Method for providing precured innerliners (50) having a predetermined
cross sectional profile for use as part of a pneumatic tire assembly used
in a bladder-less shaping and vulcanizing mold. The innerliner (50) is
formed from a continuous strip of elastomeric material (12) hot formed
using a calender assembly (10) with a profiled calender roller (16). The
formed strip is cured "in-line" in a press (38) having a profile matching
platen (80) before being wound onto a tire building drum (48). After the
pneumatic tire assembly is completed, the assembly is shaped and cured in
a bladder-less mold, utilizing the precured innerliner as the impervious
inner layer. Initially, the center region (62) of the innerliner is at
least twice as thick as the lateral regions (72, 74). In the finished
pneumatic tire, the innerliner exhibits a uniform thickness.