The invention concerns an installation comprising a carding machine (1), and a distributor-layer (2) depositing the card (1) web (6) in a reciprocating motion on a delivery belt (8) moving transversely. The resulting intermediate lap (16) is conveyed to a needling loom (3) to produce a consolidated lap (24). A measuring station (28) scans the consolidated lap (24) profile and transmits it to a processing unit (32) where said profile is compared to a set reference input by a terminal (33). The variations in width cause a corresponding modification in the width deposited by the distributor-layer (2) by a link (36). The local surface weight variations cause a corresponding modification of the controls applied to the carding machine (1) capable of longitudinally profiling the web (6). The invention is useful for controlling an installation for obtaining a finished product.