Auto Rewind Feature Speeds Coil Changeover in Cut-to-Length and Blanking Lines!

Coe Press Equipment has introduced a new automatic rewind feature designed to significantly reduce coil changeover time in cut-to-length and blanking lines, addressing one of the most persistent inefficiencies in material handling operations.

In conventional setups, long rewind and pullback distances between the coil reel and the shear can slow down production and complicate line layout, often requiring multicoil stations and extended downtime during coil changes. Coe’s new solution automates this process, allowing manufacturers to complete end-of-batch operations faster while minimizing wasted motion and operator intervention.

The system uses an encoder mounted on the straightener to precisely track how much material has been processed during a run. In addition, an extra crop shear has been integrated at the straightener entrance, enabling controlled material handling at the end of each batch. Together, these elements allow the line to manage remaining material automatically once a job is complete.

To initiate the process, the operator simply inputs the required number of blanks and the blank length. From there, the system manages the entire end-of-batch sequence without manual adjustments. The material is first cropped at the straightener entrance, after which the system consumes the remaining slack loop. The threading table then engages, allowing the line to finish processing the final blanks through the feed and shear in a controlled manner.

Once the batch is complete, the remaining material is automatically rewound back onto the coil from the crop shear location. This automated rewind allows the operator to begin changing the next coil in parallel, rather than waiting for lengthy manual pullback operations to finish. By rewinding only a short length of material—typically just a few feet instead of the 50 to 100 feet or more common in traditional systems—the feature dramatically reduces idle time.

The result is a much faster and more efficient coil changeover process. In many cases, the reduced pullback distance eliminates the need for multicoil stations altogether, simplifying line configuration and lowering overall system cost and floor space requirements. For manufacturers running high-mix or short production batches, the improvement can translate directly into higher uptime and increased throughput.

With this automatic rewind feature, Coe Press Equipment is targeting manufacturers looking to streamline material handling, reduce non-productive time, and improve overall line efficiency without adding unnecessary complexity. The solution reflects a growing emphasis on automation at the process level, where incremental improvements can deliver substantial gains in productivity and operational flexibility.