Slitting & Rewinding Technical Guides

Practical, field-tested guides for slitting, rewinding and converting lines: how to size, select and maintain air shafts, differential shafts, magnetic powder brakes and clutches, tension controllers and web guiding systems. Written by XW Machinery application engineers for plant engineers and purchasing teams.

Not sure which shaft or brake fits your line? Send us your core size, roll weight and line speed — our engineers reply with a sizing recommendation.

Paper Core vs Plastic Core: Air Shaft Grip Diff...

Paper and plastic cores grip an air shaft differently. Learn how wall thickness, surface friction and expansion travel change grip, and how to spec the right air shaft for your...

Paper Core vs Plastic Core: Air Shaft Grip Diff...

Paper and plastic cores grip an air shaft differently. Learn how wall thickness, surface friction and expansion travel change grip, and how to spec the right air shaft for your...

Why Is a Paper Core Stuck on an Air Shaft After...

A paper core stuck on an air shaft after deflation wastes time and risks core damage. Learn why cores jam, how to remove them safely, and how to spec a...

Why Is a Paper Core Stuck on an Air Shaft After...

A paper core stuck on an air shaft after deflation wastes time and risks core damage. Learn why cores jam, how to remove them safely, and how to spec a...

Rotating Air Sleeves on Fixed Shafts | XW Machi...

Rotating air sleeves on fixed shafts retrofit roll handling without a full shaft replacement. Review fit, load, balance and air routing. Contact XW Machinery.

Rotating Air Sleeves on Fixed Shafts | XW Machi...

Rotating air sleeves on fixed shafts retrofit roll handling without a full shaft replacement. Review fit, load, balance and air routing. Contact XW Machinery.

Paper Core Stuck on Air Shaft? Fixes & Preventi...

Paper core stuck on air shaft after deflation? Learn why air expanding shafts fail to release cores and how to remove and prevent stuck paper cores safely.

Paper Core Stuck on Air Shaft? Fixes & Preventi...

Paper core stuck on air shaft after deflation? Learn why air expanding shafts fail to release cores and how to remove and prevent stuck paper cores safely.

Air Shaft Lugs Will Not Retract: How to Find th...

Air shaft lugs won't retract? Find the cause: low air pressure, failed bladder, stuck lug keys, debris and blocked vents. Fix pneumatic air shafts fast.

Air Shaft Lugs Will Not Retract: How to Find th...

Air shaft lugs won't retract? Find the cause: low air pressure, failed bladder, stuck lug keys, debris and blocked vents. Fix pneumatic air shafts fast.

Air Shaft Valve Types: How to Match a Replaceme...

Air shaft valve types: how to match a replacement inflation valve by thread, pressure and mounting. Avoid leaks and downtime with XW Machinery's guide.

Air Shaft Valve Types: How to Match a Replaceme...

Air shaft valve types: how to match a replacement inflation valve by thread, pressure and mounting. Avoid leaks and downtime with XW Machinery's guide.

Replacing an Obsolete Web Guiding Assembly: Mea...

Replacing an obsolete web guiding assembly? Collect these mounting, stroke, sensor and controller measurements first so the new guide drops in and runs without a redesign.

Replacing an Obsolete Web Guiding Assembly: Mea...

Replacing an obsolete web guiding assembly? Collect these mounting, stroke, sensor and controller measurements first so the new guide drops in and runs without a redesign.

How to Guide Transparent Film: Sensor Options a...

Transparent film defeats ordinary edge sensors. Compare ultrasonic, CCD and contrast options and the setup checks XW Machinery uses to guide clear webs without false signals.

How to Guide Transparent Film: Sensor Options a...

Transparent film defeats ordinary edge sensors. Compare ultrasonic, CCD and contrast options and the setup checks XW Machinery uses to guide clear webs without false signals.

Tension Load Cell Calibration: Zero and Span Se...

Step-by-step zero and span calibration for tension load cells on a web line, with the mistakes that cause drift and the checks XW Machinery recommends for stable tension.

Tension Load Cell Calibration: Zero and Span Se...

Step-by-step zero and span calibration for tension load cells on a web line, with the mistakes that cause drift and the checks XW Machinery recommends for stable tension.

Cantilever Air Shafts: Load and Bearing Require...

Cantilever air shafts carry load on one support only. Check overhang, bearing spacing, housing stiffness and L10 life before you specify one. XW Machinery.

Cantilever Air Shafts: Load and Bearing Require...

Cantilever air shafts carry load on one support only. Check overhang, bearing spacing, housing stiffness and L10 life before you specify one. XW Machinery.

Air Shaft Load Capacity: Why Bearing Span Matters

Air shaft load capacity depends less on diameter than on bearing span. See how span, roll weight and stiffness interact, and what to specify on your drawing.

Air Shaft Load Capacity: Why Bearing Span Matters

Air shaft load capacity depends less on diameter than on bearing span. See how span, roll weight and stiffness interact, and what to specify on your drawing.

How to Replace an Air Shaft Bladder Without Dam...

Step-by-step guide to replacing an air shaft bladder without damaging the shaft: tools, disassembly, installation, leak testing and the mistakes to avoid.

How to Replace an Air Shaft Bladder Without Dam...

Step-by-step guide to replacing an air shaft bladder without damaging the shaft: tools, disassembly, installation, leak testing and the mistakes to avoid.