Apparatus and method for controlling the unwinding of a web

An apparatus for controlling the unwinding of a web that is wound on a core forming a roll having a roll length comprising:

• a turnbar;
• an actuator;
• a sensor;
• and
• a controller;
• wherein the turnbar is configured to receive the web unwound from the core such that a portion of the web unwound from the core and disposed between the core and the turnbar provides an incoming web and a portion of the web after contacting the turnbar provides an outgoing web, the incoming web including an incoming web axis and the outgoing web including an outgoing web axis, the turnbar having an incoming web target location and an outgoing web target location;
• wherein the sensor is configured to measure a transverse placement of the incoming web relative to the incoming web target location and the sensor is capable of transmitting an input signal to the controller when the transverse placement of the incoming web differs from the incoming web target location;
• wherein the controller is configured to provide an output signal to the actuator based on the input signal;
• and
• wherein the actuator is coupled to the turnbar and is configured to receive the output signal from the controller and is configured to move the turnbar in response to the output signal such that the web maintains substantial alignment with the incoming web target location.

A method for controlling the unwinding of a web wound on

• a core comprising:
• providing a turnbar to receive the web unwound from the core, the turnbar having a target location;
• coupling the turnbar to an actuator, the actuator having an axis of movement that is substantially parallel to an axis of a portion of the web after the web contacts the turnbar;
• providing a sensor to measure a transverse placement of the web relative to the target location;
• transmitting a signal to the actuator based on measurements provided by the sensor when the transverse placement of the web differs from the target location;
• and
• moving the turnbar along the axis of movement based on the signal received by the actuator such that the web is substantially aligned with the target location
• wherein the sensor is coupled to the actuator such that the sensor moves with the turnbar.