Abstract: The invention relates to a creping blade (1) with a blade-like main part (8) made of metal, in particular steel or stainless steel, said main part having a working edge (2) which can be placed against a drying cylinder (3) and which adjoins an end face (4) with a counter-edge (5). Grooves (6) are worked into the end face (4) and are arranged at a distance to one another, and a wear protection layer (7) is provided on the wall of the main part (9) between the working edge (2) and the main part (8), wherein the grooves (6) are worked at least into the wear protection layer (7).

Abstract: A creping blade having a first side face, a second side face, and a shelf extending from the first side face to the second side face, with a scraping edge at the intersection of the first side face and the shelf. The shelf has a first section having a first coefficient of friction and a second section have a second coefficient of friction and the second coefficient of friction is greater than the first coefficient of friction.

Abstract: Rope guide arrangement, deflection device, and method for guiding a leader strip of a material web through a device. The arrangement includes at least two ropes being arranged offset relative to one another in a first plane defined by a machine direction and a transverse machine direction. Further, the at least two ropes are arranged offset relative to one another in a second plane oriented at a non-zero angle from the first plane.

Abstract: A hood (10) is located above a web forming section (12), a press section (14) and/or a dryer section and includes a ceiling (30), a back side wall, and a front side wall (44), which includes staggered wall segments (42). The wall segments (42) are adapted to move along rails or similar. The front side wall segments (42) are adapted to form two or more groups (46). A cleaning station (40) is arranged to automatically clean the side wall segments (42) as they move past the cleaning station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a drying cylinder which is used to dry a paper, cardboard, tissue or other web of fibrous material in a machine for the production and/or for the transformation thereof. The drying cylinder includes a support body and an external cover layer which is heated by a hot fluid. The thermal flow passing through the external cover layer is increased such that at least one cavity is provided between the support body and the external cover layer through which the fluid flows. The external cover layer is predominately so thin that the ratio formed by the thermal conductivity of the material and the thickness of the external cover layer is greater than a threshold value of 3.2 kW/m2K for steel, 30 kW/m2K for aluminum, 18 kW/m2K for bronze alloys, 3.4 kW/m2K for copper and 6.1 kW/m2K for magnesium.

Abstract: A vacuum belt conveyor of a web forming machine for transferring a threading tail has at least two turning rolls (16, 17) and an air-permeable belt loop (20), arranged around the turning rolls (16, 17). The vacuum belt conveyor also has vacuum means (22) for creating a vacuum effect on both the section of the belt loop (20) conveying the threading tail (23) and in connection with the first turning roll (16) of the turning rolls (16, 17). Arranged in connection with the first turning roll (16) in the travel direction of the threading tail (23) there is at least one cross-directional dividing structure (24) for creating at least two axial vacuum zones (25).

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and an arrangement in a paper machine or the like close to a moving web (29) usually supported against a wire (1), and a paper machine including such an arrangement, and a sealing device having several such arrangements (100). According to the invention, a movable sealing (5) is arranged in the drying section of a paper machine, between two regions (3, 4) with different pressures. Certain air amounts (V1, V2) are supplied to and/or discharged from each side of the sealing (5) in order to create certain pressures in said regions. Air can move between said regions only through certain paths. In normal operating situations the seal (5) according to the invention is automatically adjusted to the desired position in relation to the web.

Abstract: A leader cloth for pulling and installing a belt body onto rolls in a paper machine able to pass between rolls with a small clearance and capable of preventing sag or deflection. At a position near the base portion and a position closer to the apex portion of the leader cloth, stabilizers of a rope or belt-like shape are attached in the width direction to opposite surfaces. Preferably, a sticking fastener is used for the stabilizers The rear face of one piece of the sticking fastener is attached on the surface of the leader cloth by means of stitching to expose sticking face (L-like shaped hooks or loops). The sticking face of the other piece of the sticking fastener is forcefully pressed against the first while applying a tensile force in the width direction to stick the two pieces to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for drying paper webs, especially tissue paper webs, with a dryer cylinder 1 and a dryer hood 2, 3 for blowing hot air onto the paper web. It is mainly characterised by the inlet air parts of the dryer hood 2, 3, such as the nozzle basket 9 or the inlet duct 4, being uncoupled from the frame or hood structure 10. This is especially advantageous at operating temperatures of up to 700° C.

