The invention relates to a winding shaft (1) for receiving at least one winding core, said winding shaft having a shaft body (2) made of fiber-reinforced plastic, preferably CFRP, having two bearing points (4, 5) at each end of the winding shaft, having radially displaceable clamping elements (20) distributed over the circumference and over the axial length for clamping, holding and releasing the winding cores. The winding shaft is designed to hold winding cores having an inside diameter of a maximum of 80 mm.

A rewinding machine for convolutley winding a web material onto a core to is disclosed. The rewinding machine comprises a first winding drum rotatable at a first peripheral velocity, a second winding drum opposed to the first winding drum and rotatable at a second peripheral velocity, and a core support for gripping opposing ends of the core. The core support grips opposing ends of the core during winding of the web material about the core. The core support has first and second rotatable pins each having corresponding first and second ends capable of insertion into a respective end of the core. The first rotatable pin has a channel that provides fluid communication between a source of positive pressure disposed external to the first rotatable pin and the second end of the first rotatable pin to provide positive pressure to the interior portion of the core.

A fixing structure for fixing a reel is disclosed. The fixing structure includes a shaft having a first end having a first plurality of protrusions, and a second end having a second plurality of protrusions, wherein each of the first plurality of protrusions and one of its adjacent protrusions have a first recess therebetween, and each of the second plurality of protrusions and one of its adjacent protrusions have a second recess therebetween; and a supporting device, including a first supporting portion supporting the first end, and having a first protruding portion abutting the first recess; and a second supporting portion supporting the second end, and having a second protruding portion abutting the second recess.

A rewinding machine for convolutley winding a web material onto a core to is disclosed. The rewinding machine comprises a first winding drum rotatable at a first peripheral velocity, a second winding drum opposed to the first winding drum and rotatable at a second peripheral velocity, and a core support for gripping opposing ends of the core. The core support grips opposing ends of the core during winding of the web material about the core. The core support has first and second rotatable pins each having corresponding first and second ends capable of insertion into a respective end of the core. The first rotatable pin has a channel that provides fluid communication between a source of positive pressure disposed external to the first rotatable pin and the second end of the first rotatable pin to provide positive pressure to the interior portion of the core.