A web processing roll for handling a web of material using vacuum is provided. The web processing roll includes a roll body. The roll body defines an outer periphery against which the web of material is held. The roll body defines a vacuum passage. At least one first vacuum hole fluidly connects to the vacuum passage provides vacuum proximate the outer periphery of the roll body to hold the web of material against the outer periphery with vacuum supplied to the at least one first vacuum hole by the vacuum passage. A first flow path of the vacuum hole extends at a first angle that is non-perpendicular to the rotational axis and is directed, at least in part, axially toward one of the first and second ends at the first outlet end of the at least one first vacuum hole.

A web processing roll for handling a web of material using vacuum is provided. The web processing roll includes a roll body. The roll body defines an outer periphery against which the web of material is held. The roll body defines a vacuum passage. At least one first vacuum hole fluidly connects to the vacuum passage provides vacuum proximate the outer periphery of the roll body to hold the web of material against the outer periphery with vacuum supplied to the at least one first vacuum hole by the vacuum passage. A first flow path of the vacuum hole extends at a first angle that is non-perpendicular to the rotational axis and is directed, at least in part, axially toward one of the first and second ends at the first outlet end of the at least one first vacuum hole.

A processing system and a method for processing a flexible substrate (e.g., a web) use a tensioner with a vacuum plate that can be moved along a transport direction of the flexible substrate with an indexer that intermittently moves the flexible substrate for processing. The tensioner and the indexer are controlled so that a relative speed between the indexer and the vacuum plate of the tensioner is maintained above a predefined threshold under all working conditions, even when the flexible substrate is stopped.

A processing system and a method for processing a flexible substrate (e.g., a web) use a tensioner with a vacuum plate that can be moved along a transport direction of the flexible substrate with an indexer that intermittently moves the flexible substrate for processing. The tensioner and the indexer are controlled so that a relative speed between the indexer and the vacuum plate of the tensioner is maintained above a predefined threshold under all working conditions, even when the flexible substrate is stopped.

Maker machine to manufacture hygiene absorbent articles and having: a feeding line which feeds a continuous strip of impermeable material, which is intended to define a succession of sheets of impermeable material; and at least one operating unit which feeds a corresponding component of the hygiene absorbent articles to the sheets of impermeable material carried by the feeding line by way of an application device; the application device has at least one sucking pick-up head and a conveyor provided with an annular guide which is arranged in fixed position along an application path, a slide which supports the sucking pick-up head and is coupled to the guide so as to freely slide along the guide, and a linear electric motor, which has a stator that is arranged in a fixed position along the guide and a mobile slider which is electro-magnetically coupled to the stator so as to receive, from the stator a driving force and is rigidly connected to the slide.

Maker machine to manufacture hygiene absorbent articles and having: a feeding line which feeds a continuous strip of impermeable material, which is intended to define a succession of sheets of impermeable material; and at least one operating unit which feeds a corresponding component of the hygiene absorbent articles to the sheets of impermeable material carried by the feeding line by way of an application device; the application device has at least one sucking pick-up head and a conveyor provided with an annular guide which is arranged in fixed position along an application path, a slide which supports the sucking pick-up head and is coupled to the guide so as to freely slide along the guide, and a linear electric motor, which has a stator that is arranged in a fixed position along the guide and a mobile slider which is electro-magnetically coupled to the stator so as to receive, from the stator a driving force and is rigidly connected to the slide.

An electrode manufacturing apparatus includes a support roll supporting an electrode sheet, at least one pressure roll, a level sensor, and a control unit. The electrode sheet includes a coated portion and an uncoated portion, and the support roll transports the electrode sheet in a first direction. The pressure roll contacts the support roll with the electrode sheet disposed therebetween and pressurizes the uncoated portion of the electrode sheet. The level sensor detects a level of the uncoated portion, and the control unit controls the pressure roll in response to the level detected by the level sensor. The at least one pressure roll is movable in a second direction crossing the first direction.

An electrode manufacturing apparatus includes a support roll supporting an electrode sheet, at least one pressure roll, a level sensor, and a control unit. The electrode sheet includes a coated portion and an uncoated portion, and the support roll transports the electrode sheet in a first direction. The pressure roll contacts the support roll with the electrode sheet disposed therebetween and pressurizes the uncoated portion of the electrode sheet. The level sensor detects a level of the uncoated portion, and the control unit controls the pressure roll in response to the level detected by the level sensor. The at least one pressure roll is movable in a second direction crossing the first direction.

A roller assembly for transporting a substrate includes a step roller, a first transport roller, and a second transport roller. The step roller includes a main roller, an air cylinder, and a pair of edge rollers. The air cylinder is sleeved on the main roller, and includes a plurality of air jetting holes and a plurality of air suction holes. The edge rollers are disposed on the main roller and are located on opposite ends of the air cylinder. The first transport roller and the second transport roller are disposed on opposite sides of the step roller, wherein the substrate is transported from the first transport roller to the second transport roller through the step roller. A method using the same is also provided.

A roller assembly for transporting a substrate includes a step roller, a first transport roller, and a second transport roller. The step roller includes a main roller, an air cylinder, and a pair of edge rollers. The air cylinder is sleeved on the main roller, and includes a plurality of air jetting holes and a plurality of air suction holes. The edge rollers are disposed on the main roller and are located on opposite ends of the air cylinder. The first transport roller and the second transport roller are disposed on opposite sides of the step roller, wherein the substrate is transported from the first transport roller to the second transport roller through the step roller. A method using the same is also provided.