Research

Research problems pursued are fundamental and generic - and not specific to a particular material. Emphasis is on the following:

• Mathematical model development for web handling "primitives" based on first principles
• Experimental parameter identification and model validation
• Computer modeling and simulation

Fundamental and generic research studies are conducted in the following areas:

• Mechanics of winding and unwinding
• Longitudinal dynamics and tension control
• Lateral dynamics and control; guiding and tracking
• Out-of-plane dynamics
• Wrinkling
• Air films between webs and rollers
• Aerodynamic effects in transport
• Measurement of tension, wound roll properties, and physical properties
• Precision Lateral and Longitudinal Registration for Roll-to-Roll Manufacturing

Materials considered in these research studies include plastic films, papers of all types, thin metals, and composites.

Specialized WHRC facilities include the winding/wrinkling laboratory, the web transport laboratory, the high-speed low-tension web line laboratory, the precision registration web line laboratory,and the high speed web line laboratory.