JAKARTA – Tire manufacturers Michelin and Bridgeston have developed airless tires. It turns out that these two companies are not the only ones, Indonesian children also make airless tires. It is the Army Polytechnic (Poltekad) Kodiklat TNI AD students who have succeeded in creating airless tires.
They have been developing airless tires since 2019. In 2020 they tested the tires. Airless tire development and testing was carried out in Batu, East Java.
The Commander of the Poltekad Kodiklat TNI AD Brigadier General Nugraha Gumilar stated that the airless tire idea developed by his party was inspired by the world's automotive engineers who can make vehicle tires that no longer have to be filled with air.
"We try to make it too, if the quality is not inferior. So we are also proud of domestic products," said Nugraha.
Brigadier General Nugraha also revealed that when developing airless tires, his students used simple technology, equipment and materials. One example is the tire cavity that resembles a honeycomb made of raw rubber with chemical processing. The processing is then printed and then connected to the tire tread using the retread method.
"Because our laboratory is not as sophisticated as that of tire manufacturers," he said.
The airless tire developed by Poltekad has been tested on a double cabin pickup. Brigadier General Nugraha stated that airless tires can withstand loads of up to two to four tons. However, if it is used for large cars, it must make nets that are stronger and more flexible.
"But if you want to use it on a big car, you have to make the nets that are stronger and more flexible," he explained.
At first glance, the airless tires have a look that is not much different from those made by Michelin. Both have a unique and hollow structure that serves as a buffer between the rim and tire tread. However, the airless tires made by the country's children are made together with specially designed rims. While the Michelin airless tires are made separately between the tires and the rims.
However, these airless tires both have a durability that is not much different. Both are leak-proof and are claimed to be safe when stepping on sharp objects. Michelin plans to mass-produce its newest product in 2024. Until now, the TNI AD has not announced the continuation of the airless tire project which has bright prospects in the future.
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