Abstract: One or more flatbed trailers, load placement devices and/or collapsible bulkheads are provided. The flatbed trailer may have a lowered center of gravity and may comprise a plurality of load placement devices and a collapsible and/or crushable bulkhead disposed on a deck of the flatbed trailer to provide improved load transportation safety.

Abstract: One or more flatbed trailers, load placement devices and/or collapsible bulkheads are provided. The flatbed trailer may have a lowered center of gravity and may comprise a plurality of load placement devices and a collapsible and/or crushable bulkhead disposed on a deck of the flatbed trailer to provide improved load transportation safety.

Abstract: A low cost electrical discharge texturing machine which can texture work rolls having a broad range of diameters and lengths either on a production or research and development basis. The machine is relatively portable, for example, it can be mounted on a palate, and can be used at any location having an adequate electrical supply. Electrodes are mounted on the machine in a manner which maximizes flexibility in respect of the roll diameters that can be textured. The machine also has adjustable supports for the work rolls which can raise or lower a roll surface relative to the electrodes to provide additional flexibility in the roll dimensions that can be textured. Furthermore, the machine has programmable x-axis drives and these can optionally be used in combination with programmable roll drives.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of texturing the surfaces of work rolls and the rolls produced thereby which are used in the manufacture of sheet metals and other sheet materials. The working surface of each roll is textured in a series of process steps which include the steps of media blasting and controlled surface modification. Media blasting can precede or follow controlled surface modification and intervening process steps can be used. Either or both process steps of media blasting or controlled surface modification can be carried out once or more than once as long as each process step is used at least once. The work rolls produced by the method exhibit improved performance and extended life.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of texturing the surfaces of work rolls and the rolls produced thereby which are used in the manufacture of sheet metals and other sheet materials. The working surface of each roll is processed in a series of steps which include the steps of chrome coating followed by controlled surface modification. Texturing can optionally precede controlled surface modification or chrome coating and intervening process steps can be used. Either or both process steps of chrome coating or controlled surface modification can be carried out once or more than once as long as each process step is used at least once and as long as a controlled surface modification step follows a chrome coating step. The work rolls produced by the method exhibit improved performance and extended life.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of modifying the surfaces of work rolls and the rolls produced thereby which are used in the manufacture of sheet metals and other sheet materials. The working surface of each roll is processed in a series of process steps which include the step of controlled surface modification as an intermediate step. Other process steps can include texturing such as by means of EDT, EBT, laser texturing, media blasting and chrome coating, among others. Controlled surface modification is carried out at least once as an intermediate process step and it can be carried out additionally at other stages such as at the final stage of the roll surface preparation process. The work rolls produced by the method exhibit improved performance and extended life.