SubscribeAccurate web guiding is a key to excellence in converting – and it’s the specialty of the Swiss company FMS (Force Measuring Systems).
FMS offers complete systems that can be custom configured to provide optimal web guiding for most any converting line. The system components are designed and manufactured in Switzerland by FMS to meet the highest standards of quality, accuracy, responsiveness, and durability. They are easy to set-up, maintain, and use.
FMS web guiding systems are known for their speed, versatility, dependability, and effectiveness. The main components of the system are material position detectors, electronic components, and steering frames. With standard interfaces and a common response time of 2 ms, the components are all designed to mix and match - to suit the individual requirements of processes running at speeds up to 500 metres per minute.
The newest web guides are supplied as complete units with integrated control electronics. The units can handle material widths from 5cm to 2meters. The steering frame mounts to the machine frame with four bolts. The stepper motor provides precise positioning, and an LED row displays the material position. Remote control and advanced parameterization by RS 232 are options. Just supply the power and mount any FMS sensor and the web guide is ready for operation.
FMS offers three series of web guiding sensors including a digital line and edge sensor and optical and ultrasonic edge sensors. This range of fast and accurate sensors covers nearly every condition, detecting the material edge or a line or pattern edge on virtually any material - transparent or opaque, glossy or matt, plain or patterned.
The optical sensors are used primarily for opaque materials and are not affected by ambient light. The ultrasonic sensors are typically used for transparent and reflective materials. Using advanced microprocessor technology, these are not affected by plane changes or ambient ultrasonic noise. The reliability of these problem-free sensors is well proven.
The new digital line sensor (DLS) provides unparalleled detection capability. Using new technology (patent pending) it detects material position by reading lines, edges, or holographic elements. The digital sensor can distinguish between guiding lines and printed characters, similar patterns, or errant marks. It can read intermittent lines and continuous lines that touch or cross changing patterns. With software that can be configured for specific conditions, the DLS does what no analog detector can do.
The modular sensor series minimizes changeover times. Electronic and mechanical interfaces are standardized, and recalibration is unnecessary because each sensor is calibrated individually.
FMS builds long-lasting, low-maintenance, high-quality equipment. These qualities are built into the new web guides. The brushless stepper motor, the extra-large ball screw with lifetime lubrication, and ultra-low-friction sliding guides promise years of trouble-free operation. No mechanical limit switches are used; only non-contact proxy sensors.
Force Measuring Systems AG has been designing and manufacturing precision devices and systems for web guiding and tension measurement and control since 1993. The Swiss company offers its products and services worldwide.