Tire inspection introduction
Tire safety starts long before rubber meets the road. In today’s fast-moving automotive industry, traditional manual inspection methods are struggling to keep pace with the demands for speed, precision, and regulatory compliance.
That’s where tire inspection with the help of machine vision and artificial intelligence come in. Tire manufacturers worldwide are now leveraging EVT’s EyeVision software to detect defects, decode safety codes, and automate quality control processes that were once slow, inconsistent, and prone to human error.
From reading nearly invisible DOT codes to identifying aging tires, here are 7 game-changing ways that machine vision is transforming tire inspection—and why industry leaders are making the switch.
1. Automatic detection of low-contrast DOT codes
DOT codes are crucial for traceability, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. However, they’re often:
- Worn out or low-contrast
- The same color as the tire rubber
- Nearly invisible to the human eye
EyeVision’s 3D vision capabilities detect these codes with near-perfect accuracy, even when traditional 2D cameras or manual inspection fail. This ensures that no code is missed and no faulty tire slips through unnoticed.
2. Combining 2D and 3D inspection for full surface analysis
EyeVision integrates 2D industrial cameras with 3D height mapping to deliver a comprehensive view of the tire surface. This allows the system to:
- Capture both visual patterns and geometric details
- Detect surface defects, bubbles, cuts, or irregular shapes
- Identify profile deviations in real time
The result is faster, more consistent quality control with fewer false positives or missed defects.
f high-end production lines.
3. The power of AI / Deep Learning: smarter with every tire
Unlike rigid rule-based systems, EyeVision uses deep learning algorithms that continuously improve over time. Once trained on tire profile datasets, the software can:
- Identify complex patterns and anomalies
- Adapt to different tire types and brands
- Automatically classify defects and take action
This creates a flexible, scalable inspection process that gets smarter with every unit produced.
4. High-Speed, High-Volume inspection to match production rates
Manual inspection simply can’t keep up with modern production speeds. EyeVision-powered systems:
- Operate continuously with no downtime or fatigue
- Inspect thousands of tires per shift
- Identify defects or compliance issues in real time
This results in dramatic time savings and significantly higher throughput without sacrificing quality.
5. Automated compliance verification for safer roads
Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable, especially when lives are at stake. Machine vision enables:
- Instant validation of DOT codes, tire size, and manufacturer info
- Consistent enforcement of standards with no human bias
- Automatic rejection of non-compliant or defective products
Your inspection process goes from reactive to proactive—catching issues before they become liabilities.
6. The six-year rule: why age matters more than tread
Even tires that look brand new can be dangerously old.
Most major car manufacturers recommend replacing tires six years from the manufacturing date, regardless of tread wear. That’s because:
- Rubber degrades with exposure to oxygen, heat, and sunlight
- Aged tires pose serious safety risks, including blowouts
- DOT codes reveal the exact manufacture date (e.g., “1619” = Week 16 of 2019)
EyeVision systems automatically detect and log this information or communicates it to SACDA or other systems based on advanced communication e.g. OPC UA, ensuring aging tires are flagged and removed before they reach the road.
7. Total system integration for end-to-end inspection
EVT offers more than just software. We deliver complete machine vision ecosystems for the tire industry, including:
- 2D and 3D camera systems
- Robotic integration
- Custom dashboards and reporting tools
The EVT Solutions provide end-to-end coverage—from code detection to surface inspection to data logging—ensuring every tire that leaves your facility meets the highest standards.
