Methods and apparatus for engaging web-material cores

A stencil printer comprising:

• a stencil;
• a material applicator to apply material on the stencil;
• a supply roller configured to receive a roll of web-material, the supply roller being selectively configured to comprise a first shaft having a cylindrical outer surface and selectively configured to have at least one slot formed therein and at least one recess formed in the at least one slot;
• a take-up roller to receive used web-material, the take-up roller being selectively configured to comprise a second shaft having a cylindrical outer surface and selectively configured to have at least one slot formed therein and at least one recess formed in the at least one slot;
• at least one spring-loaded protrusion element associated with one of the first shaft and the second shaft, the at least one spring-loaded protrusion element having a spur disposed in the at least one slot, a compression coil spring disposed in the at least one recess, and a collar to couple the spur to one of the first shaft and the second shaft, the spur including an engaging portion, a taper portion, an end locking portion captured by the collar, and a base configured to be seated within the at least one slot, the engaging portion of the spur of the at least one spring-loaded protrusion element being configured and arranged to resiliently engage at least one web-material core around which web-material may be disposed in such a manner that the engaging portion of the spur is configured to rotate in a first direction to increase a force exerted to resiliently engage the web-material core when the at least one of the first shaft and the second shaft is rotated in at least one second direction;
• a drive configured to move web-material across the stencil between the supply roller and the take-up roller;
• and
• a frame to support the supply roller, the take-up roller and the drive.