Abstract: A covered roll is disclosed. Under an exemplary embodiment, the covered roll includes a roll core base, an under-layer formed of densely packed fibers and a covering layer. The under-layer, which may include straight and directionally oriented fibers, is infused with a thermoset resin and circumferentially surrounds the roll core base. The covering layer, which may be formed of a rubber, urethane, thermoset resin or other plastics, circumferentially surrounds the under-layer. The resin infused under-layer provides improved strength to the resulting covered roll and improves adhesion between the covering layer and the metal roll core.

Abstract: A covered roll for use in calendaring web sheets, the cover roll including a metal roll core base substantially cylindrical in shape and arranged for rotation during use, the roll core base having an outer surface. An adhesive layer is disposed over and secured to the outer surface of the roll core base. A cover is formed of a thermoplastic material, the cover having a thermoset resin infused reinforcement fiber layer, the fiber layer circumferentially surrounding and secured to the adhesive layer, whereby the cover is bound to the rotatable roll core base.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for producing a covered roll having a reinforcement fiber mat under layer infused with low viscosity thermoset resin and a smooth high temperature, high performance polymeric outer layer. The mat is formed of a plurality of layers, each layer having a leading edge that abuts a following edge when wrapped over the roll core, each subsequent layer being affixed to the previous layer along a seam, the seams being spaced apart angularly from one another to prevent irregularities over the surface of the resulting roll core. One or more layers of the dry reinforcement fiber mat may be formed of a two-ply construction, the first ply having fibers arranged in a random pattern, the second ply having aligned fibers oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the roll core central axis. The invention also includes an improved mold tape assembly for use in applying a polymeric cover over a roll core and an inventive apparatus for fabricating the mold tape assembly.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for producing a covered roll having a reinforcement fiber mat under layer infused with low viscosity thermoset resin and a smooth high temperature, high performance polymeric outer layer. The mat is formed of a plurality of layers, each layer having a leading edge that abuts a following edge when wrapped over the roll core, each subsequent layer being affixed to the previous layer along a seam, the seams being spaced apart angularly from one another to prevent irregularities over the surface of the resulting roll core. One or more layers of the dry reinforcement fiber mat may be formed of a two-ply construction, the first ply having fibers arranged in a random pattern, the second ply having aligned fibers oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the roll core central axis. The invention also includes an improved mold tape assembly for use in applying a polymeric cover over a roll core and an inventive apparatus for fabricating the mold tape assembly.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a covered roll having a multi-layered construction. A first embodiment includes a plurality of steps. The first step is to provide a cylindrical roll core having two ends, a length therebetween, and an outer surface. Next, a dry fiber mat layer is tightly wrapped over the roll core outer surface. A fabric, in the form of a strip, is impregnated with a thermoset resin such as epoxy or urethane. The roll core is then rotated and the thermoset resin impregnated fabric strip is helically wound over the tightly wrapped dry fiber mat layer. Tension is maintained while winding the thermoset resin impregnated fabric strip to form a fabric layer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering a roll core with a polymeric material, preferably a high performance thermoplastic material, is disclosed. The method includes first providing a cylindrical roll core having two ends, a length, and an outer surface. A spacer assembly is attached proximate one end of the roll core, the spacer assembly having a circumference greater than that of the roll core. After preheating to a desired temperature, the roll core is then placed within an apparatus in a substantially vertical orientation and held therein by suitable fixtures, e.g., opposed universal chucks. A length of mold tape is helically wound over the length of the roll core in a spaced-apart relationship therewith to define an application zone between the mold tape and the roll core outer surface. A filament formed of the polymeric material is extruded within the application zone and helically wound over the roll core outer surface so that the roll core is covered with the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering a roll core with a polymeric material, preferably a high performance thermoplastic material, is disclosed. The method includes first providing a cylindrical roll core having two ends, a length, and an outer surface. A spacer assembly is attached proximate one end of the roll core, the spacer assembly having a circumference greater than that of the roll core. After preheating to a desired temperature, the roll core is then placed within an apparatus in a substantially vertical orientation and held therein by suitable fixtures, e.g., opposed universal chucks. A length of mold tape is helically wound over the length of the roll core in a spaced-apart relationship therewith to define an application zone between the mold tape and the roll core outer surface. A filament formed of the polymeric material is extruded within the application zone and helically wound over the roll core outer surface so that the roll core is covered with the material.