Hexcel Corporation
Unwinding of materials

Abstract:

There is provide a process for unwinding material from a spool (2) wherein the angle (.THETA.) of take off at the first contact point (4) for the unwind is always in the range 0.+-.20.degree., and wherein the first contact point (4) for the unwind is no more than 600 mm from the axis (3) of rotation of the spool (2). There is also provided an apparatus for the unwinding of material from a spool (2) comprising an axis (3) upon which a spool (2) may be rotatably mounted and a static first contact point (4) for the unwound material positioned no more than 600 mm from the centre of the axis (3), wherein the angle (.THETA.) of take off at the first contact point (4) for the unwind is always in the range 0.+-.20.degree..