Abstract: A system and method for extending work roll useful life and controlling workpiece profile during thickness gauge reduction of continuous metal strip by axially shifting rotating work rolls during rolling, applying work roll bending forces at locations for maximum leverage and enabling work roll dressing apparatus to be located such that detrimental strip processing conditions of the working zone are not encountering by the dressing apparatus; shortening of work roll length is made possible by the location of the dressing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the production of both discrete metal plate and coiled metal plate products. In a mill having at least two in-line reversing plate mill stands, a reheated slab can be rolled on a first reversing plate mill in several reversing flat passes. The rolled product can then be sent to a second in-line reversing plate mill for additional rolling followed by winding in a downstream coiler. In the present invention, while the rolled product is sent to the second reversing plate mill, a virgin reheated slab can be introduced and rolled on the first reversing plate mill in several reversing flat passes. This product, subsequent to a slab which is rolled and sent to the second reversing plate mill, can be sent upstream along runout tables for further processing in finishing equipment. When the first reversing plate mill is again clear of rolled product, another virgin reheated slab can be introduced to the first mill and the above process can be repeated.

Abstract: A reversing rolling mill for rolling metal strip includes an entry side coiler and an exit side coiler and at least one mill rolling stand including a central roll, an entry side outer roll and an exit side outer roll having their respective longitudinal axes disposed in a first, horizontal, plane and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the central roll, a top outer roll in contact with the central roll, and a bottom outer roll, longitudinal axes of the top outer roll and bottom outer roll being disposed in a second, vertical, plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the central roll and parallel thereto, motors to drive the rolls and rotate the rolls about their respective longitudinal axes, devices to vertically move the central roll and the top outer roll, and devices to move the side outer rolls horizontally and to move the bottom outer roll vertically into and out of rolling contact with the central roll in a lowered position of the central roll.

Abstract: A system and method for improving properties of a metal strip during rolling between rotating upper and lower work rolls in a mill stand, for reducing work roll edge wear, for improving distribution of thermal expansion of the work roll during rolling, for reducing required rolling torque for achieving a particular strip thickness reduction, and for increasing the tonnage of rolled strip between roll changes, by continuously shifting the rotating work rolls during rolling to impart a spiral motion to the work rolls, and by online grinding, heat rehardening and cooling of the work rolls outside the mill stand.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for handling a superlarge coil of metal strip formed from an entire heat of metal and having a coil weight up to about 8000 lbs./in. of coil width, by coiling the strip on a coiling mandrel until the weight approaches that which the mandrel cannot support, then supporting the coil on a plurality of driven rollers disposed in a curved pattern conforming to the shape of the coil and mounted on a vertically and horizontally movable carriage, completing the coiling, and moving the carriage and thereon-supported coil to an uncoiling station and there rotating the driven rollers to unwind the coil preparatory to a further continuous treatment of the strip.

Abstract: A combined work roll crossing, offsetting, bending and work roll axial shifting system for a rolling mill having a housing member on each side and at each end of each work roll, Mae West blocks mounted on the housing members, roll chocks surrounding the ends of the work rolls, a pusher member mounted on each of the Mae West blocks and movable into and out of contact with the corresponding roll chock, a first hydraulic piston/assembly mounted on each of the housing posts and connected to the corresponding pusher member to move the pusher member into contact with a corresponding chock and to effect crossing or offsetting of a corresponding work roll, a pair of roll bending second piston/cylinder assemblies mounted in each Mae West block such that the pistons contact the corresponding roll chocks to move the chocks toward or away from the corresponding work roll when the second cylinders are actuated, a third set of cylinder/piston assemblies mounted in the Mae West blocks for balancing the backup rolls, and a f

Abstract: A method and means for soft cooling a moving heated metal strip comprises forming a descending waterwall extending across the metal strip in a direction perpendicularly to the line of travel of the strip. Air jets, variable in angle to the vertical direction of the descending waterwall, impact the waterwall, converting it to a descending curtain of air-water mist which impinges upon an upper surface of the metal strip to effect soft cooling of the strip.