Fluid flow web tension device for roll-to-roll processing

A web tension device comprising:

• a pressure source of pressurized fluid;
• a stationary housing;
• a translatable unit that is translatable into and out of a cavity of the housing, the translatable unit comprising an inlet that is connectable to the pressure source to enable the pressurized fluid to flow into the translatable unit, a distal end of the translatable unit comprising a tensioning surface with one or a plurality of tensioning pressure openings to enable outflow of the pressurized fluid to form a fluidic cushion, the fluidic cushion to apply a pushing force to a web in a roll-to-roll process;
• and
• one or a plurality of proximal pressure openings to enable outflow of the pressurized fluid into a gap between the housing and a proximal end of the translatable unit such that when a tension of the web is reduced, an outward force that is exerted on the proximal end by pressure of the fluid in the gap pushes the translatable unit outward to push the web outward until an inward force that is exerted on the translatable unit by the web balances the outward force, and when the tension of the web is increased, the inward force pushes the translatable unit inward until the inward force is balanced by the outward force.