A handling bar for laminated or film supports, such as paper, is disclosed, including a hollow tubular body provided with an inner cavity and an outer side surface, a plurality of through holes, arranged on the tubular body to put the inner cavity in contact with the outer side surface. The handling bar also includes at least one connection to a compressed air source or a suction device, where the connection is shaped for the inflow of compressed air or to suction air into the cavity and at least one filtering element arranged inside the tubular body where at least at one portion of the holes filters the air passing between the inner cavity and the holes.

A method for stripping a winding mandrel from a roll formed by wrapping a web around the winding mandrel includes the following phases: to support the formed roll so that an end of the respective winding mandrel is adjacent to a gripping and rotating means for the winding mandrel; to connect the gripping and rotating means to the end of the winding mandrel and through this means place the winding mandrel in axial rotation; and to apply, by means of a translation means, an axial force to the gripping and rotating means and to the mandrel and, according with the axial force, translate this mandrel by sliding it off the formed roll.

Methods and apparatus for transporting a flexible substrate are provided. In one embodiment, an air turn is disclosed that includes a body, a porous cover disposed about a circumference of the body, and two seals. Each of the two seals are positioned about the circumference of the body and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the body to define a central zone bounded by a second zone and by a third zone. The second zone and third zone are each positioned outside of a respective seal. The body includes a first opening formed along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a plurality of second openings formed in the body at a position other than along the longitudinal axis.

Methods and apparatus for transporting a flexible substrate are provided. In one embodiment, an air turn is disclosed that includes a body, a porous cover disposed about a circumference of the body, and two seals. Each of the two seals are positioned about the circumference of the body and spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the body to define a central zone bounded by a second zone and by a third zone. The second zone and third zone are each positioned outside of a respective seal. The body includes a first opening formed along a longitudinal axis of the body, and a plurality of second openings formed in the body at a position other than along the longitudinal axis.

In order to provide web handling which mitigates marking of the web, externally-pressurized porous media gas bearings are used for vacuum rollers, which provide differential tension, and also for air turns, which provide non-contact turning of webs. The porous media gas bearings mitigate three of the biggest issues with the current technology, including cost, high flow rates and low pressure, and web marking. By introducing positive pressure or both, various configurations are presented which allow for improved differential tension, or non-contact conveyance. By also employing externally-pressurized radial bearings, more alternatives are provided, including conveyance and lateral motion of webs without the use of motors. Lastly, employing novel lightweight materials allows for yet other configurations which also employ some of the same aforementioned benefits.