The EPT-1 tension-control system automatically controls unwind break pressure to control web tension and prevent overcoasting of mill rolls. It can be retrofitted to any single-position unwind stand. The EPT-1 system operates independently of web speed, while continuously monitoring the mill roll's diameter and adjusting air pressure to the unwind brake as the diameter changes.

ELSNER ENGINEERING WORKS, INC. , 717/637-5991, fax: 717/633-7100, www.elsnereng.com

Co.'s inertia-compensated dancer is a constant tension device that relies on the laws of physics rather than complex controls for controlling web tension. Tension is established by the dancer and proportional feedback from its travel is used to maintain the dancer within its stroke. The dancer balances translational and rotational inertia, absorbing tension disturbances.

MARTIN AUTOMATIC, INC. , 815/654-4800, fax: 815/654-4810, www.martinautomatic.com

Co.'s low-profile THN tension transducer is a strain-gauge sensing device for measuring tension in a variety of web converting or printing processes. At just over 2 in. wide, the THN's thin profile allows for easy mounting in limited horizontal space. Single-bolt mounting lets the transducer force orientation to be adjusted as desired.

DOVER FLEXO ELECTRONICS , 603/332-6150, fax: 603/332-3758, www.dfe.com

South Shore Controls (Perry, OH), a full-service systems integrator, needed loads cells for its machine that work on a variety of materials or a sandwich of drastically different products. The machine is being used for a project the company is working on with Avery Dennison. "What we needed was tension measuring ranges of 200 to 1," said Rick Stark, South Shore president.

Having used a variety of products from FMS USA, Inc. (www.fms-technology.com) before, South Shore approached the supplier for a solution. FMS introduced South Shore to its LMGZ.D series Double Range Tension Sensors, which are capable of 200 to 1 tension measuring ranges. "That has really been the big feature," said Stark.

The load cells have two built-in independent measuring ranges where the high range can be 10 times the maximum low range. The high and low ranges each have 20 to 1 measuring ratios, providing the entire 200 to 1 range. Both measuring ranges have mechanical stops, and the entire tension sensor is made of stainless steel to ensure that the load cells will not drift and require no recalibration, says FMS.

"We've had very good luck with the load cells and amplifiers in terms of getting them to work well with PLCs," Stark said. "And we found they have much lower maintenance (than other brands)."

FMS USA, INC. 847/392-7872, fax: 847/392-7873, www.fms-technology.com

Co.'s Re Integrated Tension System packages all electrical and pneumatic components in a single, ready-to-mount, NEMA-style enclosure. Model EP.03 contains the MW.90.10 controller, E/P converter, air-pressure gages and manual override dials. Plus, it quickly connects to new or existing pneumatic brakes. The MW.90.10 has three P.I.D. settings for acceleration, running and deceleration, so it maintains consistent tension relative to line speed.

DOUBLE E CO. , 508/588-8099, fax: 508/580-2915, www.doubleeusa.com

The RSTC1000 is a closed-loop, load-cell-based, tension-control product that uses an adaptive control algorithm to adjust internal gain values. It can be used for unwind, wind or mid-process tension zone control on web-processing machinery. It controls the torque output of brakes, clutches and AC or DC drives.

NEXEN GROUP, INC. , 651/484-5900, fax: 651/286-1099, www.nexengroup.com

The HI 3300 tension controller uses co.'s WAVESAVER® technology to ignore the vibration in the load-cell signal, keep the tension level consistent and optimize the closed-loop control system. It also features an electronic calibration technology used with Hardy C2®-based load cells or with any other LVDT or strain-gage-based load cells. It can be integrated with a printing or converting plant's PLC or DCS system as well.

HARDY INSTRUMENTS , 800/821-5831, fax: 858/278-6700, www.hardyinstruments.com

Co. offers a variety of solutions for tension monitoring and automatic web-tension control. The PD load-cell assembly has maximum overload factors of three and 10 times nominal measuring force, flexible mounting options and no influence on roller weight. The PD 30 sensor roller has a maximum overload factor of 10, roller diameters of 80, 100, 120, 160 and 200 mm, and a variety of roller surfaces: polished, cork, anodized and grooved.

ERHARDT+LEIMER, INC. , 864/486-3000, fax: 864/486-3011, www.erhardt-leimer.com

Paperboard converter Smurfit Townsend-Hook (Snodland, UK) upgraded its Jagenberg sheeter with a comprehensive lineup of tension-control equipment from The Montalvo Corp.

Custom integrator Arrowhive Equipment (Stoke Row, UK) supplied the Montalvo systems for the 63-in. web width, five-station Jagenberg sheeter, which operates at speeds to 1,000 fpm. Installed were eight Montalvo HP-804 Series pneumatic friction brakes, five X-3000ce UW tension controllers (PCB-for panel mounting), 10 tension-sensing load cells, five Type TM-2 tension meters and various other components. Also, making their UK debut: the new X-3400ce tension controller, D-3400ce dancer roll controller and DTI-3400ce dancer controller with tension indicator.

Today's high-speed sheetfed presses require curl-free sheets with close tolerances of length, width and squareness. To achieve such tolerances and minimize waste, accurate tension control on each sheeter roll stand is essential. Roll stands can be equipped with Montalvo tension-sensing load cells for direct measurement of "actual" web tension.

THE MONTALVO CORP. , 207/856-2501, fax: 207/856-2509, www.montalvo.com