Control for parent roll unwinding apparatus and methods

A control system for a converting line, wherein the converting line has an unwinder for unwinding web material from a roll of web material and at least one independently driven roll for directing the web material unwound from the unwinder to the converting line, the control system comprising:

• a controller;
• and
• a tension sensor adapted and configured to be arranged downstream of the at least one driven roll, the tension sensor being adapted and configured to sense a tension in the web as the web is passed downstream of the at least one driven roll, the tension sensor being configured to generate a signal indicative of sensed web tension and transmit the signal of sensed web tension to the controller;
• wherein the controller is configured to a generate and transmit to the unwinder a signal to change the speed of the unwinder based upon the tension sensed by the tension sensor.