Lateral Steering of the Web in a Differentially Loaded Nip of Rubber Covered Rollers

Abstract

An unevenly loaded nip of rubber covered rollers can induce lateral deflection of the web. Closed form algorithms which relate the (i) applied nip force to rubber cover indentations and (ii) tangential strains on rubber cover to force/indentations were verified. The algorithm which best predicted the experimental data in each case was chosen. The theoretical web deflection was determined using these algorithms as inputs and was compared with the experimental data. A new expression for compression modulus of rubber, developed by Good was used. K.L.Johnson's algorithm for force vs. indentation, modified with the new compression modulus yielded best results for the roller and load ranges in the experiments. Good's algorithm for tangential strain in the rubber cover was found to be the "best". Shelton's expression for lateral deflection of the web yielded best results with Johnson's modified algorithm for force vs. indentation and Good's algorithm for tangential strain as inputs.