TSU mechanical and electrical engineering students are working together on a machine to automatically align rolls of newsprint that can weight up to six tons. To be used in high-speed presses, the newsprint must have a very precise (clean and square) edge. A small company in Angola (SOS Service) provides edge trimming services; however, the precision alignment of a newsprint roll can take up to 45 minutes. TSU students are designing a fully automatic alignment system in which a laser beam is shot through the core of the newsprint, striking a target that then provides data to a set of motors that can automatically adjust the table supporting the newsprint. The target time to accomplish the automatic alignment is under 60 seconds, a huge improvement over the current alignment time.

Project sponsor: SOS Service, Angola, Indiana

Project advisor: Dr. Scott Kiefer