Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cutting refractory metals, in which a solid body (1) made of a refractory metal is mechanically machining cut with a cutting apparatus (4, 7), wherein the cutting apparatus (4, 7) is wetted for cutting with a fluid (6) having at least 50 weight % water, wherein the cutting apparatus (4, 7) is brought to a positive electrical potential in relation to the solid body (1) during cutting. The invention also relates to a disc produced from a refractory metal using such a method, and such a disc that has an oxide layer with a thickness of between 2 nm and 1,000 nm on the cutting surface.

Abstract: A mandrel for use in a printing apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical mandrel shaft and plastic expansion rings that are slidably and coaxially mounted on the mandrel shaft. The mandrel also includes a locking assembly including a fixed stop ring and a single locking ring that is axially movably mounted on the mandrel shaft. The expansion rings are positioned between the stop ring and the locking ring. In the unlocked position of the locking ring the expansion rings are in a released state in which the axial compression and the radial expansion of the expansion rings are smaller than in a locked position of the locking ring. A printing cylinder sleeve can be fixedly connected to the mandrel by bringing the expansion rings in the radially expanded state. When the printing cylinder sleeve has to be exchanged, this is feasible when the expansion rings are in the released state.

Abstract: A cable transport device having a pivotably mounted cable transporter, a first drive means connected in a stationary manner to a base frame and intended for achieving an exactly defined pivot movement of the cable transporter around a pivot axis and a second drive means for synchronous driving of at least two cooperating pressure rollers. The second drive means with a drive axle for the pressure rollers is connected in a stationary manner to the base frame, and the drive axle of the second drive means coincides with the pivot axis for the cable transporter. In additional versions, the second drive means with a drive axle for the pressure rollers is also connected in a stationary manner to the base frame, and the rollers' axes of rotation are parallel to one another and parallel to a common pitch axis.

Abstract: A roll-to-roll printing system includes driven rolls to apply a feeding force to a flexible substrate so that the flexible substrate is fed from an unwinder to a rewinder, nip rolls respectively disposed above two opposite end portions of each of the driven rolls to pressurize two opposite side portions of the flexible substrate, nip roll driving motors connected to the nip rolls to rotate the nip rolls, and a control unit to receive information regarding change of torque values of the nip roll driving motors and control tension of the flexible substrate based on the information.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing strip materials onto one or more moving substrates includes a frame extending transversally of the substrate path that supports guide arms. Each guide arm includes pulleys for dispensing strip materials and is able to be moved along the frame by a friction drive system, which includes crank shafts, pulleys, and cables. Each guide arm can be held in position by a friction braking system, which includes members that are pressed against components of the drive system to frictionally prevent motion. A position feedback system measures and displays the location of the guide arms. A substrate tracking and adjustment system tracks the position of the substrate as it moves side to side from a normal path and automatically adjusts the position of the frame along a guide track to maintain the guide arms in a desired position in relation to the substrate.

Abstract: A take-up machine is provided. Each of upper and lower conveying devices has an endless rotating body and a plurality of take-up pads provided on the surface of the endless rotating body. The take-up machine is configured to pinch a top face and a bottom face of a resin-molded article with the take-up pads of the upper and lower conveying devices to take up the resin-molded article. The take-up machine is installed along an extrusion line of a resin extruder. In a lateral direction orthogonal to an extrusion line, a length of each of the take-up pads is multiple times a length of the resin-molded article to be taken up. Each of the take-up pads has a plurality of supporting potions which are arranged in the lateral direction and capable of supporting resin-molded articles with different shapes. The upper and lower conveying devices are movable in the lateral direction so as to make one of the supporting portions coincide with the extrusion line.

Abstract: A folder superstructure is provided including a lead roll, a nip roll biasing the lead roll, and a frame supporting the lead roll and the nip roll. The frame is selectively movable between a first position where the lead roll and the nip roll act on a first web ribbon and a second position where the lead roll and the nip roll act on a second web ribbon. A method for folding printed webs is also provided.

Abstract: A micro device feeder is provided which is adjustable to accommodate micro devices supplied on tapes with different widths. A mounting plate has a movable drive plate slidably mounted thereto. An input mechanism on the movable drive plate receives micro devices contained in a tape and advances the tape under motor drive. A feeder width adjustment mechanism is interposed between the mounting plate and the movable drive plate for positioning of the movable drive plate relative to the mounting plate for accommodating tapes with different widths.