Abstract: A dry end of a tissue machine is made shorter by close-coupling a reel-up to the drying section and supporting the web from the drying section to the reel-up by a foil or a belt such that web stability is maintained, thus allowing high-speed operation. The foil's downstream edge can form a nip with the paper roll and nip load can be controlled by controlling pivotal movement of the foil. The reel-up can include a calendering belt for calendering the web as it passes through a nip between the belt and a reel drum supported on the belt, and a rotatable reel spool on which a paper roll is wound in nipping engagement with the reel drum. Alternatively, the reel drum can be eliminated and the paper roll can be supported on the belt. A composite shaftless core for winding is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for threading a pulp web (W) from the press section (1) of a pulp machine to the dryer (2) of the pulp machine. The arrangement comprises a closing tail threading belt (3) or the like, which is arranged to convey the narrow tail end (Wh) formed on the pulp web (W) inside the dryer (2), where the tail threading cord travels outside the edge of the normal web line of the pulp web. The tail end (Wh) can subsequently be broadened into a normal-width pulp web (W). The arrangement further comprises means (7) for gripping the tail end (Wh) in order to bring the tail end inside/between a closing tail threading cord (3) or the like, whereby the gripping means (7) are arranged to function at the normal running speed of the pulp machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for conveying and guiding a lead-in strip in a paper machine, in which method a lead-in strip is directed over a run of a conveyor in the paper machine and a longitudinal vacuum effect is produced across the run of the conveyor in the direction of moment of the run of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and equipment for tail threading in a paper machine in which tail threading is carried out in stages: the web is guided to the broke treatment at a selected dryer, a cut is formed in the web to separate a narrow tail from the rest of the web, i.e. the broke web, prior to the dryer, the edge opposite to the cut of the broke web is turned away from the cutting point to form an open draw between the tail and the broke web, the tail is guided from the selected dryer to the following section while the broke web is transferred further to the broke treatment, while travelling in a controlled manner, the tail is widened to the full width and the broke web is simultaneously reduced away.

Abstract: A multi-tier fabric loading harness for installing a fabric onto a papermaking machine. The loading harness has a first portion with a supporting rigid member that attaches to an end of the fabric in the cross-machine direction and a plurality of apertures spaced across its width. The first tier is formed by a rope sequentially laced through the apertures to form self-aligning loops. A second rope is sequentially laced through the loops of the first tier to form self-aligning loops for a second tier. A pull ring gathers the loops of the second tier and is used to pull the fabric onto the papermaking machine.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for web threading in a drying section of a paper machine or the like. A leader (24) and a so called run-down strip are formed by cutting in the web coming to the drying cylinder in the drying section. An underpressure box (18) is arranged at the opening gap between the drying cylinder (14) and the drying wire, on that side of the wire which is away from the web, whereby this box can direct against the web an underpressure which is controllable in the machine's cross direction. The underpressure box creates an underpressure region (34?) between the leader and the underpressure box, the region having an underpressure p1 at the detachment point, i.e. in the area where the wire is detached from said drying cylinder (14), which underpressure is sufficient to detach the leader from said drying cylinder.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for drying a material web. The process includes guiding the material web to at least one heated area having a jacket surface of a cylinder having a diameter of between about 4-10 meters, setting the material web, having a dry content of between about 45-55%, onto the at least one heated area, maintaining the material web in uninterrupted contact with the at least one heated area at least until the material web achieves a firmness sufficient for detaching the material web from the heated area, and detaching the material web from the at least one heated area with a dry content of between about 55%-65%.

Abstract: A through-air drying apparatus is disclosed. The through-air drying apparatus includes a rotating drying cylinder over which a tissue web is carried and dried. A hood surrounds the drying cylinder leaving an open free end. In accordance with the present invention, an external baffle is positioned adjacent to the open free end of the drying cylinder to prevent external air from leaking in or infiltrating the drying cylinder.

