Abstract: System and method for controlling the caliper of a web of material acted upon by one or more pressure rolls. The caliper is controlled by adjustment of the diameter of the roll, and the roll is locally heated and cooled by a combination of impingement, radiant and convective heat transfer.

Abstract: A cross-direction web dryer includes a support structure arranged transversely across the web of moving paper. The drying apparatus has as its main structural support a large diameter structural member which is pivotally mounted on two end supports so that the associated cantilevered heating or drying modules can be rotated away from the moving web when desired. The structural member also provides an electrical wireway or conduit for the power cables to the individual dryer modules. Individual heater modules are arranged so that the cooling air enters a built-in plenum where air pressures are equalized for effective cooling of the quartz lamp heaters in the modules.