Abstract: A device for the transportation and chilling of a film tube extruded shortly before has at least one first pair of rollers, through the clearance between which rollers, the film tube enters into a chilling area, and a second pair of rollers, through the clearance between which rollers, the film tube leaves the chilling area. Thereby the film tube can discharge heat to its environment between the first and the second roller pair. The path length that the film traverses between the first roller pair and the second roller pair is variable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a buffer storage for a flat web material (2), having at least two roller registers (3, 4) comprising a plurality of freely rotating rollers (11, 12) and displaceable relative to each other at least in one axis direction radial to the axis of the rollers (11, 12), for forming variable partial lengths or loops of the flat web material (2) between the rollers (11, 12) of the roller register, having at least one piston-cylinder arrangement (8), the cylinder chamber (10) thereof being able to be acted upon by a compressible pressure medium, such as compressed air, and acting like a pressure or gas spring between the at least two roller registers (3, 4) for generating a web tension of the flat material (2) guided through the buffer storage, and having a control device for applying a constant or substantially constant operating pressure of the pressure medium to the at least one piston cylinder arrangement (8).

Abstract: This is a take-up roller assembly that is connected to paper exiting a scanner and collects this exiting paper. The take-up roller assembly is moved by movement of paper entering the scanner together with a paper pulling structure that is located in the scanner. This take-up roller assembly is uniquely suitable for use in a wide format imaging system that uses a scanner.

Abstract: A ladder type stage apparatus that transports a film-shaped substrate includes a plurality of rods whose longitudinal directions are aligned in a direction that is orthogonal to the moving direction of the film-shaped substrate in order to support the film-shaped substrate; chains that join the rods along a closed-loop trajectory; and a drive motor that moves the rods along this loop-shaped trajectory via the chains.

Abstract: The present invention provides two counter-rotating rollers having substantially parallel axes of rotation which are provided to grip the web(s) between them and to cause the web(s) to move along as a result of their rotation, each roller having two spaced cylindrical support surfaces each defining a zone for gripping the web(s) with a corresponding, opposing, support surface of the other roller. The rollers are displaceable relative to each other in the direction of the axes of rotation and a displacement of one of the rollers relative to the other in the direction of the axes of rotation modifies a distance between the gripping zones. A rotary press is also provided.

Abstract: A micro device feeder is provided which is adjustable to accommodate micro devices supplied on tapes with different widths. A mounting plate has a movable drive plate slidably mounted thereto. An input mechanism on the movable drive plate receives micro devices contained in a tape and advances the tape under motor drive. A feeder width adjustment mechanism is interposed between the mounting plate and the movable drive plate for positioning of the movable drive plate relative to the mounting plate for accommodating tapes with different widths.

Abstract: The tracked drive device particularly protected by its frame or hood as well as by protective plates, so as to prevent any accidental insertion of a finger or any other part of the human body between the track elements. The arrangement makes access to the track, for replacement or maintenance, particularly difficult. The invention provides a pivoting construction of the driving device, whereby the driving mechanisms become easily accessible, thus facilitating track change.

Abstract: Equipment for fabric guiding in a paper machine has a fabric (10) and rolls (12–18) adapted to support it. In connection with the roll (17) end there is arranged equipment comprising a stand (19) and a nip guard (26). The stand (19) includes a transfer base (20) as well as transfer equipment (22) for moving the transfer base (20). The equipment further comprises an edge detector (23) for the roll (17) arranged on the opposite side of the fabric (10), for which edge detector there is a vertical bracket (25) arranged in the stand (19). The vertical bracket (25) and the nip guard (26) form an integrated sheet-metal construction.

Abstract: A reversible angle bar device for a web printing press having a web with an entering web centerline has a support, a first angle bar portion angled with respect to the first entering web centerline on a first side of the entering web centerline, and a second angle bar portion angled with respect to the entering web centerline and being located on a second side of the entering web centerline opposite the first side, the first and second angle bar portions being fixed to the support. A moveable angle bar portion is selectively attachable to either the first angle bar portion or the second angle bar portion.

