Meeting Today’s Challenges in Web Handling

R. Duane Smith, Davis-Standard LLC

All web processes require conveying a web straight through a process without distortion, scratching or wrinkle defects. Today’s productivity demands for the web manufacturing and converting industries is to consistently produce and convert thinner and wider web materials at ever increasing production speeds.  The challenge of conveying these thinner webs at lighter tensions and higher speeds requires special attention to the web handling components on the process line.  Positive traction between the web and the web support rollers is very important to ensure that the web is conveyed straight through the process and that the web support rolls turn at the web’s speed to prevent scratching the web’s surface. Positive web traction on the spreader roll is critical to ensure a positive spreading action of the web.  Web traction is also very important to ensure proper web guiding off the unwinding operation and through critical web position processes.
This presentation outlines these web handling components including the requirements of proper idler roll design, proper amount and control of the lighter web tension for lighter gauge (thinner) products, good web spreading and proper web guiding. The design and application of these web handling components is critical to insure consistent defect free production of today’s thinner more delicate web materials at increasing production speeds on your web manufacturing and converting lines.