Practical applications of unwind systems for converting slitter rewinders

All converting slitter rewinders require an unwinding system. Although often considered a simple fonction, the selection of a proper unwinding system is extremely important to the overall productivity of the slitter rewinder. The major tradeoff of an unwinding system is cost vs. efficiency. A light-duty unwind may be the most cost effective for a low-production operation, but for high-production operation, a rugged-duty, shaftless, floor pickup is often more suitable for maximum operation speed and roll-changing efficiency. The shaft selection, chucking system, tension control, web-squaring, side-shifting, and edge-guiding equipment will also affect the overall performance. Application : this paper discusses the proper selection of an unwind and the auxiliary equipment needed to ensure the maximum performance and productivity from a slitter rewinder.