Web transport assembly for transporting a web along a processing unit

A web transport assembly for transporting a web along a processing unit for processing the web, the web transport assembly comprising:

• a transport device arranged for moving the web in a transport direction through a transport path along the processing unit, the transport device being arranged downstream of the processing unit relative to the transport direction;
• and
• a friction-based tensioning device arranged upstream of the processing unit relative to the transport direction;
• wherein the friction-based tensioning device comprises a guiding surface for guiding the web towards the processing unit and a plurality of suction holes distributed over the guiding surface for providing a suction force to a contact side of the web, the plurality of suction holes being arranged in fluid communication to a suction source, which generates the suction force, wherein the guiding surface is configured to exert a friction force on the web in response to the suction force provided to the contact side of the web;
• and wherein the friction-based tensioning device is configured for controlling a tension of the web between the guiding surface and the transport device;
• a control unit operatively coupled to the suction source to control the friction force provided to the contact side of the web;
• a support plate for supporting the web at the processing unit, the support plate being configured for attracting the web to the support plate,
• wherein the control unit is configured to control the suction force at the guiding surface, such that a friction force provided to the web by the guiding surface exceeds a friction force provided to the web by the support plate.