Advantages of inertial roll alignment technology in estimating web handling issues

Abstract

Roll alignment plays a crucial part in eliminating web handling issues in manufacturing processes. Web handling issues due to roll misalignment includes tracking, tension control, uneven material gauge, and in some cases, misalignment alters the molecular properties of the material being produced.

While the pace of the manufacturing industry has evolved, with machines today running faster than ever, commonly used roll alignment methods such as such as theodolites and transits has not change much. Such systems inherently contain errors as well as geometrical limitations in measuring rolls in machinery of various configurations. A few of these issues were addressed by the newer laser alignment devices but these systems still need to be set up roll by roll with a line of sight, therefore consuming valuable time.

These issues are addressed with the invention of the inertial roll alignment method. The inertial roll alignment device eliminates geometrical limitations due to its highly engineered and compact design. The device does not require a line of sight because it has three ring laser gyroscopes that measure the x-y-z positions (or roll, pitch and yaw) of a roll in space. The inertial roll alignment method eliminates errors that are present in the other methods. The advantages of inertial roll alignment device are in terms of higher accuracy, precision, speed of data collection, compactness, and no line of sight needed. If rolls in machinery are aligned with the inertial roll alignment device, manufacturing processes would expect less web handling issues.