Montalvo Electronics Integrate Load Cell And Dancer Control

The Montalvo Corporation, international specialists in industrial web control systems, offer an improved dancer tension controller (the DTI-3400), the only one on the market today that provides integrated load cell feedback and setpoint control.

The controller was developed to provide a higher standard of tension control by simultaneously processing the signals from a dancer arm assembly and from a pair of load cells.

It combines the storage and shock absorption capabilities of a dancer system, with the accurate and repeatable results of a load cell system.

Control is provided by "progressive PID" circuitry which regulates the output to the unwind brake and maintains the position of the dancer arm from the full roll all the way down to the core. The signal provided by the load cells is displayed on an analog tension meter.

Actual web tension is used by the operator to adjust the load on the dancer arm and thereby maintain the desired tension set point. The required inputs are taken from the dancer potentiometer, the load cells, and the machine start/stop contacts.

Dancer systems can be effective methods to maintain consistent web tension but many lack the ability to provide a key piece of data to ensure consistency and repeatability on production lines -- and that is a tension readout. As with all dancer-based tension control systems, the actual web tension is a function of the load applied to the dancer arm (typically via air cylinders). This load determines the web tension, but it does NOT provide calibrated tension reference. The easiest and most accurate way to get that information is from load cell feedback.

Montalvo's DTI-3400 accepts load cell input, AND provides an accurate tension output for display purposes.

Customers can even enter a tension set point and the controller will automatically adjust the dancer load to provide the desired level of tension, making the dancer controller a true setpoint tension controller.

Other features of this control system include digital diagnostics, a web break output and, when combined with Montalvo's P-3000-RE range expander, a cycling range expander with 2, 3, or 4 valves.

The Montalvo Corporation specializes in the analyzing, upgrading and servicing of customer's web tension control equipment. For more than 60 years, Montalvo has manufactured, integrated and serviced a wide range of web control products and systems for the converting, paper, foil, nonwovens, and plastic film industries, as well as packaging, medical and high-tech applications. Montalvo products include electronic tension control devices, load cells, tension indicators, web guiding equipment, brakes, clutches, and safety chucks. Montalvo manufactures in the United States, and sells worldwide.

For more information contact The Montalvo Corporation at 50 Hutcherson Drive, Gorham, Maine, USA, 04038; telephone 1-800-226-8710 or (207) 856-2501; fax 1-800-644-5097 or (207) 856-2509; www.montalvo.com; e-mail: dan@montalvo.com.

Montalvo also has offices in China. Montalvo (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd. is located at 1312 HuaRong Plaza, 1271-1289 South Pudong Road, Shanghai, 200122. Tel: +86-21-5887-5760, Fax: +86-21-5887-5790 .