Method and apparatus for guiding a web of paper or board web during manufacture

A method for guiding a moving web of paper or board in at least one of a paper machine and paper finishing equipment in which the web is guided by guiding elements, comprising:

• positioning a primary electrode at a position being one of proximate to and in contact with a first surface of the web;
• positioning a secondary electrode at a position being one of proximate to or in contact with a second surface of the web;
• and
• generating an electric potential between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode to form an electric field between said electrodes sufficient to attract the web toward one of the electrodes, wherein a polarity of the primary electrode and the secondary electrode is altered to change a direction of the electric field generated between the electrodes.

An apparatus for on-line guidance a moving web of paper or board in at least one of a paper machine and paper finishing equipment in which the web is guided by guiding elements, comprising:

• a primary electrode at a position being one of proximate to and in contact with a first surface of the web;
• a secondary electrode at a position being one of proximate to or in contact with a second surface of the web;
• and
• a means electrically connected to said primary electrode and said secondary electrode for generating an electric potential between said primary electrode and said secondary electrode to form an electric field between said electrodes sufficient to attract the web passing between said electrodes toward one of said electrodes, wherein the primary and secondary electrodes are positioned to guide the web through a gap between a first web guide element and a second web guide element, and wherein at least one of said first guide element and said second guide element comprises an endless belt.