Winder vibration: Causes, defects, and remedies

Abstract

Web process machines employ various winder types depending on the web being wound. These winders have various rolling contacts between machine elements and the winding roll which give rise to complex vibration phenomena. Consequences of the vibration vary from wear of the machine elements and web material defects to wound rolls being thrown catastrophically from the winder. The type of the vibration excited is very much dependent on the web material properties. Hence, the remedies for vibration problems can differ depending on the web. Despite recent advances in reducing the vibration, roll vibration continues to be the major obstacle to increasing winding equipment speeds.

The web properties which contribute to vibration sensitivity are discussed as well as various mechanisms which can cause wound rolls to become out-of-round and compound vibration problems. When the basic dynamic features of the winding process are studied with elementary or more detailed mathematical models the influence of the damping enhancement of the winder components can be simulated. Some typical vibration types are described together with commercially available solutions.