Abstract: Equipment for fabric guiding in a paper machine has a fabric (10) and rolls (12-18) adapted to support it. In connection with the roll (17) end there is arranged equipment comprising a stand (19) and a nip guard (26). The stand (19) includes a transfer base (20) as well as transfer equipment (22) for moving the transfer base (20). The equipment further comprises an edge detector (23) for the roll (17) arranged on the opposite side of the fabric (10), for which edge detector there is a vertical bracket (25) arranged in the stand (19). The vertical bracket (25) and the nip guard (26) form an integrated sheet-metal construction.

Abstract: A draw roller for pulling web-shaped material with at least one pull ring arranged on at least one part of the circumference of the roller. The at least one pull ring can be displaced on the draw roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a trench in a seabed for burying a line generally consisting of a main frame, at least one buoyancy tank mounted on the main frame, a pair of endless track assemblies, each engageable in gripping relation with a side of the line for propelling the frame along the line, a pair of jet legs mounted on the main frame and communicable with a source of fluid under pressure, for ejecting high velocity streams of fluid to dislodge portions of the seabed when the track assemblies grip the line and propel the main frame along the line to form a trench and allow the line to fall therein.

Abstract: A belt feed apparatus receives and feeds a continuous web of expanded graphite. The apparatus comprises a first pair of endless belts for receiving the web of expanded graphite therebetween, a drive motor operably connected to the first pair of belts for driving the first pair of belts at a drive speed, a controller for varying the drive speed, and a first load means for varying a friction force applied to the web by the first pair of belts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying and applying a strip component (11) such as a tire tread is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the strip component on a belt conveyer (16), determining a guideline (52) of the strip component (11) at an exit end (20) of the belt conveyor (16), and laterally adjusting the exist end (20) of the belt conveyor (16) to align the guideline (52) of the strip component (11) with a predetermined guideline such as the guideline of a tire building drum (12). The apparatus includes a belt support transverse housing (76) which is laterally moveable by a motion controller (64) in response to a sensor (58) which detects the guideline (52) of the strip component (11). Guides on the transverse housing (76) move the belts of the conveyor (16) on slider plates without physically touching the conveyed strip component (11), thereby preventing damage to the component material.

Abstract: A vibration friction feed wheel mechanism for feeding thread to a thread processing machine having intermittent thread requirement. The feed wheel mechanism including a high friction contact surface, a thread guide level for lifting thread off of the feed wheel and a vibration generating arrangement for applying a vibrational movement to the thread. The vibration of the thread ensures that the thread lifts-off from the contact surface of the friction feed wheel by reducing the coefficient of friction between the thread and the high friction contact surface of the friction wheel.

Abstract: In connection with a vibration friction feed wheel mechanism, having a thread guide lever for inserting and removing a thread, the application of vibrations to the thread guide elements, or the application of vibrations to the thread feed wheel, is used to improve the removal properties of the friction feed wheel mechanism.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly and method for conveying and storing a strip material in a conveyor system that is subject to changes in length of the strip material due to intermittent operation includes an upper conveyor (16), an adjustable substantially horizontal center conveyor (22) for receiving the strip material (34) from the upper conveyor, and a lower conveyor (28) for receiving the associated strip material from the center conveyor. A computer (94) controls the movement and rotation of the center conveyor, and loop detecting apparatus on the center conveyor may also detect a loop (90) in the strip material carried by the center conveyor and thereby detecting changes in length of the strip material not predetermined by the computer. A servomechanism (100) activated by signals from the computer or the loop detecting apparatus moves the center conveyor in a substantially horizontal direction.