Abstract: A Yankee cylinder or the like at the dry end of a paper machine has at least a drying cylinder, a hood covering the drying cylinder, a web guiding means, and a roller. After the drying cylinder at the dry end of the machine, seen in the machine direction, a covered area which above and on the sides is at least mainly covered extends at least to the area of the roller.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder dryer of a paper machine, has at least one drying cylinder (10) and at least one roll (11, 12) located at a different height to the cylinder and at a distance to it in the machine direction. A paper web (14) travels from the drying cylinder (10) to this roll (11, 12). Dry air is brought to the dryer through a beam (13) located in front of the web (14) in the machine direction, the air is directed by means of nozzles (33) in the beam into a throat (21) between the drying cylinder (10) and the web (14) mainly to intensify the drying effect. A doctor (27) keeps the surface of the drying cylinder clean. The beam (13) forms with the roll (12) a smooth, high channel (25), at least on the side of the roll (12), for the passage of the web during a disturbance.

Abstract: A method and equipment for tail threading in a paper machine in which tail threading is carried out in stages:

Abstract: A leader which is used to pull a seamable papermaker's fabric onto a paper machine comprising a ravel area for securing pull ropes or cables thereto.

Abstract: A machine for producing a material web is provided having at least one smooth roll at least partially wrapped by the material web. The machine includes an air blowing device arranged for ventilating the material web with at least one discharge stream, wherein the at least one discharge stream is directed into a wedge-shaped opening formed between the at least one at least one roll and the material web leaving the roll.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for web threading in a drying section of a paper machine or the like. A leader (24) and a so called run-down strip are formed by cutting in the web coming to the drying cylinder in the drying section. An underpressure box (18) is arranged at the opening gap between the drying cylinder (14) and the drying wire, on that side of the wire which is away from the web, whereby this box can direct against the web an underpressure which is controllable in the machine's cross direction. The underpressure box creates an underpressure region (34′) between the leader and the underpressure box, the region having an underpressure p1 at the detachment point, i.e. in the area where the wire is detached from said drying cylinder (14), which underpressure is sufficient to detach the leader from said drying cylinder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conveying and guiding a lead-in strip in a paper machine, which device comprises a conveyor belt (20) which is permeable to air and in whose connection devices (15) are fitted by whose means a vacuum effect can be produced on the run (20A) of the conveyor belt (20) on which the lead-in strip is conveyed, by means of which vacuum effect the lead-in strip is made to adhere to and kept in contact with said run (20A) of the conveyor belt (20). On said conveying run (20A) of the conveyor belt (20), on the opposite side of the conveyor belt (20) in relation to the lead-in strip, a foil rib/ribs (15) is/are fitted, by whose means said vacuum effect is produced on the conveying run (20A) of the conveyor belt (20).

Abstract: The ventilator is used to ventilate an offset pocket in the drying section of a papermaking machine. The papermaking machine comprises a row of spaced-apart upper drying rolls and a row of spaced-apart lower drying rolls. It also comprises two rows of spaced-apart felt rolls disposed intermediate the upper drying rolls and the lower drying rolls, respectively, and a paper web intermittently carried by two felts entrained over the upper drying rolls and over the lower drying rolls, respectively. The ventilator comprises a ventral face and a dorsal face. The ventral face comprises at least one ventral orifice disposed adjacent to the felt and the dorsal face comprises at least one dorsal orifice disposed adjacent to a combined draw of felt and paper web.

Abstract: A cantilevered frame in a paper machine dryer group of a dryer section supports a drying wire loop to run by at least one impingement drying unit positioned outside the loop. The frame structure (60) supports devices and rolls situated inside the wire loop (13) of the dryer group (R) which guide and support the run of the wire (13) and the web (W). A dryer section may have multiple such dryer groups which overlap one another with closed draws therebetween.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for drying a material web. The process includes guiding the material web to at least one heated area, maintaining the material web in uninterrupted contact with the at least one heated area at least until the material web achieves a firmness sufficient for detaching the material web from the heated area. The apparatus includes at least one heated area arranged to receive the material web. The at least one heated area includes a removal zone arranged for the removal of the material web from the at least one heated area. The at least one heated area has a length is sufficient to achieve a sufficient firmness of the material web to be removed in the removal zone.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers a lead strip of a paper web, in particular the beginning of a still wet lead strip or tail, from a press roll of a paper-making machine to a following section of that machine. An air jet device peels off the beginning of the tail from the press roll and transfers it across a paper roll to an infeed area of a felt which guides the web into the following section. On an infeed area of the felt, an air cushion is created by an air table having a plurality of tiny holes delivering air from a low pressure plenum to the air cushion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device in the dryer section of a paper/board machine. In the dryer section a normal single-wire draw is applied at least partly, in which method the web (W) is passed through the dryer group on support of a drying wire (H). The drying wire (H) presses the web (W) on the drying cylinders (Kn, Kn+1 . . . ) against the heated cylinder faces, and on the reversing cylinders or rolls (Sn, Sn+1 . . . ) between the drying cylinders (10) the web (W) remains at the side of the outside curve. There is one integrated device, through which a support suction and/or blowing is produced in order to improve the runability of the web (W) and to keep the web (W) in contact with the face of the wire, and through which same device, additionally, impingement blowing is produced in order to dry the web (W) and/or to control its tendency of curling.

