The best way to load and unload a product reel into an unwind machine is by using a pair of Safety Chucks. An air bar will be put through the reel. This air bar will have a square on each end, and these squares fit into the square insert in each of the Safety Chucks.
When the product starts to rotate, the Safety Chuck handwheels also rotate and roll into the closed safe position. The Safety Chuck is designed in such a way that the handwheel will only open when in the correct position, and there is no chance of the roll falling out accidentally.
One or both of the Safety Chucks can be fitted with a brake so that the product tension can be controlled.
At the rewind end of the machine, a plain Safety Chuck and a Safety Chuck with a stub shaft can be used. A gear/drive can be put onto the stub shaft to rewind the material.
Safety Chucks are widely used in the Converting Industry and have proved to be a very cost effective way of increasing the efficiency and safety of machines.
