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About unwinder and rewinder

Types of unwinder and rewinder

There are various types and functions of unwinders and rewinders.

  • Automatic roll unwinder: An automatic roll unwinder rewinds material from the roll onto another roll. It supports the automatic feeding of material and helps streamline the whole production process. An unwinder is vital to a production line where several processes need to be completed with high efficiency and accuracy.
  • Heavy-duty unwinder: A heavy-duty unwinder is designed to handle heavy rolls of material, while a compact unwinder is used for lighter rolls where space is limited. A leader table unwinder supports high-speed production lines. It feeds material at high speeds while maintaining tension control. A flywheel unwinder utilizes a flywheel for torque generation. It is mostly used in applications that need quick acceleration and deceleration.
  • Inline roll unwinder: An inline roll unwinder fits into a production line so that no sideway feeding is needed. It is beneficial to streamline material handling and processing steps. An unwinder with a separator is used any production line where catting or separating is needed. The separator will cut or separate the material according to specific requirements. A power-assisted roll unwinder has a motor-driven shaft. It provides better control and precision over the unwinding process.
  • Surface winders: Surface winders are often separated depending on the surface onto which or from which a material is being wound, typically referred to as 'flatbed,' 'roll-on/off,' or 'drum-style' winders. Industrial film rewinders are usually found in industries that deal with plastic, paper, or any other film production. These rewinders help wind the film onto a reel or spool, cutting the process time down to just a few seconds.

Specifications and maintenance of unwinder and rewinder

Specifications

  • Roll size:

    The unwinder/rewinder has a core diameter, outer diameter and width of the material that can be accommodated. For example, an unwinder might have a core diameter range of 3''- 6'', an outer diameter of 24'', and a width range of 24''- 48''; a rewinder might have a core diameter range of 3''- 6'', an outer diameter of 24''- 36'', and a width range of 24''- 60''. The specific size must depend on the machine itself.

  • Speed:

    Unwind/rewind speed refers to the rate at which the material is unwound or wound. Speed is usually measured in feet per minute (FPM) or meters per minute. The speed of the unwind/rewind can affect production efficiency and material handling.

  • Tension control:

    Unwinder and rewinder machines normally have tension control functions, which can adjust the pulling forces of the material when unwinding and rewinding. This control allows for more precise handling of materials and ensures that materials are not deformed or damaged.

  • Operating System:

    Unwinders and rewinders may adopt different operating systems, such as touch screens or buttons, to operate and control the machine. Operating systems may offer various functions and parameters for adjustment.

  • Drive method:

    The driving modes of unwinder and rewinder are different. Electric drives (e.g. AC motors, DC motors), pneumatic drives (e.g. pneumatic cylinders), and hydraulic drives (e.g. hydraulic motors or cylinders) can all be used to drive the machine to unwind or rewind materials.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance and care can ensure the performance and longevity of unwinder/rewinder machines. Here are some maintenance tips:

  • Clean :

    Regularly clean the surface of the unwinder/rewinder and remove dirt, dust, and adhesive residue with a clean rag and appropriate cleaning fluid. Pay attention to the parts that are easily overlooked, such as the tracks and edges.

  • Lubrication:

    Apply lubricant to the moving parts and bearings of the unwinder and rewinder periodically to keep them lubricated and ensure smooth operation.

  • Check fasteners:

    Check the fasteners, such as screws and nuts, of the unwinder/rewinder regularly to ensure that they are not loose or fall off. If found to be loose, re-tighten them to ensure stability and safety during operation.

  • Adjust tension:

    The tension of the material should be adjusted properly to avoid too tight or too loose, which may damage the machine or the material.

Scenarios of unwinder and rewinder

  • Label unwinder and rewinder in packaging

    For the label rewinder, there are multiple core lock options available, including a quick and easy to use one, two-inch core locks, multi-purposed three-inch core locks, four-inch core locks, and no core locks. It also has numerous leading-edge features, for instance, cam-lock fastenings, universal core locks, pressure-sensitive labels, etc.

  • Film unwinder and rewinder in packaging

    Film roll unwinder and rewinder allows any required film to be easily and quickly rewound onto an accurate core size or can be unwound from any size core. It is ideal for flexible plastic film packaging.

  • Sheet unwinder and rewinder in packaging

    Sheet unwinder and reel to reel rewinder provides a simple and practical solution to rewinding sheets of material into a roll, thus allowing easier storage. This kind of rewinder is mostly a vertical-mountable single spindle and can take all kinds of sheets of material.

  • Textile unwinder and rewinder in packaging

    Textile fabric unwinders and rewinder is a sophisticated machine known for its precision and ease of use when unwinding multiple kinds of material or textile fabrics such as PVC, PE, PU, and the likes. Alibaba.com is proud to offer several high-quality items from trusted suppliers and partners.

In addition to the specific rewinder types discussed above, many other kinds of unwinder and rewinder can be found when searching on Alibaba.com. For example, a reel shift is used to enter or exit a reel from a machine setup directly, while a conveyor shift is generally used to unwind a web material prior to it being processed or to rewind web material after it has been processed.

How to Choose Unwinder and Rewinders

With the extensive variety of unwinder machines available, narrowing down options by focusing on crucial features may be useful for helping purchasing decisions. The below attributes are important to consider when buying an unwinder or rewinder for any specific application.

  • Core Size and Diameter

    Always ensure the unwinder's or rewinder's core size and diameter will accommodate the stock being sourced or used. Measure the width, diameter, and core size of the material to be used to ensure the new machine will hold it.

  • Web Guiding Systems

    Consider whether an effective web guiding system is required in order to maintain alignment throughout the whole process or if manual repositioning will suffice. Machines with automatic guiding are preferable for high-volume production lines where consistent precision is necessary. However, manual controls may be adequate for lower-volume applications with less complicated materials.

  • Power Source

    Think about what power sources are convenient and functional for the facility. Does the machine need to use AC power, battery power, or be mechanically driven by another machine? Battery-operated motors are preferable when portability and mobility are the highest priorities. AC motors provide consistent power output. Gear-driven systems rely on another device's moving parts connected via a belt. Select a suitable power mechanism for the given circumstance.

  • Control Mechanism

    Decide what controlling parameters are important to consider when operating the unwinder or rewinder. Controls may include the tension, speed, and length of stock used. Look for the facility's desired type of control, whether it be a manual lever, buttons on an integrated digital display, or a PLC system that allows for programmable internal settings. A machine with tension and speed controlled by a PLC system will provide the most advanced and precise functions, but a simple tension control knob may suffice in certain lower-tech applications.

FAQ

Q1: Can rewinder machine handle multiple web materials at once?

A1: Generally, rewinder machines are designed to handle one web material at a time. However, with extra attachments, they may rewind multiple web materials simultaneously.

Q2: What are the weight capacities of unwinder and rewinder machines?

A2: Unwinder and rewinder machines' weight capacities differ significantly depending on model and design. Generally, they may have weight capacities ranging from a few kilograms to several hundreds or even thousands of kilograms.

Q3: Can unwinder and rewinder machines integrate with existing production lines?

A3: Yes, most unwinder and rewinder machines can integrate with existing production lines. However, consult with the manufacturer or supplier to ensure proper alignment and compatibility.

Q4: Can unwinder and rewinder machines operate automatically?

A4: Yes, many modern unwinder and rewinder machines have automatic features that allow them to operate automatically without constant supervision.