Abstract: A leader having a shape substantially that of a triangle which is used to pull a seamable papermaker's fabric onto a paper machine comprising a plastic coated substrate having plastic reinforcing strips thereon.

Abstract: Dryer section and process for drying a fibrous web. Dryer section includes a plurality of dryer groups with at least one heated dryer cylinder and at least one belt to press the fibrous web against a surface of the at least one heated dryer cylinder. Transfer elements, i.e., a delivery transfer element and an accepting transfer element, are arranged to form at least one transfer point. Accepting transfer element has a greater speed than the delivering transfer element, and the transfer elements are arranged not to press against each other at the transfer point and to have a distance from one another of less than about 70 mm. Process includes guiding fibrous web to a first dryer group, pressing, with the at least one belt, fibrous web against surfaces of the at least one heated dryer cylinders of each dryer group, and transferring, without pressing, fibrous web between transfer elements.

Abstract: A system and method effectively threading the moist tail of a web through a pulp dryer. A tail threading belt in a closed loop passes the tail of the web through the dryer, and the most tail of the web is transferred from a support wire in the press section of a pulp machine to the tail threading belt. Transfer may be effected using a suction roll with a suction sector and a blower sector, or by using a suction chamber having a perforated escort belt which cooperates with it to engage the tail section on the wire and fully support it during transfer to the threading belt. The threading belt may be folded over to contain the tail web inside it while it passes through the dryer.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying, cooling, winding up and transverse cooling of a paper web. A lopping device is provided downstream of a conveyor segment lifting the web over the winder or sheet cutter, whichever is proximal to the cooler, the paper web then reaching a bifurcation from then which it may be directed to engagement with the mandrel in a winding readiness position of the coiler or to a conveyor segment for the transverse cutter.

Abstract: In manufacturing a moving web, such as a tissue sheet, the web is transported at very high speeds, often in an unsupported manner, which can result in unstable operations regarding handling and winding of the web. This is particularly true in the region between the creeping blade and the reel for a lightweight, low modulus tissue sheet that is characteristic of a high-quality, soft tissue base sheet. To provide an improved means of controlling the tissue web during manufacture and to improve the manufacturing rate, an apparatus and method of stabilizing the moving web that incorporates a creeping blade foil, one or more aerodynamic sheet stabilizing foils, and a roll foil in a specific relationship to each other is disclosed. This method has been shown to improve the stability of a moving tissue web, allow for a higher rate of operation, and enable the production of softer tissue basesheets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method in a paper machine in threading of paper web, in which method a narrower tail (T) is separated from the edge of the paper web and transferred to threading guiding means arranged in connection with the moving parts of a machine conveying the paper web. Before transferring the tail (T) to the threading devices, its free length is shortened, for example by crinkling, wherein its tensile stretch is increased and bending stiffness reduced.

Abstract: A blow box used in the drying section of a papermaking machine and a method for sealing a pocket provided with a blow box, and a blow nozzle. The blow box is arranged to eject air away from the space between a wire and the blow box and/or maintain an underpressure zone in this space. In the interface between the desired underpressure zone and an outside volume, the blow box is provided with a sealing element, such as a blow nozzle, protruding towards the wire to a certain distance “d” seen from the wire, for forming a seal between the underpressure zone and the area remaining outside the underpressure zone. The sealing element is connected to the blow box so that the element may be moved away from the wire to a distance “D” by a push and/or by an actuator, the distance “D” being greater than the distance “d”.

