Abstract: An actuator system for maintaining high nip forces at a roller nip is disclosed. The actuator system includes a primary actuator for urging a roller into an engaged position at which the roller contributes to providing the high nip forces at the roller nip, the primary actuator being provided attached to a movable mounting structure, and a secondary actuator for maintaining the mounting structure in a locked position, and for releasing the mounting structure, and therefore the primary actuator, from the locked position in the event of a power loss to the secondary actuator.

Abstract: A load cell in accordance with the present invention comprises an insert defining a hub having a central opening dimensioned to receive a shaft. The insert is removably fixed to the shaft, and a cylindrical sleeve is configured and dimensioned to surround the insert. The sleeve is machined with interior notches. The insert is suspended and rotatably fixed within the sleeve by flanges which are integral with and project from the insert's hub into the sleeve's interior notches. The flanges are configured to respond with deformation to forces applied to the shaft, and strain gauges bonded to the flanges exhibit changes in resistance according to the degree of flange deformation.

Abstract: An apparatus for slitting a web moving along a path comprises a mounting block adapted to be fixed at a location adjacent to the web path. A guard assembly includes a guard plate secured to rod members projecting from the mounting block. A blade guide is mounted on and shiftable along the rod members, and at least one blade is carried by the blade guide. An actuator serves to shift the blade guide along the rod members between an extended position at which the blade projects in a slitting position beyond the guard plate and into the web path, and a retracted position at which the blade is withdrawn from its slitting position and from the web path to a position where it is shielded from exposure by the guard plate.

Abstract: A joint is provided for articulately interconnecting the adjacent ends of rail assemblies in a tenter frame. The rail assemblies are arranged consecutively along a guide path, and have parallel guide channels for the advancing and returning legs of continuous chains carrying the clamps that grip the edges of the webs being transversely stretched. The joint includes flexible bands arranged to define intermediate channels connecting the guide channels of the rail assemblies. The flexible bands are resiliently deflected in response to articulation of the rail assemblies to thereby arcuately configure the outer medicate channels.