Tips

Do you have a customer who wants material on a larger core than you currently process? Do you have a supplier that supplies rolls of material on larger cores than you normally unwind?

Core adapters may be the answer to allow you to occasionally run varying core sizes. Most common core sizes are 3" and 6". Often times you may normally run 3" cores but occasionally may have to run 6". Core adapters come in various designs, each with advantages and disadvantages and costs associated with each type.

Core adapters slide on top of your existing air shaft and allow you to lock larger cores on to the air shaft "base". Some adapters utilize the expansion of the air shaft to activate the locking mechanism of the adapter. These types of core adapters are less expensive, but provide much less torque than an independently activated pneumatic adapter.

Some core adapters lock with built-in bushings to your existing air shaft. They inflate independently of the air shaft to which they are mounted. Their initial cost is higher but they provide very even, high core locking torque. Because they stay locked in place on your air shaft, regardless of whether your air shaft is inflated or not, they are the easiest and fastest to operate, providing very fast return on the initial investment.