Apparatus and process for the smoothing of a material web

Abstract

Apparatus and process for smoothing of a material web. The apparatus includes at least one deflection adjustment roll having a soft surface, and at least one heatable endless band having a hard and smooth surface. The at least one heatable endless band is arranged into a band loop having an inner surface. At least one support surface is located within the band loop, and the at least one heatable endless band is guided over the at least one support surface. The at least one deflection adjustment roll and the at least one heatable endless band is arranged to form at least one smoothing zone adapted act on the material web. At least one heating medium supply device is positioned adjacent the inner surface and adapted to heat the inner surface and to create a liquid film for hydrodynamic lubrication between the at least one support surface and the at least one heatable endless band. The process includes positioning the at least one deflection adjustment roll and the at least one heatable endless band to form at least one smoothing zone adapted act on the material web, heating the inner surface with a heating medium, and creating, from the heating medium, a liquid film for hydrodynamic lubrication between the at least one support surface and the at least one heatable endless band.