Abstract: Method and means for maintaining uniform thickness and profile of a metal strip during hot rolling in a multi-stand hot rolling mill, comprising a two-position looper located between adjacent mill stands and movable between a strip threading position above the rolling pass line of the mill and a rolling position substantially in the plane of the rolling pass line, and a thickness and profile gage movable out of operative relationship with the looper when the looper is in a threading position and into operative relationship with the looper when the looper is in a rolling position, the gage adapted to project a measuring X-ray beam from the thickness and profile gage onto the strip during rolling and at an angle to the strip of substantially 90.degree., thereby minimizing measurement error due to variable angularity between the X-ray beam and the strip during rolling.

Abstract: An oil applicator for applying a film of oil to a strip of metal has a hollow tubular shaft having a porous, oil absorbent sleeve, with oil sprays spraying oil onto the surface of the sleeve and a vacuum drawn through the hollow of the shaft to draw excess oil through apertures in the shaft wall for collection in a housing. A casing is provided that contains the applicator roll and a slot in the wall of the casing communicates with a duct through which a second vacuum is drawn which removes excess oil that may be applied to the strip of metal and collects the same in a second housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an upper work roll of a rolling mill stand and a strip of metal being rolled has a header to supply a coolant fluid to the work roll and a stripper with a wiper blade that contacts the surface of the work roll between the header and the strip of metal. A fluid cylinder and extension rod cooperate with the stripper to displace the wiper from contact with the upper roll surface and form a gap through which a portion of the coolant fluid flows to contact and cool the strip of metal. A microprocessor and assorted equipment are used to adjust the size of the gap and effect a desired flow of the portion of coolant fluid on to the surface of the strip of metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the productivity of a rolling plant having at least first and second rolling stands by processing a single slab of metal having a thickness, into metal strips having different thicknesses less than the thickness of the slab in accordance with strip output requirements of the rolling plant. The output requirements for strips having at least first and second different thicknesses to be produced by the rolling plant is determined. The slab is then rolled in a first rolling stand to reduce the slab thickness to produce a transfer bar. The transfer bar is sheared into first and second transfer bar portions such that the first and second transfer bar portions are sized to correspond to the output requirements for the first and second strips, respectively. The first transfer bar portion is then rolled in one of the first and second rolling stands to reduce the first transfer bar portion to produce a first strip having a first thickness.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for casting metal strip in a twin roll caster wherein each of the rolls is provided with a surface of convex or concave configuratiion in at least a middle portion of the roll surface. Such surface may be formed mechanically on the roll or the roll may be bent into such configuration by applying bending force to the roll neck, or the roll may be cooled in a pattern forming a thermal crown of such configuration.

Abstract: An improved plate leveller comprising a housing, a rigid top beam and a bottom beam mounted on the housing, a flexible beam disposed between the upper rigid beam and the bottom beam and connected at the ends thereof to secondary bending cylinders mounted on the rigid top beam, upper back-up roll assemblies mounted on the flexible beam, lower back-up roll assemblies mounted on the lower beam, upper and lower work rolls disposed between the back-up roll assemblies, and a primary bending cylinder mounted on the rigid top beam and bearing on an upper surface of the flexible beam and, with the secondary bending cylinders, bending the flexible beam to counteract deflection of the bottom beam under load, thereby to maintain the upper and lower work rolls in parallel relationship to each other and providing uniform dimensions of plate passed therebetween.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cleaning oxide scale from rolling mill rolls comprises a cleaning spray system including a fluid header juxtaposed to a mill work roll and an associated backup roll and a plurality of nozzles equidistantly spaced along the length of the header. High pressure cleaning water sprays, for which water is supplied by a descaling pump when not in use for descaling, are directed onto a work roll, and by rotation of the header, then directed onto the associated backup roll. The water sprays are directed against the rolls at an angle from 3.degree. to 10.degree. for optimum removal of oxide scale. For even restoration of the roll surface, the cleaning spray system periodically during the cleaning operation is shifted axially along the length of the rolls a distance about one-half the spacing between adjacent nozzles.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously measuring the width of a continuously cast steel slab moving along a roller table including a pair of measuring rolls slidably mounted to a guide rail, one on each side of the slab, and further including an air cylinder interconnected between the two measuring rolls adapted to bias the measuring rolls towards each other sufficient to bring them into contact with, and roll against, the slab sides while the slab is in motion, so that the distance between the contacting surfaces of the measuring rolls will be a measure of the slab width. The slidably mounted cylinder permits measuring roll contact with a slab that is not travelling on center of a roller table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact rolling plant and method for using it to manufacture hot rolled metal strip. The rolling mill and method are capable of rolling both thick and thin slabs with minimum delays between slabs. The complete rolling of a bar or a strip below a critical transformation temperature range may be done at any speed without heat losses in unrolled portions of the strip or bar.