Abstract: A surface drive winding apparatus for winding a material into a roll including a frame for supporting a plurality of drive rollers and a plurality of drive rollers in substantially parallel orientation and forming a material roll receiving area therebetween. At least one of the drive rollers is linearly movable away from the other drive roller responsive to changes in the diameter of the material roll as it is wound. A proximity sensing is disposed above the rollers at a position such that a vertical plane through the longitudinal centerline of the material roll moves towards the sensing device as the material roll grows in diameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for unwinding rolls of material such as fabric and the like including a frame and a generally V-shaped cradle pivotally attached to the frame for supporting the material to be unwound. The cradle includes first and second belt support structures for supporting multiple driven endless belts. The endless belts form the driving and support surface for the material roll to be unwound. The apparatus is pivotal between a loading portion and an unwind position.