A web splicing apparatus comprising: a first web unwinding unit configured to hold a first running web material roll and a first new web material roll and to unwind webbing from the first running web material roll, the web splicing apparatus being characterized by further comprising: a second web unwinding unit configured to hold a second running web material roll and a second new web material roll each having a webbing thereon and unwind the webbing from the second running web material roll; and a web splicing unit positioned between the first web unwinding unit and the second web unwinding unit and movable therebetween via translation thereof along a rail extending between the first web unwinding unit and the second web unwinding unit, wherein the web splicing unit is operable with the first and second web unwinding units (40, 42) to selectively splice the webbing of the running web material roll with webbing of the new web material roll, the web splicing unit comprising: a cutting assembly configured to selectively sever the webbing of the running web material roll; a web deflection device; an actuator system configured to linearly translate the web deflection device in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; and a locking mechanism operable in a locked state and an unlocked state to selectively prohibit and enable movement of the web deflection device in the first direction and the second direction. a first web unwinding unit configured to hold a first running web material roll and a first new web material roll and to unwind webbing from the first running web material roll, the web splicing apparatus being characterized by further comprising: a second web unwinding unit configured to hold a second running web material roll and a second new web material roll each having a webbing thereon and unwind the webbing from the second running web material roll; and a web splicing unit positioned between the first web unwinding unit and the second web unwinding unit and movable therebetween via translation thereof along a rail extending between the first web unwinding unit and the second web unwinding unit, wherein the web splicing unit is operable with the first and second web unwinding units (40, 42) to selectively splice the webbing of the running web material roll with webbing of the new web material roll, the web splicing unit comprising: a cutting assembly configured to selectively sever the webbing of the running web material roll; a web deflection device; an actuator system configured to linearly translate the web deflection device in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; and a locking mechanism operable in a locked state and an unlocked state to selectively prohibit and enable movement of the web deflection device in the first direction and the second direction. a second web unwinding unit configured to hold a second running web material roll and a second new web material roll each having a webbing thereon and unwind the webbing from the second running web material roll; and a web splicing unit positioned between the first web unwinding unit and the second web unwinding unit and movable therebetween via translation thereof along a rail extending between the first web unwinding unit and the second web unwinding unit, wherein the web splicing unit is operable with the first and second web unwinding units (40, 42) to selectively splice the webbing of the running web material roll with webbing of the new web material roll, the web splicing unit comprising: a cutting assembly configured to selectively sever the webbing of the running web material roll; a web deflection device; an actuator system configured to linearly translate the web deflection device in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; and a locking mechanism operable in a locked state and an unlocked state to selectively prohibit and enable movement of the web deflection device in the first direction and the second direction. a cutting assembly configured to selectively sever the webbing of the running web material roll; a web deflection device; an actuator system configured to linearly translate the web deflection device in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; and a locking mechanism operable in a locked state and an unlocked state to selectively prohibit and enable movement of the web deflection device in the first direction and the second direction.