Method and Apparatus for Winding Webbed Material with Mandrel Position Control

An apparatus for winding a moving web upon a mandrel comprising;

• a conveying surface for conveying a moving web;
• a mandrel, the mandrel being adapted to receive the moving web at a specific circumferential location on the mandrel, the mandrel further including a reference input to identify the specific circumferential location;
• a position sensor to determine the position of the reference input;
• and
• a position drive control to control the rotational speed of the mandrel.

A process for producing a rolled product comprising:

• conveying a moving web having a leading edge;
• providing a mandrel, the mandrel being adapted to adhere the moving web at a specific circumferential location on the mandrel;
• engaging the mandrel with a position drive control to control the rotational speed of the mandrel;
• setting the rotational speed of the mandrel to allow transfer of the leading edge of the moving web near the specific circumferential location;
• transferring the moving web to the mandrel near the specific circumferential location;
• winding the moving web on the mandrel into a rolled product;
• cutting the moving web to complete the rolled product;
• and
• stripping the rolled product from the mandrel.