Web Tamer®

Using a dual cantilevered design, the Web Tamer® ensures even tension across the full width of the web. Even tension allows even heat distribution and even starch application.

Double E realizes that corrugators are continually hampered by warping, twisting, and blistering of board. These problems are most often caused by slack, or baggy edges, on one or both sides of the web. When baggy edges are present prior to the conditioning roll, it is impossible to achieve even heat distribution across the web. Uneven heat means poor starch application, poor adhesion, and unacceptable board quality.

Baggy edges are usually caused by moisture, caliper inconsistency, and machine misalignment. Because it is impossible to eliminate these factors, Double E designed a system which would compensate for them. The Web Tamer® is a cross-web tension control system that automatically and independently eliminates slack from either or both edges of a web at the critical point in the web’s path – just before the conditioning roll. The design uses gravity in a dual cantilever configuration to smooth out “untamed” web. The system eliminates the need for costly pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical connections, simplifies installation, and virtually eliminates maintenance.

While a traditional idler roller can only be adjusted to control tension on one side of the web (and possibly causing tension problems on the other), the Web Tamer® uses two cantilevered roller assemblies which act independently on each side of the web. The rollers automatically adjust to changing conditions and wrap angles without the need for sensor input. Since the Web Tamer® automatically compensates for tension variations, it creates even tension across the full web width and forces the web to lay flat on the conditioning roll for uniform heat distribution. This process allows for consistent paper contact with the conditioning roll.

The Web Tamer® consists of two vertical supports, two pivot arm/roller assemblies, and an idler roller. The system is easy to install, and requires very little, if any, maintenance. The two vertical supports bolt to the bridge channel and hold the idler roller in place. The pivot arms and roller assemblies hang from the roller’s axle, and are balanced with counterweights which can be adjusted to accommodate varying degrees of tension control problems. Either or both of the roller assemblies can be locked in an up-right position when they aren’t needed.