Technological breakthroughs

Arising from the issue of shoulder impurities in tyre production, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Tùng, mould design engineer at the Radial Tyre Enterprise, The Southern Rubber Industry Joint Stock Company (CASUMINA), researched and developed a solution to improve mould structure, aiming to control rubber flash at its source. The initiative not only enhanced product quality and reduced defect rates but also yielded benefits of nearly VND 1 billion, earning the Creative Labour Certificate from the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour in 2025.

Proactively Identifying Causes from Production Realities

In tyre manufacturing, product quality depends not only on raw materials and technological parameters but also on the structure and precision of the vulcanisation mould. Minor errors during operation or in mould design can cause defects, affecting both the appearance and quality of finished tyres.

At the Radial Tyre Enterprise, during the production of tyre specifications using the M/T02 tread pattern, shoulder impurities were a persistent problem. The cause stemmed from rubber flash escaping at mould parting surfaces during vulcanisation. This excess rubber adhered to the mould, later peeling off and sticking to the tyre shoulder, causing defects. Some defects resulted in deep cracks, which were particularly difficult to repair by conventional means.

Statistics for M/T02 tread pattern tyres showed that the defect rate for shoulder impurities after vulcanisation ranged from 2–3%, exceeding the factory’s allowable threshold. Simply addressing defective products after the fact could not resolve the root cause and led to increased production costs and reduced equipment efficiency.

In response, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Tùng focused on analysing the cause, studying the mould structure, and seeking a solution at the point of flash formation. Rather than remedying the consequence, he adopted a proactive approach: improving mould design to control excess rubber during vulcanisation.

Small Adjustment, Tangible Results

Through research, Mr. Tùng identified that the joint between the sidewall and tread moulds lacked sufficient space to accommodate the excess rubber produced during vulcanisation. This led to flash escaping onto the parting surface, accumulating in the mould, and causing defects on the tyre shoulder.

On this basis, he proposed the initiative “Improvement to Address Shoulder Impurity Defects in M/T02 Tyre Specifications”, with the core solution being the addition of a groove at the joint between the sidewall and tread moulds to capture excess rubber. This structural modification created extra space to receive surplus rubber, thereby limiting flash escape, reducing adhesion to the mould surface, and preventing impurities on the tyre shoulder.

The notable aspect of the initiative was its root-cause approach. Instead of cleaning the mould or repairing faulty products after defects appeared, the solution was integrated directly into the mould structure, facilitating control from the design stage. This marked a shift from corrective to preventive technical measures, enhancing process stability.

Implemented since October 2024, the initiative has delivered clear economic benefits, with savings amounting to VND 977,170,658. This demonstrates the practical value of accurate problem identification, thorough analysis, and tailored solutions for the specific production conditions.

For his achievements in creative labour, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Tùng was awarded the Creative Labour Certificate by the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour in 2025. This recognition is a fitting reward for his proactive research, sense of responsibility, and effort to devise technical solutions from daily work challenges.

From a specific issue in tyre vulcanisation, Mr. Tùng’s initiative demonstrates that improvements rooted in production realities, even if not major or complex, can create significant economic value. It is also testament to the important role of engineers and workers in enhancing product quality, advancing technology, and contributing to CASUMINA’s operational efficiency and business success.