The automatic registration control system of the present invention is a closed loop system including a driving mechanism (10) for feeding a continuous web (12) of disposable absorbent articles, such as diaper pads, toward a cutter (14). The cutter (14) may separate completed pads from the web. A sensor (26) is positioned along the manufacturing line, and preferably preceding the cutter (14), for detecting at least one preselected feature of each diaper pad and producing a detection signal when the feature passes by the sensor (26). A position resolver (32) determines the angular position of the cutter (14) at the moment when the preselected diaper feature is detected, and the average angular position is calculated from a predetermined number of cutter (14) positions. The average cutter (14) position is compared to and subtracted from a target cutter (14) position to produce an error signal. The error signal is then converted into a control signal and supplied to a phase variator (44) which adjusts the position of the cutter (14) in response to the control signal.
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