Abstract: The system includes a light source that emits light onto a web and objects that are on the web. The system further includes a lens that has a radial index of refraction gradient. The lens is positioned such that the lens only captures light above a nominal level when light from the light source is reflected by the objects and not the web. A sensor receives light from the lens and converts the light to a signal. The method includes directing light onto the objects and the web using a light source. The method further includes positioning a lens that has a radial index of refraction gradient relative to the web and the light source such that the lens only captures light above a nominal level when the light from the light source is reflected by the objects. The method further includes focusing the captured light on a sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the width of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting the tension of the web material. An operator defines a target web width via an input device. The input device generates a reference signal representative of the target web width. A sensing device senses the width of the web material supplied to the machine and generate feedback signal representative of the sensed width. A control circuit compares the feedback and reference signals and generates a tensioning signal as a function of the comparison. A tensioning device is responsive to tensioning signal for adjusting web tension.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the width of a web material supplied to a machine by adjusting the tension of the web material. An operator defines a target web width via an input device. The input device generates a reference signal representative of the target web width. A sensing device senses the width of the web material supplied to the machine and generates a feedback signal representative of the sensed width. A control circuit compares the feedback and reference signals and generates a tensioning signal as a function of the comparison. A tensioning device is responsive to tensioning signal for adjusting web tension.