From: RIP Craig Jones
Polyurethane tires?
http://www.reviewjournal.com/l....html
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Imagine a tire manufactured with material that will enable it to last two to five times longer than the one on your car today.
Imagine the same tire will retain its durability, be more round and more balanced even as it rolls off the assembly line. Now imagine that if the tire is punctured, it can travel about 200 miles before it needs replacing.
Amerityre Chief Executive Richard Steinke imagined such a tire -- a tire made out of polyurethane instead of rubber. And on April 22, Boulder City-based Amerityre received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to manufacture the tire.
"I had thought about different uses for polyurethane for at least 15 years," Steinke said. "And then after the Firestone problems, I set out to solve the inherent problems of rubber by making a better, rounder and more balanced tire," Steinke said.
Amerityre began testing a prototype tire in January for resistance, strength, endurance and high-speed performance. Results showed the material met minimum federal motor vehicle safety guidelines for new pneumatic tires.
From late 2000 through 2003, Amerityre began the initial stages of producing a series of prototype polyurethane tires. The tires were tested on a pickup at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in late 2003. Government testing began in January.
Amerityre already manufactures more than 3 million flat-free polyurethane tires a year for bicycles, golf carts and other items.
The company is 9 years old and has 35 employees and more than $1 million dollars in annual revenues. The tire industry generates $23 billion a year.
Steinke said the company could begin manufacturing automotive tires today but instead will take on partners and license the technology to another manufacturer. He said that will allow Amerityre to conduct additional research and development tests.
Already, Goodyear has shown an interest in working with Amerityre to jointly develop a polyurethane tire for automotive use. The product will be featured in an upcoming episode of "Dateline NBC."
Steinke said the lack of heat buildup distinguishes the polyurethane tire from its rubber competitors. In a typical speed test over 80 mph, the temperature in a rubber tire can average 165 to 175 degrees.
"Heat buildup in a tire destroys the tire. The polyurethane tire reduces the heat by 30 degrees in speed tests conducted so far," Steinke said.
Production costs should be cheaper, he said, because the equipment to manufacture polyurethane tires will run one-tenth the cost of equipment needed to produce rubber tires.
Steinke also said the polyurethane tire is recyclable.
"We want our tires back after they are replaced. Our entire product line can be recycled," Steinke said, adding the polyurethane can be found in items such as bowling *****, surgical gloves and baby pacifiers.
Consumer automotive officials hope to see polyurethane tires in the market within a year at prices comparable to traditional rubber tires. Steinke said the tires may be priced at a premium at first because of their uniqueness.</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Imagine a tire manufactured with material that will enable it to last two to five times longer than the one on your car today.
Imagine the same tire will retain its durability, be more round and more balanced even as it rolls off the assembly line. Now imagine that if the tire is punctured, it can travel about 200 miles before it needs replacing.
Amerityre Chief Executive Richard Steinke imagined such a tire -- a tire made out of polyurethane instead of rubber. And on April 22, Boulder City-based Amerityre received approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to manufacture the tire.
"I had thought about different uses for polyurethane for at least 15 years," Steinke said. "And then after the Firestone problems, I set out to solve the inherent problems of rubber by making a better, rounder and more balanced tire," Steinke said.
Amerityre began testing a prototype tire in January for resistance, strength, endurance and high-speed performance. Results showed the material met minimum federal motor vehicle safety guidelines for new pneumatic tires.
From late 2000 through 2003, Amerityre began the initial stages of producing a series of prototype polyurethane tires. The tires were tested on a pickup at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in late 2003. Government testing began in January.
Amerityre already manufactures more than 3 million flat-free polyurethane tires a year for bicycles, golf carts and other items.
The company is 9 years old and has 35 employees and more than $1 million dollars in annual revenues. The tire industry generates $23 billion a year.
Steinke said the company could begin manufacturing automotive tires today but instead will take on partners and license the technology to another manufacturer. He said that will allow Amerityre to conduct additional research and development tests.
Already, Goodyear has shown an interest in working with Amerityre to jointly develop a polyurethane tire for automotive use. The product will be featured in an upcoming episode of "Dateline NBC."
Steinke said the lack of heat buildup distinguishes the polyurethane tire from its rubber competitors. In a typical speed test over 80 mph, the temperature in a rubber tire can average 165 to 175 degrees.
"Heat buildup in a tire destroys the tire. The polyurethane tire reduces the heat by 30 degrees in speed tests conducted so far," Steinke said.
Production costs should be cheaper, he said, because the equipment to manufacture polyurethane tires will run one-tenth the cost of equipment needed to produce rubber tires.
Steinke also said the polyurethane tire is recyclable.
"We want our tires back after they are replaced. Our entire product line can be recycled," Steinke said, adding the polyurethane can be found in items such as bowling *****, surgical gloves and baby pacifiers.
