Tracking control of an automatic paper joining system: design and experiments

Presents the results of an experimental setup for an automatic paper joining system that controls a joining device and tracks the moving paper so that the working paper and the next paper roll to be used are connected while the paper is still moving. The tracking control employs a reflective-type optical sensor mounted on a servo controlled table to measure the relative positions between a mark on the working paper and the table so that the mark alignment can be controlled during the joining process. The application of this system shows clearly the benefit of being able to reduce the time taken to complete the paper joining procedure, therefore improving efficiency and increasing productivity.