The ultimate guide to tire sidewall scanning tools that boost speed, accuracy, and automation.
It’s 07:45 and the line is already backed up
Stacks of tires wait to be identified. Workers tilt and rotate each one, trying to spot DOT or TIN codes buried under dust, while the next delivery is already waiting at the gate. In that moment, your inspection method determines whether your workflow moves efficiently or slows to a crawl.
Across tire recycling yards, distribution hubs, and service centers, teams rely on one or a combination of three tools: manual gauges, drive-over scanners, and AI-driven tire sidewall scanners like Scanflow.
This comparison guide outlines the strengths, trade-offs, and real-world fit of each solution, helping you choose the right technology based on speed, accuracy, mobility, automation, and total cost to operate.
What Makes Scanflow Different
Scanflow is an AI-powered tire sidewall scanner that automatically captures DOT/TIN, tire size, brand, QR codes, and barcodes in less than a second. It delivers fast, structured tire data without manual entry, improving traceability, compliance, and productivity.
Built for flexibility, Scanflow runs on mobile devices, CCTV, or IP cameras, connects to any backend system, and works without internet access using local edge intelligence. It can operate as a ready-to-use app or as a customizable SDK integrated into existing software.
From tire recyclers and distributors to assembly-line operations and workshops, Scanflow turns any camera into an automated tire identification scanner no dedicated lane or hardware build-out required.
Manual Gauges: Familiar, Fast but Limited on Proof
Why teams still use them: Manual gauges remain the cheapest and most portable option for quick spot checks or tread measurements. They’re lightweight, easy to use, and have minimal startup cost.
The trade-offs:
Gauges only measure specific points on the tread and don’t capture any sidewall data like DOT codes or tire brand. Without visual documentation or digital traceability, manual readings can’t support detailed reports or automation. Errors in transcription and subjective measurements make data inconsistent especially across large teams or multi-site operations.
Operational impact:
- Slower reporting and manual input into databases
- No proof for audits or recycling compliance
- Limited scalability for automated sorting or tire tracking
Best fit:
Small workshops or low-volume operations where tires are checked manually and digital documentation isn’t a priority.
Drive-Over Scanners: Throughput with a Trade-Off
What they do well:
Drive-over scanners provide automated tread measurement in seconds. Vehicles roll over embedded plates equipped with sensors or cameras, delivering 3D tread scans, color-coded heatmaps, and wear analytics. These systems are highly effective for throughput optimization in fixed service lanes.
The limitations:
Despite their speed and accuracy for tread wear, drive-over scanners cannot capture tire sidewall information. They miss critical data like DOT/TIN, tire size, and brand essential for traceability, recycling, and inventory management.
Installation is costly and space-intensive, requiring dedicated lanes, controlled lighting, and periodic calibration. Mobility is zero; once installed, the system stays fixed.
Operational impact:
- Excellent for tread analysis, poor for sidewall identification
- High setup and maintenance costs
- Not suitable for mobile inspections or outdoor recycling environments
Best fit:
Large dealer networks or service centers with permanent drive-over lanes focused primarily on tread wear and vehicle alignment.
Scanflow Tire Sidewall Scanner: Automated, Accurate, and Mobile
What it is:
The Scanflow Tire Sidewall Scanner is an AI-driven tire identification system that captures every key sidewall element DOT/TIN, brand, size, QR code, and barcode in less than a second. It transforms manual inspections into structured, digital data collection.
How it works:
Using edge AI, Scanflow processes images locally for near-instant recognition. The system runs on mobile devices, mounted cameras, or existing IP/CCTV setups, requiring no internet connection. It’s flexible enough to adapt to tire recyclers, assembly lines, or retail workshops scaling easily across multiple sites.
Capabilities You Can Put to Work
- Instant Tire Data Capture: Identify full sidewall information in under one second.
- Edge AI Processing: Operates securely offline no cloud latency or data dependency.
- Flexible Deployment: Compatible with smartphones, CCTV, and IP cameras.
- System Integration: Connects seamlessly with ERP, WMS, CRM, and recycling software.
- Customizable Setup: Configure workflows for sorting, assembly, or service inspections.
Key Benefits of Scanflow
- Speed & Accuracy: AI recognition eliminates manual entry and human error.
- Safety: Reduces physical handling of tires and improves ergonomics for staff.
- Automation: Tire data syncs automatically with your digital systems.
- Mobility: Works anywhere warehouse floor, yard, or remote station.
- Scalability: Expand from one device to hundreds without infrastructure overhaul.
- Data Confidence: Every record includes timestamped, structured tire details for audits and compliance.
Why Tire Sidewall Scanning Matters
Accurate sidewall data capture is essential for:
- Recycling traceability: Ensuring correct disposal or re-use tracking through DOT/TIN and brand data.
- Distribution and inventory management: Reducing manual SKU errors and improving warehouse automation.
- Assembly-line fitment: Matching correct tire size and brand to vehicle models with zero human input.
- Retail and service transparency: Providing clear documentation of tire condition and manufacturing details to customers.
Feature Comparison: Gauges vs. Drive-Over Scanners vs. Scanflow
| Method | Speed | Sidewall Data | Mobility | Integration | Accuracy | Best Fit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual Gauges | Low | None | High | None | Operator-dependent | Spot checks & verification | |
| Drive-Over Scanners | Medium-High | Tread only | None | Limited | High (controlled lane) | High-volume fixed service lanes | |
| Scanflow Tire Sidewall Scanner | Instant (<1s) | Full (DOT/TIN, brand, size, QR, barcode) | High | Seamless (ERP, CRM, WMS) | AI-Driven Precision | Recyclers, distributors, assembly lines, service centers |
Unlike traditional tread-only systems, Scanflow’s tire sidewall scanner gives you the complete picture of each tire’s identity, lifecycle, and compliance status.
Feature Comparison: Gauges vs. Drive-Over Scanners vs. Scanflow
A Practical Combo That Works
Some organizations combine technologies for full-spectrum coverage: using drive-over scanners to analyze tread wear during service intake and Scanflow to record tire sidewall data for documentation, traceability, and inventory automation. Together, they create a unified tire inspection workflow visual, verifiable, and data-driven.
Which Approach Fits Your Operation?
- Gauges: Lowest cost but minimal documentation or automation.
- Drive-Over Scanners: Great for tread analysis; limited for identification or mobility.
- Scanflow Tire Sidewall Scanner: AI-powered, fast, mobile, and integrable ideal for organizations prioritizing automation, data accuracy, and scalability.
See how the Scanflow Tire Sidewall Scanner transforms tire data capture bringing instant recognition, automation, and connectivity to your workflow.
Whether you manage a recycling yard, distribution center, or tire service operation, Scanflow delivers accurate results in real time without disrupting your existing setup.
Try Scanflow and Request a Demo Today.
