Metal finish & speciality rollers
Air shafts (pneumatic expanding shafts)
Air shafts grip paper, plastic and metal cores on winding and unwinding stations. Inflating the shaft pushes the lugs out to hold the core; deflating releases it for quick roll changes.
About our air shafts
Shafts are made in MS or aluminium, with rubber, PU or MS lugs and MS end shafts. They are easy to use and a cost-efficient way to cut roll change time on slitters, rewinders, printing and lamination machines.
Send the core inside diameter, shaft length, journal details and roll weight, and the shaft will be built to suit your machine.
Key performance features
- Rubber, PU or MS lugs
- MS end shafts
- Easy to use
- Cost-efficient roll changes
Applications
- Slitters and rewinders
- Printing and lamination unwinds
- Paper and film winding
- Foil converting
Objectives
- Fast core changes
- Secure core grip
- Long service life
How we work
From your old roller or drawing to a roller that runs true
01
Roller review
We check your drawing or old roller, confirm diameter, face length, journals and the hardness you need.
02
Cover selection
A cover compound is proposed for the inks, chemicals and temperatures your roller sees in service.
03
Core and covering
The core is prepared or made new, then the cover is applied without porosity and cured.
04
Grinding and inspection
Ground true to the bearing seats, finished as specified, and checked for hardness and run-out before dispatch.
Industries using air shafts
FAQ
Air Shaft: common questions
Which lug type should I choose?
Rubber lugs are gentle on paper cores; PU lugs wear longer; MS lugs suit heavy rolls and steel cores. Tell us the core material and roll weight.
What details do you need to quote?
A drawing or the old roller, finished diameter, face length, journal details, required hardness in Shore A and what the roller contacts (ink, solvent, adhesive, film, heat). Send these through our request a quote form.
Related rollers
Request a quote for air shafts
Share your roller drawing or sample, required hardness and what it contacts. Our team will recommend a cover and respond with a quotation.