Disclosed are examples of a system for regulating the longitudinal strain in a longitudinal member being conveyed in a machine direction. The system may include a downstream mechanism that draws the longitudinal member in a machine direction, first and second control points upstream of the downstream mechanism, and a strain control mechanism disposed between the first and second control points. The strain control mechanism may include a strain motor with a drive shaft to which a travel path extension arm is coupled, and a travel path extension guide mounted on the travel path extension arm and in contact with the longitudinal member. The system may be configured and arranged such that rotation of the drive shaft effects rotation of the travel path extension arm and of the guide, thereby altering the distance of a travel path segment of the longitudinal member between the first and second control points.