Apparatus and method for measuring and regulating web tension in a former section of a folding machine for a printing press

A method for measuring and displaying web tension over a former board in a folding machine for a printing press comprising the steps of:

• feeding a web over a former board coupled in the proximity of a first end to a frame and in the proximity of second end to a first end of a former board angle adjusting rod being coupled to the frame;
• drawing the web through nip rollers;
• transducing, with a sensor, a mechanical load on the former board angle adjusting rod as the web is drawn over the former board, the mechanical load being imparted by a tension in the web and proportional to a compressive force imparted to the former board by the web as it is drawn over the former board, folded, and then drawn through the nip rollers;
• and
• transmitting a load signal proportional to the mechanical load via a transmission medium from the sensor to a visual display device.

A method for measuring and controlling web tension over a former board in a folding machine for a printing press comprising the steps of:

• feeding a web over a former board coupled in the proximity of a first end to a frame and in the proximity of a second end to a first end of a former board angle adjusting rod, a second end of the former board angle adjusting rod being coupled to the frame;
• drawing the web through nip rollers;
• transducing, with a sensor, a mechanical load on the former board angle adjusting rod as the web is drawn over the former board, the mechanical load being imparted by a tension in the web and proportional to a compressive force imparted to the former board by the web as it is drawn over the former board, folded, and then drawn through the nip rollers;
• transmitting a load signal proportional to the mechanical load via a first transmission medium from the sensor to an information processing device;
• computing with the information processing device one or more control signals as a function of the load signal;
• transmitting via at least a second transmission medium the one or more control signals to one or more actuators;
• and
• actuating the one or more actuators in response to the receipt of the one or more control signals.