A device for testing a tire that has a tread and extending sidewalls
includes an apparatus for receiving and rotating a tire and at least one
measurement device operatively placed to measure at least one of the
sidewalls as the tire is rotated wherein the measurement device is
radially moveable with respect to the sidewall in defined increments so
as to obtain a measurement profile for each radial position. A controller
is connected to the measurement device and receives each measurement
profile, wherein the controller classifies the measurement profile into
slope classifications, and wherein the controller monitors the slope
classifications for defective patterns and, if detected, monitors a
second measurement profile for another defective pattern. If another
defective pattern is detected in the second measurement profile in the
same radial region, the controller generates an indication that the tire
is defective.