Tyre prototype laser carving machine

The Zenna Laser Flexcutter Tyre helps tyre manufacturers bridge the gap between the first CAD design and serial production. Instead of waiting months for new production moulds, R&D teams can cut tread patterns, markings and detailed sipes directly into tyres, creating physical prototypes in approximately 5 hours.

The machine is built for true tyre prototyping, not mass production. It is intended for the development phase, where manufacturers need a limited number of tyres to test and validate new designs for noise, grip, handling and real-life performance.

From CAD design to real tyre testing

Tyre development only becomes meaningful once a design can be tested in real-life conditions. The Flexcutter Tyre makes it possible to move quickly from digital tread design to physical tyre prototype, without the cost and lead time of production tooling.

By cutting tread patterns directly into tyres, development teams can evaluate real tyre performance much earlier in the process. This shortens development cycles, supports faster design iterations and improves collaboration between engineering, product and commercial teams.

Prototype tyres can be used for:

• on-vehicle testing
• tread performance evaluation
• concept validation
• internal product reviews
• customer presentations

Flexible laser carving for changing designs

The Flexcutter Tyre uses digitally controlled laser processing designed for rubber materials used in tyre manufacturing. New CAD designs can be translated into tread patterns, sipes, markings, local material modifications or tread adjustments without mechanical tooling changes.

This gives R&D teams the flexibility to test different design versions quickly, while maintaining precise tread geometry, consistent cutting depth, minimal material stress and no mechanical tool wear. Because the process is laser-based, prototypes can closely represent tyres produced with moulds.

Software-driven process control

Zenna Laser software supports a controlled and repeatable development process. New designs and process settings can be prepared, stored and recalled, making it possible to produce additional prototype tyres to the same specification.

This helps teams connect design changes, laser parameters and physical test results more clearly. It also supports more reliable comparison between prototype versions during noise, grip, wear or performance testing.