Printing press with on-edge web tension control

1 . A web printing press comprising:

printing units; and

a vacuum cantilever lead roll having a vertical rotational axis.

2 . The web printing press as recited in claim 1 further comprising a vacuum pump attached to the vacuum cantilever lead roll.

3 . The web printing press as recited in claim 1 wherein the vacuum cantilever lead roll has a fixed inner shell and a rotating outer shell.

4 . The web printing press as recited in claim 3 wherein the vacuum cantilever lead roll further includes bearings between the fixed inner shell and the rotating outer shell.

5 . The web printing press as recited in claim 3 wherein the vacuum cantilever lead roll further includes shields between the fixed inner shell and the rotating outer shell.

6 . The web printing press as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

a transducer roll; and

a controller;

the controller receiving an input from the transducer roll; and

the controller controlling a vacuum pressure in the vacuum cantilever lead roll as a function of the input.

7 . The web printing press as recited in claim 1 wherein the transducer roll is upstream of the vacuum cantilever lead roll.

8 . A method for webbing up a web on-edge comprising:

applying vacuum pressure to a web using a vacuum cantilever lead roll; and

pulling the web by hand past the vacuum cantilever lead roll.

9 . A method for holding a web on-edge during printing comprising:

applying vacuum pressure to a web using a vacuum cantilever lead roll;

measuring a web tension; and

controlling the vacuum pressure as a function of the web tension.