Abstract: A paper web threading apparatus is provided for a papermaking machine. The threading apparatus includes a transfer sheave assembly mounted on an end of a middle rotating drum disposed between an upstream drum and a downstream drum. The transfer sheave assembly includes a first sheave that is fixed to the middle drum and rotates with the middle drum and a second sheave that rotates freely and independently of the middle drum. An upstream pair of endless ropes is provided that wrap partially around the sheave of the upstream drum before wrapping partially around one of the sheaves of the transfer sheave assembly. A pair of downstream endless ropes is also provided that wrap partially around the other of the sheaves of the transfer sheave assembly as well as the sheave mounted to the downstream drum. The upstream ropes maintain an adjacent position with respect to each other until they depart from the transfer sheave assembly.

Abstract: Creping blade for the detachment of a travelling paper web from a dryer cylinder, said blade having an edge or tip section engaging said cylinder and being constantly hit by the traveling web during its detachment from the cylinder. The invention resides in the improvement of said edge or tip section being provided with a wear-resistant coating on a first part of said edge section hit by the web, the other part of said edge section engaging the cylinder being uncoated or coated with a non-wear-resistant material so that said other part is subjected to sliding wear. A recess is located in the side surface so that the wear land surface that contacts the cylinder remains essentially constant throughout the operative cycle of the blade.

Abstract: Dryer section of a machine for at least one of producing and processing a web of material. The dryer section includes at least one heatable drying cylinder having a circumference, at least a part the circumference adapted to be surrounded by the material web, at least one support band arranged to surround the at least a part of the circumference, and a sealing band arranged to surround the at least a part of the circumference. An overpressure cap is arranged to receive one of a liquid and gaseous medium and is adapted to apply a pressurized one of the liquid and gaseous medium on the at least one drying cylinder. A temperature of the medium is lower than a temperature on an outside of the part of the circumference. At least one second support band is arranged around the at least one drying cylinder and is positioned between the at least one support band and the sealing band, wherein the at least one second support band has a coarser structure than the at least one support band.

Abstract: A continuous drying apparatus for a porous web including a porous web for traveling on a drying line, a heating cylinder for contacting the porous web at its circumferential surface and rotating in synchronization with the travel of the porous web to heat the porous web, a drying band for contacting and supporting a surface of the porous web which is out of contact with the heating cylinder and also for rotating in synchronization with the travel of the porous web, and a pressure rotating body disposed near the circumference of the heating cylinder and outside the drying band. The pressure rotating body is constructed of a rotating member for rotating and contacting an exterior surface of the drying band and a pressure device for pressurizing the rotating member toward the heating cylinder. With this, a porous web can be efficiently dried.

Abstract: A device is known for heat treatment of permeable webs of goods with a housing in which at least one screen roller is mounted and a pumping device is associated endwise with the roller, said pumping device drawing a processing medium in the formal of a vapor and/or gas out of the screen roller, with the through-flow area of the roller, in other words the working width of the screen roller, being capable of being determined by a width-adjusting device on the screen roller. A screen roller of this kind is improved according to the invention ifa) at least in the area covered by the web of goods, it has two coaxially mounted permeable screen roller jackets located with a distance between them,b) a width-adjusting device is provided between the outer and inner screen roller jackets, said devicec) being adjustable by a spindle on the axis of the screen roller, andd) the inner screen roller jacket is made permeable only in the area that corresponds to the minimum working width of the roller.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing a material web, in particular a paper or cardboard web, comprises a drying section that exhibits at least one drying group comprising two rows, including an upper and a bottom row of heatable drying cylinders, which are each assigned a transport belt, which is guided around the drying cylinder and the guide rollers assigned to the drying cylinders in a meandering fashion, whereby the material web is guided in an alternating manner around a drying cylinder of the top row and a drying cylinder of the bottom row and between the drying cylinders in a free stretch, and with at least one first nozzle, serving to transfer the threading strip, projecting a flow of gas essentially against the run direction of the material web. The machine includes a guide device positioned on the material web side opposite the first nozzle, which includes at least a second nozzle projecting a flow of gas essentially in the run direction of the material web.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the dryer section of a paper machine consisting of a number dryer groups having dryer cylinders and one reversal role between each two dryers within a dryer group. The dryer section may have top felted or bottom felted dryer groups. A differential pressure box may be placed between the dryer cylinders and above the reversal roles in a top-felted dryer group and between the dryer cylinders and below reversal roles in a bottom felted dryer group. Between dryer groups the transfer between top felted dryer groups can occur with either an open or closed draw. The transfer between a top felted dryer group and a bottom felted dryer group occurs with an open draw. The size of the draw can be adjustable by making one or both of the guide rolls at the transfer moveable.

