We have already mentioned that winter tire testing takes place in Ivalo (Lapland). Our video story will tell you how they are conducted:
Earlier, we also mentioned methods of testing summer tires. We also saw how tires are produced:
Today we will talk about the most secret part - how internal tire testing is conducted. Namely, how the "shelf life" of tires is calculated, how their speed index is determined, etc. Let us note right away that, unfortunately, we cannot illustrate everything written with photos for the simple reason that Nokian's bench testing is still a company secret that the Finns do not want to share not only with customers and competitors, but even with all employees, let alone journalists! We can say that we were among the chosen ones, no matter how loud it sounds.
First, about how tire service life is checked. To some extent, this is their "shelf life" (in operating mode) - that is, how many seasons the rubber can "last".
Imagine a "treadmill" exercise machine, but in the form of a drum with a metal track. A wheel touches it. It turns out something like two gears, only without teeth. Using friction force, specialists set a certain speed and wait... it may seem to us that there is nothing easier than sitting and watching a rotating wheel. But that's the point: you need to regularly record indicators, tire temperature, and monitor diagrams. After all, to "wear out" one tire takes more than one day or even one week! By the way, this rotation continues non-stop - 24 hours a day. Both ready-to-release tires, their prototypes, and... competitors' tires are subjected to such tests. Yes, the Finns do not hide that they "spy", checking the efficiency and endurance of their competitors' tires. For their storage, they have literally half of a huge workshop, where, in addition to tires, there are also thousands of wheels - from the most ordinary to rally ones and from supercars like Ferrari, etc.
The "bench" method also checks the tire's ability not to lose its qualities at high speeds. But this does not mean that if a tire did not burst when simulating a speed of 350 km/h, it will receive such a speed index. Everything is much more complicated. Heating, the ability of rubber to withstand speed over different periods of time, etc. are studied. That is, it is quite possible that a tire can "hold out" at high speed for 10 minutes, but will receive an index of, for example, 190 km/h. The Finns are reinsuring themselves and, in addition to bench tests, check tire resistance to speed and wear in real conditions. This difficult task involves not only expensive and complex equipment, but also test pilots and... taxi drivers.
Local taxi drivers (as well as their colleagues from Sweden) receive tires from Nokian, with which they can literally do whatever they want. As is known, all drivers have different driving styles. The same applies to taxi drivers. Some drive more or less carefully, others do not leave a traffic light without wheelspin. After a certain period of time, Nokian specialists take their tires from them and study the level of tread wear, mileage, etc. This helps supplement bench tests to obtain the most complete and objective picture.
"Robotic" cars also take part in tire testing. Their function is also in some sense invaluable. Even the most experienced driver or racer cannot drive along the same trajectory without a break for 5, 6, let alone 8 or 10 hours. Another matter is autopilot...
Let us add that bench tests also include checking for load and rolling resistance. Nokian also has a program for testing rubber strength. In this case, a special iron rod is pressed onto the wheel to determine the ultimate limits of its strength.
Receiving a whole bunch of data, engineers put forward their wishes and requirements for tires. The work is very monotonous and responsible, so the salary level of such specialists is appropriate. Also, at Nokian you will not find those who have worked at the plant for one, three, or five years. Almost all staff consider the enterprise their second home, because they spend most of their lives here. How do you like a work period of 10, 20, or even 30 years in ONE company?
Nokian also uses so-called "convoy tests", when test pilots and engineers put several cars on identical tires and send them on a not-so-exciting journey for 3-4 weeks. Such tests can take place both in the hottest countries and in the icy corners of the planet.
What was memorable after getting acquainted with bench testing and the plant in Finland was the small number of people. In a huge workshop there may be only 5-10 people, which is explained simply - much of the work here is automated. But the Finns are proud that every (we emphasize, every!) tire also undergoes human inspection. That is, you can be sure that all 4 Nokian tires installed on your car were carefully checked for defects and deviations from standards. And most likely, this was done by a woman. Yes, yes, the fair sex, according to factory insiders, is more attentive and meticulous. Note that similar quality control is also carried out at the Russian Nokian plant. If you believe the Finns, they are the only "tire makers" who still double-check robots, carrying out control also with the help of a human.
And one more thing. Before launching new tires into production, Nokian renders hundreds of thousands of tires unusable. Compared to the tire production itself, their tests and checks take much more time. After all, tires of different radii and sizes are subject to testing, even if they are of the same model. Given the volume of work, it is not surprising that the path to the conveyor takes 4-5 years, and in the annual expense report, the lion's share is occupied by tests and trials... therefore it is very, very sad that my eyes cannot take photos and videos - it would have turned out much more illustrative and interesting.
