Stability analysis for design parameters of a roll-to-roll printing machine

The stability of multi-input and multi-output web-tension systems is an important factor that is required for the roll-to-roll printing machines to operate properly and to obtain reasonable printing performance. This paper presents a stability analysis of a multi-input and multi-output web-tension system of a high-speed gravure printing machine considering span-length variations due to dancer rollers. Span-length variations due to dancer motions are considered for the modeling of plant dynamics in two ways; one is to include the effect of span-length variations without considering dancer roller inertias and viscous frictions, and the other is to include the effect of span-length variations with considering dancer roller inertias and viscous frictions. Stability of the linearized system of the proposed model is analyzed using eigenvalues of the system matrix. The validity of the analysis is demonstrated by simulation study.