Consumer automotive officials hope to see polyurethane tires in the market within a year at prices comparable to traditional rubber tires. Steinke said the tires may be priced at a premium at first because of their uniqueness.</TD></TR></TABLE>
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Re: Polyurethane tires? (.RJ)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Production costs should be cheaper, he said, because the equipment to manufacture polyurethane tires will run one-tenth the cost of equipment needed to produce rubber tires.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Consumer automotive officials hope to see polyurethane tires in the market within a year at prices comparable to traditional rubber tires. Steinke said the tires may be priced at a premium at first because of their uniqueness.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
How typical.
Production costs should be cheaper, he said, because the equipment to manufacture polyurethane tires will run one-tenth the cost of equipment needed to produce rubber tires.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Consumer automotive officials hope to see polyurethane tires in the market within a year at prices comparable to traditional rubber tires. Steinke said the tires may be priced at a premium at first because of their uniqueness.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
How typical.
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Re: Polyurethane tires? (El Pollo Diablo)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by El Pollo Diablo »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">huhu...i wonder how the grip compares...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Probably about the same as an other 80K mile tire!
Probably about the same as an other 80K mile tire!
Re: Polyurethane tires? (zygspeed)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by zygspeed »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Probably about the same as an other 80K mile tire! </TD></TR></TABLE>
My thought exactly but they did say they were tested in the Las Vegas Speedway so they might not be to bad.
Probably about the same as an other 80K mile tire!
</TD></TR></TABLE>My thought exactly but they did say they were tested in the Las Vegas Speedway so they might not be to bad.
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From: Jasma
Re: Polyurethane tires? (SOHCV-TechRider)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHCV-TechRider »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
My thought exactly but they did say they were tested in the Las Vegas Speedway so they might not be to bad.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's cause they couldn't use them on public roads....and needed to test them somewhere. It shouldn't be used as an indicator of their "performance"....or lack thereof.
My thought exactly but they did say they were tested in the Las Vegas Speedway so they might not be to bad.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's cause they couldn't use them on public roads....and needed to test them somewhere. It shouldn't be used as an indicator of their "performance"....or lack thereof.
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Re: Polyurethane tires? (El Pollo Diablo)
In the Dateline story, they showed the tires mounted on a C5 convertible going up against a C5 on rubber tires. The reporter said "I couldn't feel any difference!", but there weren't even any shots showing the tires going head to head, and the guy was obviously not an automotive reporter. Some journalism...
I want to see poly tires perform well, but no one's talking about performance yet, only long life and recyclability.
I want to see poly tires perform well, but no one's talking about performance yet, only long life and recyclability.
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From: Decatur, GA
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Consumer automotive officials hope to see polyurethane tires in the market within a year at prices comparable to traditional rubber tires. Steinke said the tires may be priced at a premium at first because of their uniqueness.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
that is quite typical, take something 10 times cheaper to make 10 times more money than before...
</TD></TR></TABLE>
that is quite typical, take something 10 times cheaper to make 10 times more money than before...
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Re: (Sobe_Death)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that is quite typical, take something 10 times cheaper to make 10 times more money than before...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Just like the CD's we buy.
Modified by 577HondaPrelude at 5:04 PM 5/5/2004
Just like the CD's we buy.
Modified by 577HondaPrelude at 5:04 PM 5/5/2004
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Re: Polyurethane tires? (AKADriver)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I want to see poly tires perform well, but no one's talking about performance yet, only long life and recyclability.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's because us racers and performance drivers only make up like 1% of the population.
That's because us racers and performance drivers only make up like 1% of the population.
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Re: Polyurethane tires? (CivicSiRacer)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CivicSiRacer »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That's because us racers and performance drivers only make up like 1% of the population.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yeah, but we're often the ones pushing along new technology, especially when it comes to new materials.
Yeah, but we're often the ones pushing along new technology, especially when it comes to new materials.
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From: Future Site of the Runoffs, USA
Re: (Sobe_Death)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sobe_Death »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
that is quite typical, take something 10 times cheaper to make 10 times more money than before...</TD></TR></TABLE>
but the consumer will pay for it. so the consumer is the stupid one, and the business is the smart one.
how dare a business make money.
that is quite typical, take something 10 times cheaper to make 10 times more money than before...</TD></TR></TABLE>
but the consumer will pay for it. so the consumer is the stupid one, and the business is the smart one.
how dare a business make money.
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Re: (tnord)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but the consumer will pay for it. so the consumer is the stupid one, and the business is the smart one.
how dare a business make money. </TD></TR></TABLE>
How dare a stupid consumer support it's own stupidity
how dare a business make money.
