Coupling between out-of-plane displacement and lateral stability of webs in air-support ovens

In drying ovens where the web zig-zags over and under air-support bars, the web sometimes drifts to one side or the other until it runs into the oven wall. This divergence is shown to be coupled to out-of-plane displacements in the form of lateral tilting of the web where it curves over the air-support bars. Limiting these out-of-plane displacements is necessary in order to prevent excessive lateral divergence and the resulting damage to the web and its coating. Air-bar characteristics which control out-of-plane displacements are identified.Mechanical and Aerospace Engineerin