A curing press for tires is operated with a minimum curing time which will provide the near-optimum number of cure equivalents at the point of least cure without locating it. An average temperature for a particular period during the year is "set" in a programmable controller ("PC") based on minimum and maximum temperature measurements made in the curing room during the day and night over a preselected period of time. The actual ambient temperature is measured at the press, which temperature is essentially that of the green tire just before it is loaded in the prss. The PC controls operation of the press, and is used to provide a near- optimum but variable curing period, depending upon the difference between the "set" temperature and the actual (green tire) temperature, and whether it is greater than, or less than the "set" temperature, to provide a near-perfect cure without tracking the point of least cure.
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