</TD></TR></TABLE>How dare a stupid consumer support it's own stupidity
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Re: (rice_classic)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
but the consumer will pay for it. so the consumer is the stupid one, and the business is the smart one.
how dare a business make money. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks, guys. I was going to point that out myself. Businesses don't set prices - we do.
but the consumer will pay for it. so the consumer is the stupid one, and the business is the smart one.
how dare a business make money. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks, guys. I was going to point that out myself. Businesses don't set prices - we do.
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Re: (577HondaPrelude)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 577HondaPrelude »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Just like the CD's we buy.
Modified by 577HondaPrelude at 5:04 PM 5/5/2004</TD></TR></TABLE>
Actually, its worse, because you can't download tires off the Internet.
As to whether or not they stick, I don't care, as long as everyone else has to run the same tires.
Just like the CD's we buy.
Modified by 577HondaPrelude at 5:04 PM 5/5/2004</TD></TR></TABLE>
Actually, its worse, because you can't download tires off the Internet.
As to whether or not they stick, I don't care, as long as everyone else has to run the same tires.
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Re: (ASteele2)
Also, who's gonna try something new if the old and "proven" tires are less exensive. Poly tires will HAVE to be competative in price with current tires or they will NEVER sell to the general populus.
Also, once there is more then one company selling them then the nature of competition will bring the prices down.
I don't think I need to explain it any further.. we all pretty much know how supply and demand works as well as capitalism.
Also, once there is more then one company selling them then the nature of competition will bring the prices down.
I don't think I need to explain it any further.. we all pretty much know how supply and demand works as well as capitalism.
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Re: (rice_classic)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice_classic »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, who's gonna try something new if the old and "proven" tires are less exensive. Poly tires will HAVE to be competative in price with current tires or they will NEVER sell to the general populus.</TD></TR></TABLE>
It seems that one of their strongest selling points will be as a substiture or replacement for "runflat" tires.
It seems that one of their strongest selling points will be as a substiture or replacement for "runflat" tires.
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Re: (zygspeed)
AFter reading the article in full I will DEFINITELY buy a set for my daily driver. The one thing that I think is MOST interesting is the fact that they are recyclable and they require 1/10th of the equipment/labor to produce!!!
Considering how many cars are on the road on the planet... imagine if every driver was able to recycle their tires that would be a big
for the enviroment!
Considering how many cars are on the road on the planet... imagine if every driver was able to recycle their tires that would be a big
for the enviroment!
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From: 50mi west of Hell, Michigan
Re: (rice_classic)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rice_classic »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, who's gonna try something new if the old and "proven" tires are less exensive. Poly tires will HAVE to be competative in price with current tires or they will NEVER sell to the general populus.</TD></TR></TABLE>
The dub rollin' bling crowd will probably go nuts over these if they can be made in colors like skateboard wheels. God help us.
The dub rollin' bling crowd will probably go nuts over these if they can be made in colors like skateboard wheels. God help us.
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Re: (soloteg)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by soloteg »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why bitch about prices it's simply supply and demand. Weren't any of you guys guys required to take economy classes?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'll take an economy class [again] if j00 take an english class...
I'll take an economy class [again] if j00 take an english class...
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Re: (91SiKen)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 91SiKen »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The dub rollin' bling crowd will probably go nuts over these if they can be made in colors like skateboard wheels. God help us.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'd put red tires on my red car... hell ya.
I'd put red tires on my red car... hell ya.
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oh yeah, if the price is right to compete, ill put a set of green ones on my car, make it look like a skate! however the article doesnt mention any of that. so i wait quietly using rubber...
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Re: (tnord)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tnord »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
but the consumer will pay for it. so the consumer is the stupid one, and the business is the smart one.
how dare a business make money. </TD></TR></TABLE>
in a perfect market you'd be right.
but this isn't a perfect market, and there are still inefficiencies that lead to consumers getting screwed.
i'm thinking, poly-tires: good for environment, consumer. priced too high, across board. no one will buy them, product will fail, will become excuse for no one to innovate any further.
perhaps that's a little cynical, but it's happened before?
wow, think about a world of hybrid SUV's and purple polyeurethane tires, and breathe deep because the tire fire's out and there's less smog.
but the consumer will pay for it. so the consumer is the stupid one, and the business is the smart one.
how dare a business make money.
</TD></TR></TABLE>in a perfect market you'd be right.
but this isn't a perfect market, and there are still inefficiencies that lead to consumers getting screwed.
i'm thinking, poly-tires: good for environment, consumer. priced too high, across board. no one will buy them, product will fail, will become excuse for no one to innovate any further.
perhaps that's a little cynical, but it's happened before?
wow, think about a world of hybrid SUV's and purple polyeurethane tires, and breathe deep because the tire fire's out and there's less smog.