A sensor signal is generated from a plurality of sensors located on a sensing roll, wherein each signal is generated when each sensor enters a nip between the sensing roll and a mating roll during each rotation of the sensing roll. An oscillating component such as a doctor blade or cleaning shower affects a web of material upstream from the nip. Each sensor generates a sensor signal upon entering the nip. A periodically occurring starting reference is generated that is associated with each oscillation of the oscillating component and the signal generated by each sensor is received so that a particular one of the sensors which generated the signal is determined and one of a plurality of tracking segments associated with the oscillating component is identified. The signal is stored to associate the sensor signal with the identified one tracking segment.

A coreless log of convolutely wound web material is formed by directing the web around an applicator roller that is in contact with a first surface of the web. An additive is transferred from a supply roller to the applicator roller over a first distance of the web and stopped over a second distance of the web. The web is directed around at least one further roller that is in contact with the second surface of the web that is opposite the first surface. The web is then wound around an elongated mandrel. The first distance of the web comprises a first set of windings nearest the center of the log, and the second distance of the web comprises a second set of windings wound around and extending radially outward from the first set of windings. The mandrel may then be removed to form the coreless log.