A method of operating an off-line finishing device for fiber webs, in particular an off-line slitter-winder for winding fiber webs, wherein in operating the off-line device the running speed is automatically optimized to minimize cost of web breaks. The method considers the costs associated with a web break during unwinding in addition to the cost benefit of maximizing web unwind speed so as to maximize machine utilization. The method determines an optimal web break stopping time in a web break situation and how often a web break is predicted. Automatic optimization incorporates limitations including the maximum rotation speed of the parent roll, the maximum speed of the fiber web being unwound, the maximum positive torque which can be applied to the parent roll to accelerate the parent roll to a rotation rate which produces a desired web speed, and maximum braking torque.

This invention provides web-cutting mechanism that can be mounted in line at an appropriate location between the web-handling peripheral (printer) and a web roll. The cutting mechanism operates before the available storage in the winder festoon has been exhausted, and decouples the roll's energy from the web. The cutting mechanism can employ a blade that is drawn through the web solely by the movement of the web itself. The blade is mounted at a (e.g.) 45-degree angle to web travel, causing it to be pulled through the web. A negator spring assembly and associated cable drives the blade into the side edge of the web when a slide-mounted blade shuttle assembly is released by a latching pawl of a solenoid assembly. The solenoid is triggered by a signal indicating an emergency stop condition, such as an upstream jam.

This invention provides web-cutting mechanism that can be mounted in line at an appropriate location between the web-handling peripheral (printer) and a web roll. The cutting mechanism operates before the available storage in the winder festoon has been exhausted, and decouples the roll's energy from the web. The cutting mechanism can employ a blade that is drawn through the web solely by the movement of the web itself. The blade is mounted at a (e.g.) 45-degree angle to web travel, causing it to be pulled through the web. A negator spring assembly and associated cable drives the blade into the side edge of the web when a slide-mounted blade shuttle assembly is released by a latching pawl of a solenoid assembly. The solenoid is triggered by a signal indicating an emergency stop condition, such as an upstream jam.

A device for cardboard storage and removal for a bridge in a corrugated cardboard production line includes a bridge over which a conveyor system for conveying the single-sided laminated corrugated cardboard web is arranged. The exit end of the conveyor system for conveying the single-sided laminated corrugated cardboard web is provided with a clamping and cutting unit and a movable cardboard storage carriage unit is provided under the conveyor system for conveying the single-sided laminated corrugated cardboard web, under which conveyor system a conveyor belt system is provided in the bridge, and in the bridge an opening is provided, under which a waste cardboard collecting carriage is provided. The movable cardboard storage carriage unit stores the cardboard by means of cardboard storage rolls, which retain the single-sided laminated corrugated cardboard web flat on the bridge. In the event that a splicing defect is detected, the defective piece is cut out by the clamping and cutting unit and ejected by the conveyor belt system to the waste cardboard collecting carriage through the opening. Hence, it follows that productivity is improved.

A device for cardboard storage and removal for a bridge in a corrugated cardboard production line includes a bridge over which a conveyor system for conveying the single-sided laminated corrugated cardboard web is arranged. The exit end of the conveyor system for conveying the single-sided laminated corrugated cardboard web is provided with a clamping and cutting unit and a movable cardboard storage carriage unit is provided under the conveyor system for conveying the single-sided laminated corrugated cardboard web, under which conveyor system a conveyor belt system is provided in the bridge, and in the bridge an opening is provided, under which a waste cardboard collecting carriage is provided. The movable cardboard storage carriage unit stores the cardboard by means of cardboard storage rolls, which retain the single-sided laminated corrugated cardboard web flat on the bridge. In the event that a splicing defect is detected, the defective piece is cut out by the clamping and cutting unit and ejected by the conveyor belt system to the waste cardboard collecting carriage through the opening. Hence, it follows that productivity is improved.

An apparatus and method for tracking defects in sheet materials. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

An apparatus and method for tracking defects in sheet materials. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading Abstract of the Disclosure. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

A printing device includes: a substrate feed-out section; a substrate transport section; a storage which stores the width size of the substrate; a skew correction section including a skew sensor which detects the skew of the substrate, and adapted to correct the skew of the substrate with reference to an output of the skew sensor and the substrate width size stored in the storage; an image recording section which performs an image recording operation on the substrate; a first sensor which detects a width size-changed portion of the substrate upstream of the skew correction section with respect to the transport direction; and a controller. Upon the detection of the width size-changed portion, the controller stops the substrate skew correction while continuously transporting the substrate. After the width size-changed portion of the substrate reaches a reference position downstream of the skew correction section, the controller restarts the skew correction.

A printing device includes: a substrate feed-out section; a substrate transport section; a storage which stores the width size of the substrate; a skew correction section including a skew sensor which detects the skew of the substrate, and adapted to correct the skew of the substrate with reference to an output of the skew sensor and the substrate width size stored in the storage; an image recording section which performs an image recording operation on the substrate; a first sensor which detects a width size-changed portion of the substrate upstream of the skew correction section with respect to the transport direction; and a controller. Upon the detection of the width size-changed portion, the controller stops the substrate skew correction while continuously transporting the substrate. After the width size-changed portion of the substrate reaches a reference position downstream of the skew correction section, the controller restarts the skew correction.

In an example of the disclosure, power of a first light beam emitted across a web media along a length of the roller is measured utilizing a first optical transmitter and first optical receiver pair situated adjacent to a roller. Power of a second light beam emitted across a length of the roller is measured utilizing a second optical transmitter and second optical receiver pair situated adjacent to the roller. A media height non-uniformity is identified based upon of the measurement of the power of the first light beam and the measurement of the power of the second light beam.