Aug 01 2011
Types of Web Tension Control
Web tension control is a key factor in keeping web material safe from damage and/or distortion during a production operation. A web may be plastic, film, foil or any number of materials that are on a continuous roll. As the material rolls from one roller to the next, tension may cause the material to become damaged or misaligned. So controllers are used to keep the web tension under control.
There are several methods of tension control. Taper tension control involves descreasing the material’s tension while it’s in the “rewind zone” as the roll increases in size. The taper tension method relieves pressure and helps to avoid telescoping of the material. Some plants use soft starters for their motors to help reduce loss of material upon starting the heavy duty motor. There are also open-loop and closed-loop methods of web tension control. Open-loop systems require manual adjustment of a device that’s used to control and/or measure tension. With closed-loop systems, the controller is automatic so it generates a signal and compares it to the actual tension automatically according to a pre-set figure.
Consider all forms of web tension control to determine which is right for your application. Manufacturers sometimes offer one-on-one assistance so you can speak with an engineer about your tension control needs.
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