Abstract: An intelligent wireless cross direction (CD) actuator includes a wireless radio transceiver, a controller and a memory section. The wireless radio transceiver is used for transmitting and receiving control and functional information to and from other intelligent wireless CD actuators. The controller is used for processing the received control and functional information and for outputting a control signal to an electrical or mechanical device based upon the received control and functional information. Control and functional information, the output signal, a unique communications identifier for each of the other intelligent wireless CD actuators, and its own unique communications identifier are stored in the memory section. Each actuator is assigned a unique identification. The unique identifier is used to route information to and from other intelligent wireless CD actuator. Each wireless CD actuator is capable of communication with all other intelligent wireless CD actuators within an actuator network.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling one or more properties of a sheet of material to be manufactured on a sheet-making machine is disclosed. Actuators to control the sheet properties are arrayed in the cross-direction of the machine. Properties data about one or more properties of the sheet of material are measured and both the magnitude of an actuator control action and the cross-direction shape of an actuator control action are controlled to minimize the variation of the measured properties data from a desired target for each of the one or more properties.