Abstract: Dryer section of a machine for producing a material web. The dryer section may include at least one dryer group including a plurality of heatable dryer cylinders so that the material web to be guided around at least a portion of the plurality of heatable dryer cylinders may be guided in a meandering path in a web travel direction. At least one pressing device may be located within the dryer section.

Abstract: An arrangement for impingement drying and/or through-drying of a paper or material web in which the web is dried by blowing hot air and/or superheated steam from an impingement drying and/or through-drying dryer in a direction substantially perpendicular to the web, and the web runs on support of a wire or equivalent past the dryer. In the area of the dryer, the web and wire are supported from the opposite side of the wire, opposite in relation to the web, by blowings produced from one or more vacuum blow boxes substantially across the entire width of the web. The outlet direction of the blowings may be substantially the same as the running direction of the drying wire and as such, steam and/or air is/are ejected out of the space between the drying wire and the wall placed in connection with the blow boxes that produce the blowings.

Abstract: A machine for producing a material web, including a paper or cardboard web, having a plurality of cylinders around which the material web is guided in a meandering path together with a conveyor (transport) belt. The machine further includes at least one air conveying device disposed in the transfer region between two cylinders. The air conveying device associates with the free circumference region of a cylinder and aspirates the material web as the material web travels in a path free from contact with the cylinders as the material web travels between two succeeding cylinders. The material web and the conveyor belt are partially wound around the circumference region of the cylinders. According to the invention, the air conveying device only covers certain areas of the free circumference region of the cylinder on which the material web (paper web) winds.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling widthwise contraction of a conveyed web has opposing first web carrier belts and opposing second web carrier belts forming a generally serpentine transport path for supporting opposite lateral edges of the conveyed web.

Abstract: A dryer section of a paper machine including groups with single-wire draw that include a drying wire guided in a loop and reversing cylinders arranged in the drying-wire loop. Contact drying cylinders are arranged in gaps between the reversing cylinder and the drying wire is guided to press a web against heated faces of the contact drying cylinders. In addition to normal, small-diameter contact drying cylinders, one or more large-diameter contact drying cylinders (the diameter being greater than about 2200 mm and usually in a range from 2200 mm to 3600 mm), is/are used in one or more single-wire draw groups. An impingement-drying/ventilation hood is arranged above the large-diameter contact drying cylinders and extends on a large sector above the contact drying cylinder and above the drying wire and the web running over the cylinder. An impingement-drying/ventilation effect is applied to the drying wire through the impingement-drying/ventilation hoods on the large sector.

Abstract: A web finishing section in a paper machine including a dryer section having one or more dryer groups, a calender and a reel-up. The calender is placed at least partly underneath the reel spool storage space of the reel-up so that the reel-up is placed substantially directly after the calender, in which case, the web is passed directly from a calendering nip in the calender onto the reel cylinder or to a substantially short distance from the calender, the web being passed over one guide member that supports and/or spreads the web onto the reel cylinder. The calender includes one or more calendering belts for carrying the web through the calendering nip(s). A method for finishing a web is also described.

Abstract: To accomplish a web transfer, which in reliability is comparable to the one obtained with a closed draw, in any operating environment, but especially where it is desirable to transfer a fast running tissue web (4) from the drying section of a tissue machine, e.g., a Yankee dryer (2), to a reel-up (3), a web support device (10) extends across the width of the web (4) and along a predetermined run of the web support device has a support surface (11) formed by a series of plate member assemblies (23) having means for creating a flow of air in the direction of the web run. Between the web (4) and the support surface (11) the flow of air forms an air layer (15) of reduced static pressure, so as to stabilize the web (4) against flutter. The predetermined run may extend through a calender (7) and past scanner equipment (8). Pneumatic tail threading capabilities may be included.