PURPOSE: To set the quantity of variation in winding tension to a required curve with ease by generating the reference output signal of tension from both the outputs of more than one variable resistor for setting the quantity of variation in winding tension corresponding to winding diameter, and a winding diameter signal at that time.

CONSTITUTION: A winding tension signal generating device 1 has an operating panel 2 as an input part, which has a grid scale 3, in which a tension scale 4 is provided as vertical axes and a winding diameter scale 5 is provided as horizontal axes. The quantity of variation in the tensile scale 4 is indicated as percentage, while the winding diameter in the winding diameter scale 5 is arranged to be each unit of 10cm., and slits 6 in the direction of vertical axis are formed on each winding diameter scale 5 of said unit length, and a knob 8 for a sliding variable resistor 7 is provided on each slit 6. The output signal of a winding diameter detecting means (a division unit) is inputted in this device 1, and the output signal, i.e., a tension reference signal, of the variable resistor 7, corresponding to the winding diameter at that time with respect to momentarily changing winding diameter, is outputted to a CPU13.