A precise control algorithm for single-span roll-to-roll web system using the back-stepping controller

There are many important applications in printed electronics and publishing industries that use the principle of roll-to-roll manufacturing to make devices at high speeds with lower cost. Web velocity and tension control algorithm plays an important role in improving the quality of product in mass processing of using roll-to-roll web technology. Most algorithms proposed in recent years use PI or PID controllers and disturbance compensation schemes to increase the precision and the stability. Due to the increasing demand of high accuracy in printed electronics industry at micrometer-level, it is necessary to have a precise control scheme of web velocity and tension in the presence of disturbances. In this paper, a precise control algorithm is proposed for non-linear single-span roll-to-roll web control system using the back-stepping controller with the design parameters chosen optimally by using the modified genetic algorithm. The outcome of this study proves the reliability throughout simulation results in Matlab/Simulink and comparison with the existing results employed by PI controllers.