According to an embodiment, a winding apparatus includes a winding core and an air flow controller. The winding core winds a belt-shaped structure comprising a substrate and an edge-coating part that covers an edge of a substrate in a width direction, the edge-coating part being coated with a material liquid on a surface of the substrate. The air flow controller has a nozzle that performs at least either ejection or suction of a gas, and adjusts an air flow in the vicinity of the edge-coating part of the film of the belt-shaped structure, which is wound by a winding core.

A roller for transporting a flexible substrate is described. The roller includes a main body having a plurality of gas supply slits provided in an outer surface of the main body. The plurality of gas supply slits extends in a direction of a central rotation axis of the roller. Further, the roller includes a sleeve provided circumferentially around and in contact with the main body. The sleeve has a plurality of gas outlets being provided above the plurality of gas supply slits. Further, the sleeve includes a metal layer embedded within isolating material.

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.

Digital printing device having a print media advancement system, and comprising: a sliding surface (3) of the print media, arranged at a printing area with above a printing module of the digital printing device; means for dragging (4) the print media, arranged downstream and/or upstream the printing area and arranged to make the print media advance in an advancement direction (x) above said sliding surface (3); wherein said sliding surface (3) comprises blowing portions (35) destined to realize an air cushion between sliding surface and print media (100). The sliding surface further comprises at least a suction portion (30), arranged to realise a depression by locally putting the print media near said sliding surface.

Digital printing device having a print media advancement system, and comprising: a sliding surface (3) of the print media, arranged at a printing area with above a printing module of the digital printing device; means for dragging (4) the print media, arranged downstream and/or upstream the printing area and arranged to make the print media advance in an advancement direction (x) above said sliding surface (3); wherein said sliding surface (3) comprises blowing portions (35) destined to realize an air cushion between sliding surface and print media (100). The sliding surface further comprises at least a suction portion (30), arranged to realise a depression by locally putting the print media near said sliding surface.

A system comprises a floatation table comprising a plurality of ports to flow gas sufficient to produce a gas bearing to float a substrate over the floatation table; a fluidic network coupled to supply gas to the plurality of ports of the floatation table; and a controller configured to control the fluidic network to independently control flows of gas through ports of the plurality of ports disposed in each of a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone of the floatation table. The first, second, and third zones are defined by sections of the floatation table extending parallel to a direction the substrate is conveyed along the floatation table. The first zone is defined by a central section of the floatation table disposed between two sections defining the second zone, and the first and second zones are disposed between two sections defining the third zone.

An apparatus for controlling cross curl in corners of sheets between in-line transports includes a curved baffle placed between the two transports. A thin layer of high velocity air is applied to the curved baffle only at lead edge corner regions of the sheets. The high velocity air layer, which will have a tendency to follow the curved baffle (Coanda effect), will divert corners of the sheets (Bernoulli effect) towards the curved baffle. By positioning a curved baffle between the two transports and by applying a uniform air stream to it, a lower pressure area will be created. This will flatten the corners of the sheets and ensure passage between downstream baffles and acquisition by a downstream transport.

An apparatus for controlling cross curl in corners of sheets between in-line transports includes a curved baffle placed between the two transports. A thin layer of high velocity air is applied to the curved baffle only at lead edge corner regions of the sheets. The high velocity air layer, which will have a tendency to follow the curved baffle (Coanda effect), will divert corners of the sheets (Bernoulli effect) towards the curved baffle. By positioning a curved baffle between the two transports and by applying a uniform air stream to it, a lower pressure area will be created. This will flatten the corners of the sheets and ensure passage between downstream baffles and acquisition by a downstream transport.

A method for producing building boards includes unwinding a facing sheet from a supply roll of facing sheet over top of a forming table that includes a series of nozzles. A volume of cementitious material is deposited from a slurry mixing device to the unwound facing sheet. Pressurized air is supplied from an air source to the series of nozzles, whereby a cushion of air is created between the unwound facing sheet and the forming table.

A device for overlapping sheets includes at least one blower box and a supply table. Multiple sheets are guided into a region of the blower box consecutively, in the same transport direction, and are arranged at a distance from one another on the supply table. A blower nozzle is arranged in the blower box, on the side thereof facing the supply table. A blowing direction of the blower nozzle is oriented and parallel to the supply table and against the transport direction of the sheets. The supply table is arranged below the blower box and multiple blower nozzles are arranged in the blower box, one after the other, in the transport direction of the sheets, on the side thereof facing the supply table. A respective blowing direction of the blower nozzles is oriented in parallel to the supply table, and against the transport direction of the sheets.