Apparatus and methods for web tension control are provided. In an example, an apparatus can include a tension beam configured to deflect in a predictive manner when under a force load, a first shaft directly coupled to the tension beam and configured to mechanically interface with a torque device, a second shaft directly coupled to the tension beam opposite the first shaft and configured to interface with a structural member of a web machine, and a strain gauge coupled to the tension beam and configured to provide an electrical representation of the force load.

A vehicle-mounted reel utility. A brake wheel is macro-positioned to a non-contact position adjacent to the reel by sliding along a reel-supporting lifting arm. An actuator pivots the brake bracket bringing the wheel into a contact position with the reel. A cable dispenser for figure 8'ing the cable is mounted to the free end of a positioning arm that rotates from a position parallel to a lifting arm to a position perpendicular to the lifting arm. The dispenser is pivotally mounted to the positioning arm, allowing the user to swivel the dispenser about a horizontal arc while maintaining the dispenser in a central lateral position relative to a reel or a vehicle during the swivel movement. A hydraulic circuit controls the dispenser and the actuator that controls the brake wheel from a contact to non-contact position, to coordinate the stopping of cable dispensing.

An arm for an unwinder for unwinding rolls is disclosed. The arm includes an axial engaging member for engaging the rolls. The axial engaging member has a shaft supported by at least two support bearings mounted on the arm, so as to rotate around a rotation axis. A brake is also provided, adapted to act on the shaft. The brake is at least partially arranged between the two support bearings.

A braking system for a hose or cable reel including a housing configured to fit inside a drum of the reel and to rotate with the drum during use, and a gerotor including inner and outer gears disposed inside the housing, wherein the inner gear is attachable to a shaft of the reel and the outer gear is configured to rotate relative to the inner gear with the housing during use thereby causing hydraulic fluid to be pumped through the gerotor and impede rotation of the drum.

An arm (5; 5A, 5B) for an unwinder (1) for unwinding rolls (B) is disclosed. The arm includes an axial engaging member (11) for engaging the rolls (B). The axial engaging member (11) has a shaft (11.3) supported by at least two support bearings (15, 17) mounted on the arm (5; 5A, 5B), so as to rotate around a rotation axis (A-A). A brake (23) is also provided, adapted to act on the shaft (11.3). The brake (23) is at least partially arranged between the two support bearings (15, 17).

A braking system for a hose or cable reel comprising a housing configured to fit inside a dmm of the reel and to rotate with the drum during use, and a gerotor comprising inner and outer gears disposed inside the housing, wherein the inner gear is attachable to a shaft of the reel and the outer gear is configured to rotate relative to the inner gear with the housing during use thereby causing hydraulic fluid to be pumped through the gerotor and impede rotation of the drum.

A vehicle-mounted reel utility. A brake wheel is macro-positioned to a non-contact position adjacent to the reel by sliding along a reel-supporting lifting arm. An actuator pivots the brake bracket bringing the wheel into a contact position with the reel. A cable dispenser for figure 8'ing the cable is mounted to the free end of a positioning arm that rotates from a position parallel to a lifting arm to a position perpendicular to the lifting arm. The dispenser is pivotally mounted to the positioning arm, allowing the user to swivel the dispenser about a horizontal arc while maintaining the dispenser in a central lateral position relative to a reel or a vehicle during the swivel movement. A hydraulic circuit controls the dispenser and the actuator that controls the brake wheel from a contact to non-contact position, to coordinate the stopping of cable dispensing.

A vehicle-mounted reel utility with a cable dispenser. The cable dispenser has a swivel-aiming feature for figure 8'ing the cable. The cable dispenser is mounted to a swivel mount located at a free end of a positioning arm. The cable dispenser rotates about a pivot end of the positioning arm from a position parallel to a lifting arm to a position perpendicular to the lifting arm, and vice versa. The cable dispenser is also pivotally mounted to the swivel mount, allowing the user to swivel the cable dispenser about a horizontal arc while maintaining the cable dispenser in a central lateral position relative to a reel or a vehicle during the swivel movement. A hydraulic circuit controls the cable dispenser and an actuator that controls movement of a brake wheel from a contact to non-contact position, to coordinate the stopping of the reel and cable dispensing by the cable dispenser.

A vehicle-mounted reel utility with a cable dispenser. The cable dispenser has a swivel-aiming feature for figure 8'ing the cable. The cable dispenser is mounted to a swivel mount located at a free end of a positioning arm. The cable dispenser rotates about a pivot end of the positioning arm from a position parallel to a lifting arm to a position perpendicular to the lifting arm, and vice versa. The cable dispenser is also pivotally mounted to the swivel mount, allowing the user to swivel the cable dispenser about a horizontal arc while maintaining the cable dispenser in a central lateral position relative to a reel or a vehicle during the swivel movement. A hydraulic circuit controls the cable dispenser and an actuator that controls movement of a brake wheel from a contact to non-contact position, to coordinate the stopping of the reel and cable dispensing by the cable dispenser.

A method of use for a vehicle-mounted reel utility with a cable dispenser. The cable dispenser has a swivel-aiming feature for figure 8'ing the cable. The cable dispenser is mounted to a swivel mount in a vertical axis located at a free end of a positioning arm. The swivel mount allows the user to swivel the cable dispenser about the vertical axis while maintaining the cable dispenser in a central lateral position relative to a reel or a vehicle during the swivel action.