Web handling fundamentals.

Learn

Plain explanations of the control systems that keep a roll-to-roll line running straight and stable: what each system does, how it works, and what has to be known before choosing one. Written for engineers meeting these systems for the first time, and for anyone specifying one.

Web Guiding

Lateral web position: how it is measured, why it drifts and how it is corrected.

What Is a Web Guiding System and How Does It Work?

The closed control loop explained from first principles: why the web drifts, what the sensor, controller, actuator and guide frame each do, the difference between edge, center and line guiding, where the guide goes on the machine, and what to check before specifying one.

Read the Guide

More Detail by Topic

Once the fundamentals are clear, these articles go into specific selection and troubleshooting questions.

Sensor Selection

Ultrasonic, infrared and CCD detection compared against material transparency, edge condition and machine section.

Ultrasonic vs Infrared Sensors

Component Matching

How the controller, edge sensor and actuator form one loop, and the compatibility checks to make before buying them separately.

How the Loop Fits Together

Frame or Components

When a complete integrated guide frame is required and when separate components are enough.

Frame vs Components

Guiding Position

What unwind guiding and rewind guiding each correct, and when a line needs both.

Unwind vs Rewind Guiding

Label Printing Machines

Integrated units and matched component packages for narrow-web label printing and finishing lines.

Guiding for Label Machines

Web Tension Control

Longitudinal web tension: how it is measured, what goes wrong when it is unstable, and how it is controlled.

What Is Web Tension Control and How Does It Work?

Why a constant brake torque does not give constant tension, how load cells measure force and why wrap angle matters, the difference between open loop and closed loop, taper tension at the rewind, and how to arrive at a defensible tension setpoint.

Read the Guide

Web Tension Control Problems in Roll-to-Roll Machines

Wrinkles, web breaks, unstable winding and registration error traced back to their tension causes, with the selection data needed to fix them.

Read Article

Industrial Static Control

Static generation on moving webs, where it causes problems and how it is removed or applied.

How to Choose an Industrial Static Eliminator for Film and Printing Lines

Static source, material, web width, line speed, installation distance, and when detection is worth adding.

Read Article

Static Control vs Web Cleaning: What Converting Lines Usually Need

How to tell static-related dust attraction apart from surface contamination, cutting dust and process debris.

Read Article

Have an application rather than a question?

Send the web path, material, width range, line speed and the machine section you want to control. KENDORIC will review the application and come back with a practical configuration.

Request an Application Review