A device and method of winding a web (W) of tissue paper or a non-woven material onto spools (2) to form a succession of web reels (3) on the spools (2) wherein the force in the winding nip (5) is measured and, as the diameter of the web reel (3) grows, the spool (2) on which the web reel (3) is wound is moved during winding along a horizontal plane such that, in the horizontal direction, the distance between the first supporting drum (4) and the spool (2) increases, and the second supporting drum (9) is moved vertically downwards to match the increasing size of the web reel (3) while maintaining contact with the web reel (3) to such an extent that a nip force between the web reel (3) and the second supporting drum (9) is maintained, and the first supporting drum (4) is moved vertically downwards as the diameter of the web reel (3) grows and moved to such an extent that the measured nip force in the winding nip (5) remains substantially at a set value or within the range of a predetermined upper and a predetermined lower value.

A rewinding machine winds a web material into a log about a core. The web material to be wound is directed about a rotating winding drum. A continuous loop is spaced from the winding drum and with the winding drum defines a nip through which the core is inserted and through which the web material is directed. A surface of the continuous loop opposite the winding drum across the nip is configured to move in a direction generally opposite of the winding drum for winding the web material about the core. A rider roll defines a winding space with the winding drum and the continuous loop. The rider roll is movable relative to the continuous loop and the winding drum to allow for an increase in a diameter of the log in the winding space during winding of the web material about the core.

A rewinding machine winds a web material into a log about a core. The web material to be wound is directed about a rotating winding drum. A continuous loop is spaced from the winding drum and with the winding drum defines a nip through which the core is inserted and through which the web material is directed. A surface of the continuous loop opposite the winding drum across the nip is configured to move in a direction generally opposite of the winding drum for winding the web material about the core. A rider roll defines a winding space with the winding drum and the continuous loop. The rider roll is movable relative to the continuous loop and the winding drum to allow for an increase in a diameter of the log in the winding space during winding of the web material about the core.

A winding condition generating apparatus includes: an input unit; an output unit; and a condition calculation unit. A winding condition calculation unit includes a learning model created by machine learning using a combination of a winding parameter and a winding condition in producing a wound web that satisfies a target winding quality as training data, and calculates a winding condition of a new wound web using the learning model, from a winding parameter of a new wound web input through the input unit. The output unit outputs the winding condition. The winding parameter includes a web width, a web transport velocity, and a web winding length. The winding condition includes a tension of the web at the start of winding and a tension of the web at the end of winding.

A winding condition generating apparatus includes: an input unit; an output unit; and a condition calculation unit. A winding condition calculation unit includes a learning model created by machine learning using a combination of a winding parameter and a winding condition in producing a wound web that satisfies a target winding quality as training data, and calculates a winding condition of a new wound web using the learning model, from a winding parameter of a new wound web input through the input unit. The output unit outputs the winding condition. The winding parameter includes a web width, a web transport velocity, and a web winding length. The winding condition includes a tension of the web at the start of winding and a tension of the web at the end of winding.

The present invention provides an adaptive control system to control a plant using direct output feedback in which a function of the full plant state, as opposed to estimates thereof, is used for feedback control of the plant. The adaptive control system of this invention is therefore highly useful in the control of plants, particularly plants for controlling the physical properties of rolls of web material and more particularly a calendering apparatus. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment the adaptive control system of this invention controls loading of a calender apparatus, such as a pair of opposed rolls forming a calendering stack, based upon the physical properties of a previously processed web.

The present invention provides an adaptive control system to control a plant using direct output feedback in which a function of the full plant state, as opposed to estimates thereof, is used for feedback control of the plant. The adaptive control system of this invention is therefore highly useful in the control of plants, particularly plants for controlling the physical properties of rolls of web material and more particularly a calendering apparatus. Accordingly, in a particularly preferred embodiment the adaptive control system of this invention controls loading of a calender apparatus, such as a pair of opposed rolls forming a calendering stack, based upon the physical properties of a previously processed web.

It is disclosed a substrate compactness detection method for a printer wherein the printer comprises a roller to receive a substrate roll and a media advance mechanism to receive a substrate from the substrate roll, the method comprising: determining a substrate thickness; advancing the substrate for a length; measuring an angular displacement of the roller caused by the advancing of the substrate; determining the substrate roll radius by using the length and the angular displacement; and calculating a compactness parameter in view of the substrate roll radius and the substrate thickness.

The medium winding device includes a winding shaft, a drive unit for winding the medium around the winding member, a rotating member rotatably disposed, a tension applying member which moves as the drive unit is driven or stopped, a position detecting unit for detecting the position of the tension applying member, an output changing unit, a control unit that determines whether slippage occurs between the winding shaft and the winding member based on the position of the tension applying member and the result of output change by a rotation of the winding shaft. Further, the drive unit includes a torque limiter.

The medium winding device includes a winding shaft, a drive unit for winding the medium around the winding member, a rotating member rotatably disposed, a tension applying member which moves as the drive unit is driven or stopped, a position detecting unit for detecting the position of the tension applying member, an output changing unit, a control unit that determines whether slippage occurs between the winding shaft and the winding member based on the position of the tension applying member and the result of output change by a rotation of the winding shaft. Further, the drive unit includes a torque limiter.