Air cushion inflation machine

A machine comprising:

• an inflation arrangement configured to:
• receive a first web of a first type of inflatable material and a second web of a second type of the inflatable material,
• align the first and second webs on the machine,
• provide air at a first pressure to the first web to inflate the first type of inflatable material, and
• provide air at a second pressure to the second web to inflate the second type of the inflatable material, wherein the first pressure is different from the second pressure;
• a sealing arrangement configured to seal the first type of inflatable material and the second type of inflatable material to create two different types of inflated cushioning material;
• and
• a tensioning device switchable between a first position and a second position, wherein:
• the tensioning device provides a first tensioning force to the first web as the first web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement when the tensioning device is in the first position,
• the tensioning device provides a second tensioning force to the second web as the second web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement when the tensioning device is in the second position, and
• the first tensioning force is different from the second tensioning force.

A method of converting two different types of webs of inflatable material to two different types of inflated cushioning material, the method comprising:

• moving a first web of a first type of inflatable material along a path of travel;
• providing air at a first air pressure to the first type of inflatable material;
• sealing the first web to form a first type of inflated cushioning material of the two different types of inflated cushioning material;
• applying a first tensioning force to the first web with a tensioning device;
• moving a second web of a second type of inflatable material along the path of travel;
• providing air at a second air pressure to the second type of inflatable material, wherein the first air pressure is different from the second air pressure;
• applying a second tensioning force to the second web with the tensioning device, wherein the first tensioning force is different from the second tensioning force;
• and
• sealing the second web to form a second type of inflated cushioning material of the two different types of inflated cushioning material.