Robust control of multi-stage web systems

Abstract

Web handling systems are widely used in industries such as pulp and paper, printing press, and steel milling. Tension variations in web materials are very common in operation and tension control is critical to the quality control of the related manufacturing facilities. Speed variations or changes will cause fluctuations in web tension; as a result, speed control is another important issue in web handling systems to prevent machinery performance degradation and to maintain desired productivity. The web system control problem is investigated comprehensively in this research on both intermediate zone and unwinding-winding process.