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.
Click HERE to subscribe to our Newsletters and Technical Information Bulletins!
FAQ
Webinars
Product Brochures
ShopFloorConnect – full brochure
ShopFlorConnect – two-page explainer
Application Notes – Click Here for list
Dorner Application Notes – Click Here for list
SmartPAC Users Tips – Click Here for list
Resource PDFs – Click Here for list
Safety & OSHA Compliance Information – Click Here for list
Coil Feeding Calculator
Use this Coil Feeding Calculator to determine coil weights and production run time.
Coil Feeding Material Calculator
Rapid-Air Manuals
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.