This section includes technical product, application, and safety information you may find useful. The product manuals section is updated periodically and manuals listed may not be the latest versions but should be representative and suitable for selection of spare parts. You may call our customer service department at 800-863-3164 if you need a more current version. The loop control concepts section is intended to help you understand coil feeding line configurations and the slack loop/pit concepts. We’ve also included a link to a coil feeding calculator to assist in determining coil weights and production run time. Our Application Engineers can provide you personal assistance to configure a coil feeding system to your exact needs or assistance with upgrading an existing line with modern technology. They can help you upgrade from an air feed system to a servo feed and/or upgrade the drive and controls of an older servo feeding system.
Be sure to subscribe to our PRI RSS equipment release feeds to receive up to the minute information on our power presses, in die lubrication, conveyors, press automation, press safety, coil handling, quick die change, and press accessories.
Application Notes
Application Note: Specifying a Coil Handling & Feeding Line
Wintriss Application Note: Controlling Air Blow Off
Wintriss Application Note: Using the Wintriss Tonnage Monitor Repeatability Function
SmartPAC Users Tips
Die protection Sensor Disable Modes rev A
Die Protection Knowledge Base – User Tips
Wintriss SmartPAC Brake Monitor Capabilities
Wintriss SmartPAC2 Application Note: Advantages of Advanced Load Monitoring
Wintriss SmartPAC2 Application Note: Networking & Tool Memory Backup
Wintriss SmartPAC2 Application Note: Getting the Most Out of the SmartPAC2 Counters System
Using your Programmable Limit Switch
Advance Load Monitoring SmartPAC2 user tips
Resource PDFs
successful-press-installations-a-newsletter-from-vibro-dynamics – courtesy of Vibro/Dynamics
Press Maintenance Advice Hydraulic Overload 101 – courtesy of Sutherland Presses
Cost Benefits of Shock Dampeners
Hydraulic shock dampers tech article-2
Press Maintenance Tip – 1 ACB / Air Counter Balance 101 – tip is courtesy of Sutherland Presses
Overall Equipment Effectiveness – OEE measurement, reporting, and scheduling systems
CLICK HERE to find more information on OEE Monitoring System and scheduler
Press Automation Control System Total Cost Analysis
Coil Feeding vs. Blank Feeding for Transfer Operation
Reference Formulas & Technical Information
Safety & OSHA Compliance Information
Application Note: Is It Time to Consider Upgrading Your Press Clutch/Brake and Automation Controls?
Application Guideline for Proper Use of Light Curtains
Press Brake Alternative Guarding Methods
Power Press OSHA/ANSI Control Compliance
Power Press Safety Control – System Considerations for Used Machines
Light Curtain Application Issues – “Walk Thru Hazards”
Full Revolution Clutch Mechanical Power Presses
Lockout – Tagout During Die Change
Guidelines for Safety Distance Calculations When Using Light Curtain Blanking Functions
SAFETY DISTANCE Calculator for “Point of Operation” Light Curtain Guarding
Coil Feeding Calculator
Use this Coil Feeding Calculator to determine coil weights and production run time.
Coil Feeding Material Calculator
Rapid-Air Manuals
Dorner Conveyor Manuals
Click Here for Dorner Conveyor Manuels
Wintriss & Pax Products user manuals are not available online.
Call customer service at 800-863-3164. We’ll need your model # and serial #.
Linear Transfer Automation Brochure
Click Here to find Linear manuals
Loop Control Concepts: Slack Loops
Purpose: Material storage to supply the feed while the unwinder /decoiler/straightener accelerates to line speed. To absorb and store material while the unwinder decelerates after the feed stops; storage requirement is based on speed and feed length-vs.-acceleration rate of the unwinder.
The amount of material stored is equal to the total slack length minus the straight line length. Storage is increased by greater depth not length. Rule of thumb: 2 to 3 times feed length in slack for best operation. Types of Slack Loops include Horizontal, Overhead and paddle.

Straight Line Length

Horizontal Loop

Overhead Loop

Paddle Loop
Loop Size and Accumulation Chart Using The Chart: Select material thickness and passline intersect LENGTH shows desired loop length and STORED shows amount of slack |
||||||||
Loop Depth Material Passline Height | ||||||||
Material Thickness |
36″ | 48″ | 60″ | 72″ | ||||
Length | Stored | Length | Stored | Length | Stored | Length | Stored | |
0.032 | 3.8′ | 56″ | 3.8′ | 87″ | 3.8′ | 120″ | 3.8′ | 155″ |
0.063 | 7.3′ | 31″ | 7.6′ | 57″ | 7.6′ | 81″ | 7.6′ | 105″ |
0.090 | 9.6′ | 27″ | 10.4′ | 43″ | 10.7′ | 57″ | 10.8′ | 88″ |
0.125 | 12′ | 22″ | 13.2′ | 35″ | 14.1′ | 50″ | 14.6′ | 65″ |
0.156 | 13.7′ | 20″ | 15.3′ | 31″ | 16.5′ | 44″ | 17.4′ | 59″ |
0.187 | 15.2′ | 18″ | 17.1′ | 28″ | 18.6′ | 40″ | 19.8′ | 53″ |
0.212 | 16.4′ | 17″ | 18.5′ | 26″ | 20.2′ | 37″ | 21.6′ | 50″ |
0.250 | 18′ | 15″ | 20.3′ | 24″ | 22.3′ | 34″ | 24′ | 45″ |
0.312 | 20.3′ | 13″ | 23′ | 21″ | 25.4′ | 30″ | 27.4′ | 40″ |
0.375 | 22.4′ | 12″ | 25.6′ | 19″ | 28.2′ | 27″ | 30.5′ | 36″ |
Some newer coil feeding design concepts challenge conventional space and slack loop/pit requirements. Space saver coil feed lines are now available that incorporate an integrated reel, and powered feeder straightener combination. This design greatly reduces floor space requirements. Servo feeds integrated with pull through straighteners also offer opportunity for space savings but require careful evaluation of application parameters.