Alpha unwinds textiles

14 November 2006


Alpha Converting recently delivered a special AlphaReel unwind stand for feeding both coated and bare woven webs into a new generation laser cutting machine. This unwind has two different tension zones with independent settings. The tension can be set at one level for smooth unwinding of the web from the mother roll and then fed into the laser machine at the optimum tension for the cutting process. Both tension zones have an AC motor with flux vector drive operating under dancer control.

“The dancer for the second zone feeding into the laser has been specially designed for this project,” says Alpha’s managing, director Simon King. “It has a zero friction arrangement for very low tension operation when processing lighter materials.”

To optimize the flow of the web through the line, the unwind is fitted with programmable centre and edge guiding. In centre guiding mode, the edge guide heads automatically adjust to different web widths so that the web is always in the centre of the machine with minimum operator involvement. In the edge guiding mode, the operator can set the desired position on the touchscreen and the edge sensor automatically moves to set the web to the desired position.

In another textiles application, Alpha supplied five AlphaReel unwinds and a rewinder for a multiweb laminating line. Each unwind, up to 1,600 mm diameter, is motor driven with dancer control, and again the tensions can be set independently for each to suit the webs making up the different layers of the lamination. Joining of the unwind web is simplified by a thermal bonding station for heat sealing the new webs.

The rewinder has an automatic end of roll change-over system with manual exchange of the roll carts. A 12-roll accumulator allows the laminator to continue production at full speed during roll change.

The reelstands were supplied complete with roll storage carts that are docked for easy winding. Each stand has its own PLC controller so that it can be operated independently, and is supplied ready for interfacing to the principal line controller for a fully integrated system.



Contact

Alpha Converting Equipment
Tel: +44 (0)1767 692244





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