How a Tab Tension System Works

To correctly adjust the batten setting position and side line length on your screen, it may be necessary to loosen the existing side line attachment screws. After the adjustment has been completed, the batten weight will be increased on the screen while decreasing the side line tension.

The tab tension system consists of:

• The black sideline cords on each side of your retractable screen,
• The tabs that attach the cords to each side of the screen, and
• The batten caps with the cord tension adjustment mechanism.

The parts of the tab system function together to improve the overall flatness of the screen primarily in the lower sections of the image area. Looser side cords will result in less tension on the sides of the screen and more tension on the bottom of the screen; while, tighter side cords will result in more tension on the sides of the screen and less tension on the bottom of the screen.   

Tab Tension System	Screen Tab	Batten Cap

Why Adjust Your Tab Tension System 

This procedure can improve the overall flatness of the screen primarily in the lower section of the image area. In many instances, the screen’s factory deployment setting has been reduced at the site and therefore this batten adjustment is necessary.

For this reason, some customers may need to adjust the tab tension system once the new screen has been installed.

Note, the screen may relax even more after a few months due to the forces of gravity and/or depending on the temperature of the room (warmer temperatures will result in greater relaxing of the material).

How to Adjust Your Tab Tensioning System

The objective is to thread the screw into the ferrule just enough to get a very low amount of side line tension (approximately 3 to 4 turns). The side lines will now have less tension which is desirable. The result is that more batten weight will be distributed on the screen once this adjustment is completed. You should see a slight improvement when finished; however, it will take some time for this adjustment to fully take effect (stretching screen) thereby eliminating any wrinkles, waves, or puckers.

1.  Push the ferrule down.
2. Turning the screw counter-clockwise will lengthen the side line, adding batten weight / tension to the screen. Turning it clockwise will shorten the side line and decrease batten weight / tension on the screen.
3. Align the bottom screw to the recessed pocket and release it to move the ferrule back in place and complete adjustment.

IMPORTANT: While you will see a slight improvement when finished however it will take some time for this adjustment to fully take affect (stretching screen) thereby eliminating any wrinkles, waves, or puckers. The Black Top Masking (BTM) is MINIMALLY ADJUSTABLE as a rule. The retractable screen is engineered with a defined amount of BTM. We show 3”, 6”, 9” and 12” in our pricing guide.  But the BTM can be customized to your project's needs. Please note, 12” of BTM is not adjustable to 3” of BTM…” that will cause wrinkling” in the bottom corners of the image. The reason for this is the engineered bowing of the screen sides.  Proper side bowing with the tab-guy wires assures screen flatness. When the BTM is reduced or increased, due to adjustments of the down limit on the retractable roller tube motor, the engineered bowing of the screen is altered.  If altered too much, the screen’s flatness may be less than optimal.