Abstract: In a yarn feeder used in a jacquard knitting machine, each yarn tension bracket includes a casing covered with a cover plate, a pivot shaft supported on bearings between the casing and the cover plate, a yarn tension rocker formed of two wire rods respectively fastened to two opposite round pins at two opposite ends of the pivot shaft outside the casing and the cover plate and turned with the pivot shaft to adjust the tension of yarns passing through upper and lower thread eyes at the wire rods, and an auxiliary yarn guide with upper and lower thread eyes fastened to the casing and the cover plate to guide two yarns passing through the upper and lower thread eyes at the yarn tension rocker and to prevent the yarns from being tangled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the wear of the belt mantle of an extended-nip roll including a resilient belt mantle arranged to revolve on support of bearings around a stationary central axle. The central axle has loading members connected with it, such as a loading shoe, which are pressed by the pressure of a loading medium, such as hydraulic fluid, towards a backup roll, whereby the belt mantle conforms to the shape of the backup roll in the area of the shoe. Actuators connected with the ends of the belt mantle are provided and act with a force upon the ends of the belt mantle of the extended-nip roll so that the direction of stretching of the belt mantle of the extended-nip roll is reversed alternatingly by controlling the actuators and/or locking devices which lock the ends of the belt mantle.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for passively steering an endless belt toward a lateral target belt position while the endless belt is transported by a transporting mechanism. A steering roller contacts the belt inner surface, the steering roller being rotatable about a roller axis and being pivotable about a steering axis, and the steering roller having a first roller end. A carriage supports the steering roller and is pivotable about a steering axis such that the steering roller is pivotable about the steering axis. A first member is positioned adjacent to the first roller end and functionally connected to the carriage. The first member contacts the belt inner surface when the first belt edge extends sufficiently beyond the first roller end. The first member applies greater friction to the endless belt than the steering roller when the belt contacts the first member.

Abstract: A roller assembly for guiding webs and removing wrinkles includes an outer cylindrical surface that is supported on a shaft about which it can rotate. Portions of the outer diameter of the outer cylindrical surface can expand and contract radially using a radial expander that can move axially along the shaft. The radial expander has an increasing radius from a point closer to a central transverse axis of the roller assembly to a point further from the central transverse axis of the roller assembly so that the closer the radial expander is to the central transverse axis, the greater the radial expansion of the outer cylindrical surface.

Abstract: An positive yarn feeding device including a support body mounted on a beam member, a multilayer yarn feeding wheel having frictional yarn feeding periphery, multiple drive pulleys, multiple tension controllers each having a movable yarn guiding arm, and a yarn braking assembly. The yarn feeding wheel and the drive pulleys are rotatably concentrically secured in a bearing of the support body and a clutch is disposed between the pulleys for optionally adjusting the operating speed of the roller. Each movable yarn guiding arm is disposed with a yarn guiding eyelet through which a yarn passes. The movable yarn guiding arm is pivotally supported between a first position where the yarn guiding eyelet is away from the frictional periphery of the yarn feeding wheel, and a second position where the yarn guiding eyelet is adjacent to the frictional periphery thereof.

Abstract: A wire transport apparatus has a pair of rollers having opposed peripheral running surfaces which at their nip contact the wire to drive it, one of said rollers being driven. The driven roller is mounted on an arm swingable about a pivot axis. The arm also carrying a coupling pulley connected to the driven roller to drive it in rotation. The coupling pulley is itself driven in rotation by an endless flexible element whose tension tends to cause said driven roller to apply load to said wire. In order that variation of the tension in belt also adjusts the normal force applied to the wire by the driven roller, the pivot axis is parallel to the direction of wire travel, and the driven roller and the coupling pulley are on a common rotational axis perpendicular to the pivot axis, at different distances from the pivot axis. Excessive force on the wire is avoided, and wear is minimized.

Abstract: A roll type stock feed apparatus having first and second support shafts mounted on a frame with the axes of the first and second shafts in parallel relation and disposed in a plane transverse to the feed path, a first roll mounted on the first support shaft with the roll is axis coaxial with the first shaft axis, and a second roll is mounted on the second support shaft for limited longitudinal tilting movement relative to the second shaft axis. Roll drive mechanism is provided for driving the first and second rolls to advance stock along the feed path and includes a first toothed coupling member mounted on the second roll and having annularly arranged teeth coaxial with the second roll axis and a second toothed coupling member having annularly arranged teeth coaxial with the second shaft axis, the teeth on the first and second coupling members having working clearance therebetween sufficient to accommodate limited tilting movement of the second roll relative to the second roll axis.

