Abwickler

An abwickler is a machine used to unwind material from a roll and feed it into downstream processing equipment. In German, the term abwickler translates to unwind device or unwinder. It is common in printing, coating, laminating, packaging, textile finishing, and wire or cable production, where a continuous web or strand must be supplied at a controlled tension and speed.

The primary function of an abwickler is to remove material from the roll without introducing excessive slack or tension variations as the roll diameter decreases. Key features typically include a powered unwind shaft, a tension control system (such as a friction brake, servo-driven unwind, or hydraulic brake), a dancer or load-cell-based feedback device to sense tension, edge guides for alignment, and interfaces to the next machine in the line. Many systems also use an air shaft, center- or surface-driven drive, and a control cabinet or digital controller to regulate speed and tension.

Types of abwicklers include center-driven and surface-driven unwinds, shafted and shaftless stands, and turret or turret-style multi-roll configurations that enable quick changeovers. Some lines employ automatic setup, printer or sensor integration, and sophisticated tension profiles to accommodate changing material properties or web widths.

Applications span film and foil converting, label production, web coating, laminating, textile processing, and cable or wire manufacturing. Proper operation requires consistent tension, correct edge tracking, and regular maintenance of brakes, sensors, and bearings to prevent defects such as wrinkles or misregistration.

See also: unwinder, rewinder, winder.