MOLDING METHOD FOR TIRE PRODUCTION

A tire is molded in a mold having elements movable to bring the mold into an open or into a closed position. The mold includes first and second sidewall mold plates and tread mold segments capable of forming a mold cavity. The segments are radially. The process comprises: bringing the mold from an open position into a first intermediate position wherein the segments remain separated radially from the tire by a radial clearance; creating an axial clearance between the tire and the first or second sidewall mold plate so as to bring the mold into a second intermediate position; drawing a vacuum on the mold cavity while the mold is in the second position; bringing the mold from the second position into the first position by axially moving the first or second sidewall mold plate; and moving the segments radially inwardly and bringing the mold into the closed position.