Abstract: A roller over which advances a web of material such as paper, photographic film or the like includes a plurality of staves organized in first and second arrays with the staves of the first array alternating with the staves of the second array to provide surfaces for supporting the web. The staves are each individually mounted on the roller by separate spring legs which center the staves. Flanges are located at the ends of the roller to position the web laterally. When the web obliquely approaches the axis of the roller so as to helically advance thereover, the staves sequentially and independently shift axially due to engagement with the helically advancing web. After the web leaves the roller, the stave that the web was most recently supported by returns under the bias of the spring legs to its central, unbiased position. In this way, damage to the edges of the web, due to engagement with the flanges, is minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling large diameter horizontally extruded plastic tubing includes a number of driven endless belts positioned around the path of travel of the extrusion to transport the extrusion while it cools. The belts are individually driven either by hydraulic or electric motors, the speed of travel of each belt is continuously monitored and a feedback system including a microprocessor controls the driving motors so as to maintain the speed of travel of the extrusion at an adjustable controlled value. The belt positions are hydraulically controlled to accommodate tubing of a range of sizes and the level of the hydraulic fluid in its reservoir, its pressure and its temperature are also monitored by the microprocessor. In the event of component fault or failure, the microprocessor returns the affected belt or belts to manual control so that the product line need not be shut down.

Abstract: A multi-tractor shuttle printer having an array of moveable tractors such that a selected tractor and form can be shuttled into, and out of, position for printing. A drive motor is linked via cable to the tractors to shuttle them into and out of position. Guide plates located on each side of the array of tractors have guide slots into which a guide rod from each tractor fits. Movement through the path of the guide slots is controlled by a pair of flippers located in each guide plate. When a tractor is driven to the engaged position, it engages a main drive gear which controls transportation of a continuous form through the engaged tractor into the printer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the alignment of two or more adjacent lugs while the lugs are in motion is provided. The alignment measuring apparatus includes a first scanner for detecting the leading edge of a first lug and a second scanner for detecting the leading edge of a second lug positioned adjacent the first. Timing means are provided for measuring the time differential between detection of the first and second lugs and computation means are provided for determining whether adjacent lugs are within alignment tolerances based in part upon the differential time measurement. Alternatively, differential distance measuring means are provided to directly measure the misalignment between the lugs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the guiding, positioning and motion control of bands of material and a set of guide rolls for carrying out the invention. A pivotal frame rotatable and pivotal about an imaginary vertical axis with regard to a stationary basic frame by means of a pivotal cylinder is supported on said stationary basic frame. On the pivotal frame, two lower rolls with horizontal axes are spacially supported. An upper roll with horizontal axis rotatably supported on a superposed frame is descendable into said space. The superposed frame is articulated to the pivotal frame on one end by means of uprights and on the other end by means of contact pressure cylinders. It is the object of the invention to use said set of guide rolls also as a set of driving or braking rolls in order to achieve an effective guidance and control of the band also during the entrance and exiting stage.

Abstract: Apparatus for accurately feeding a continuous web having opposite generally sinuous longitudinal edges each defined by alternating convex and concave edge portions by utilizing a drive and idle roll for intermittently feeding the web in a predetermined direction, lateral generally C-shaped guides spaced a distance from each other corresponding to the distance between the longitudinal edges of the web, sensing elements located above elongated slots in upper arms of the webs for sensing along a line in chordal relationship to the convex and concave edge portions, and a mechanism responsive to the sensing elements for intermittently driving the drive roller to stepwise feed the web in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A feed device for a long and narrow strip of continuous package wherein the continuous package includes a plurality of wrapped articles connected together by a connecting part and the rigidity of the wrapped articles is different than the rigidity of the connecting part. The feed device is further characterized by a rotatable member in contact with the continuous package and a plurality of ridge parts provided in parallel to each other on the rotatable member and a tension device for applying sufficient tension to draw the connecting part over the ridged parts but insufficient to draw the wrapped articles over the ridged parts.

Abstract: A thermal transfer printer employs a relatively small diameter platen roller 20 flanked by a pair of sprockets 3c which support endless timing belts 2. A clamp 7' for gripping the leading edge of a sheet 6 to be printed is mounted laterally across and between the belts. The attendantly small radius of curvature of the roller at the printing station prevents any contact by components and structure mounted to the reciprocable printing head 1.

Abstract: An adjustable guide roller assembly installed on the tube forming apparatus of form-fill-seal packaging machines of the type having a tube former and depending tubular fill pipe through which quantities of product are passed and over which a strip of packaging material is pulled to progressively form the material into a depending and upwardly open tubular configuration and subsequently sealed to form product bearing packages. The adjustable guide roller assembly is removably mounted on the back of the tube former adjacent the curved shaping portion which receives the strip material and is pivotally and horizontally movable relative thereto to receive and adjustably position the strip material thereon. The guide roller member of the assembly is capable of being pivotally raised above the top of the lowermost surface of the shaping portion of the former to clear the machine framework supporting the former allowing it to be removed horizontally outward from the packaging machine.

