A web handling system is disclosed. The web handling system includes a roller wheel including two or more rollers configured to engage a print medium, a motor to rotate the roller wheel and a controller to transmit a signal to the motor indicating which of the two or more rollers are to engage the print medium.

A non-contact web guide includes a wall having a curved exterior surface and a hollow interior containing a pressurized liquid. A first row of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide entry position, second and third rows of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide exit position, and an intermediate array of liquid ejection holes is provided between the first and second rows. A total number of liquid ejection holes in the intermediate array is less than a total number of liquid ejection holes in the second row. This configuration of ejection boles provides the advantage that stable web guidance is achieved at low liquid flow rates.

A deflector roll, which changes a travelling direction of a metal strip being threaded, includes a roll main body that is rotatably supported by a roll frame and a sliding member that is provided on an outer surface of the roll main body. The sliding member is configured to have the metal strip wrapped thereon and to be movable along an axial direction of the roll main body while maintaining that wrapped state.

A non-contact web guide includes a wall having a curved exterior surface and a hollow interior containing a pressurized liquid. A first row of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide entry position having axes that are inclined toward a downstream direction, and a second row of liquid ejection holes is provided in proximity to the web guide exit position having axes that are inclined toward an upstream direction. An intermediate array of liquid ejection holes is optionally provided. The pressurized liquid flows through the liquid ejection holes to force the web of media away from the bearing surface of the web guide. This configuration of liquid ejection holes provides the advantage that stable web guidance is achieved at low liquid flow rates.

An apparatus for producing a roll of waxed fabric is provided, the apparatus comprising: a frame; a temperature controlled bath at an entrance end of the frame; a squeegee pressed against an exit side of the temperature controlled bath; a cooling tower adjacent the temperature controlled bath, the cooling tower including walls and a manifold to define a cooling zone, the manifold for delivering a flow of air to the cooling zone, a tower roller rotatably mounted above the cooling zone and a lower roller rotatably mounted proximate an exit side of the cooling tower; a blower for delivering air to the manifold; a collection roller rotatably mounted adjacent the alignment roller; a driver roller in rolling engagement with the collection roller; and a motor in mechanical communication with the driver motor for driving the driver motor. A method of producing a roll of waxed fabric is also provided.

A method of selecting a radius of curvature for a conveying structure (22) of a continuous glass processing apparatus for processing a flexible glass ribbon (20) having a thickness of no more than about 0.3 mm is provided. The method includes identifying a thickness of the flexible glass ribbon (20). A predetermined bending stress level is selected that is suitable for the flexible glass ribbon (20) during the processing of the flexible glass ribbon. A radius (R) of curvature is selected for a conveying structure that is suitable for conveying the flexible glass ribbon (20) during the processing of the flexible glass ribbon through the glass processing apparatus based on the predetermined bending stress and at least one of web deflection angle and line tension. The glass processing apparatus is provided including the conveying structure.

An apparatus (un-interleaver) for unwinding a roll of material interleaved with another material, and for separating the materials, includes a first platform, a second platform, a tension-sensor, an edge-sensor, and a controller. The controller monitors signals generated by the tension sensor and the edge sensor, and in response to the signals: a) causes the speed at which the second platform rotates to change to maintain a predetermined tension in the second material as the second material travels from the first platform toward the second platform, and b) causes the second platform to move relative to the first platform to align the edge of the second material traveling toward the roll of second material with the edge of the second material in the roll.

An apparatus (un-interleaver) for unwinding a roll of material interleaved with another material, and for separating the materials, includes a first platform, a second platform, a tension-sensor, an edge-sensor, and a controller. The controller monitors signals generated by the tension sensor and the edge sensor, and in response to the signals: a) causes the speed at which the second platform rotates to change to maintain a predetermined tension in the second material as the second material travels from the first platform toward the second platform, and b) causes the second platform to move relative to the first platform to align the edge of the second material traveling toward the roll of second material with the edge of the second material in the roll.

In one example, a printed output inspection unit (300) for a web printing system (100). The inspection unit has a first L-inverter (310) disposed in a first plane (315), and a second L-inverter (320) disposed in a second plane (325) offset from the first plane in a direction orthogonal to the first plane. The inspection unit (300) also has an inspection area (340,350) between the first and second L-inverters to view a side (307,309) of a web substrate (305), the inspection area extending in the direction orthogonal to the first plane.

In one example, a printed output inspection unit (300) for a web printing system (100). The inspection unit has a first L-inverter (310) disposed in a first plane (315), and a second L-inverter (320) disposed in a second plane (325) offset from the first plane in a direction orthogonal to the first plane. The inspection unit (300) also has an inspection area (340,350) between the first and second L-inverters to view a side (307,309) of a web substrate (305), the inspection area extending in the direction orthogonal to the first plane.