Don't Get Stressed Out Over Tension

Tension is the force acting on a web to stretch the web in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the machine direction. Web tension is always identified as the total tension across the face of the web. Determination of the correct tension for any given web on any given machine is difficult to predict. The Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) has determined standard tension values for paper and board stocks, and many of the companies in the field have published charts and specifications for various plastics and combinations of paper, plastic and metal foils.