Abstract: An adjusting roller pair, particularly for a rotation folding apparatus in which each roller has an axle, at the ends of which adjusting devices are supported by sleeves to adjust the roller horizontally, vertically and axially. Each roller has a roller body formed of two portions and a non-rotating internal tube. The two portions of the roller body are supported at their ends and horizontally adjustable. The pair of adjusting rollers are employed when non-uniform web tensions transverse to the material web, such as paper, are compensated.

Abstract: Traction enhancement for a traction elevator system has an elevator car and counterweight connected by a plurality of wire ropes reeved about a drive sheave with a predetermined angle of wrap. An arcuate frame having a plurality of rollers has one end pivotally and adjustably fixed, while its other end biases the rollers against the ropes in the angle of wrap with a tension spring. Over travel of the elevator car releases the bias to allow the ropes to slip should the counterweight reach an end of its travel path.

Abstract: Planetary wire-feeding device having a body with a hollow threaded shank. On the body there are two two-arm levers pivotally mounted thereon, the levers having long and short arms. The short arms of the levers are in contact with the outer faces of radially reciprocable pistons which carry wire-feeding rolls. The long arms of the two-arm levers are in contact by means of guiding rolls with a guiding cone which is mounted axially movable along the hollow threaded shank of the body. The internal side of the guiding cone is in contact with one end of a coil compression spring which embraces the hollow threaded shank. The other end of the spring is in contact with an adjustable abutment or calibrating its compressive force. The device of the invention allows a variable calibration of the pushing force as required, changing in the diameter, type of material, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for supplying thin film plastic web materials to a wrapper machine as shown and described. This apparatus includes feed stripper which assures the separation of the web material from the apparatus. The feed stripper includes a clamp feed and either a belt roller for stripping or a stripper bar for stripping the film off. An anti-static bar is used to eliminate static electricity on the web material.

Abstract: A tape guide mechanism includes an edge-guide element extending radially from a central axis. A tape guide roller, rotatable about the central axis, is arranged for urging an advancing magnetic tape laterally in the direction of the edge-guide element, to maintain an edge of the tape perpendicular to and in continuous contact with the edge-guide element during tape transport movement. A piezoelectric actuator, preferably comprising a stack of flexing type bimorph elements responsive to a voltage signal relating to the direction and magnitude of a tape-tracking error, causes movement of the edge-guide element in a single composite direction having a first component which is perpendicular to the edge of the tape, and a second component, which is parallel to the tape edge.

Abstract: A sled which is mounted between an uncoiler and a multiple-head or arbor type slitter and which carries a pair of pinch rolls and a peeler. The sled is adapted for longitudinal movement between the slitter and the uncoiler to allow indexing of the slitter arbors and feeding of the coil initially into the slitter.

Abstract: A dispenser for multiple rolls of web material such as paper toweling that is provided with dispensing mechanism to lead a web of material out of the dispenser to the user has supports for rotatably supporting rolls in primary and reserve positions, respectively, with transfer mechanism interactive with such roll supports and the dispensing mechanism to automatically transfer web feed from one roll to the other under predetermined sensed conditions.

Abstract: A feeding device used for a wood working machine includes two roller assemblies respectively mounted to two roller supports which can be controlled to turn about horizontal axes and which in turn is supported by an upper portion mounted to a cantilever arm of a column. Each of roller assemblies includes at least two rows of rollers respectively mounted on at least two horizontal axes. By adjusting roller supports, these rollers can roll on a curve surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding web material from a supply roll to processing equipment of the type that exerts an intermittent pulley force on the web during intermittent advance through the processing equipment. The web feed apparatus includes a brake for controlling unwinding rotation of the web supply roll which is operated under the control of a dancer to decrease the braking action when the web is fed at a rate faster than the rate at which it unwinds from the supply roll. The web feed apparatus also includes web feed rollers arranged to drive both sides of a folded web while both sides of the web are under the same tension.