Abstract: A method for hot rolling and cold rolling metal strip to a finish strip thickness, profile and flatness in a series of rolling mills each having roll bending and roll crossing capabilities to effect a plurality of roll gap profiles. A control method utilizing mathematical models of the roll gap profiles and strip profile is used to select and set the roll bending and roll crossing to a preferred configuration based on secondary effects of possible combinations so as to produce finished metal strip having desired thickness, profile and flatness characteristics.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention is a rolling mill having rolls with inverse symmetrical profiles and a method of using the same. An inverse symmetrical profile is a profile in which the right and left sides of a roll, with respect to the roll center line, have the profiles that are described by the same polynomial function but with opposite signs. A family of metal strip profiles can be created by the method and apparatus of the present invention wherein the family of strip profiles created prior to roll shifting are strip profiles expressed by polynomial functions having terms of the n.sup.th order, where n is preferably 1-5 inclusive, and the family of strip profiles produced by shifting at least one upper roll having an inverse symmetrical profile and at least one lower roll having an inverse symmetrical profile are strip profiles expressed by polynomial functions having terms of the (n-1).sup.th order, where n is preferably 1-5, inclusive.

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 method and apparatus for processing continuously cast thin or intermediate thickness gauge slabs into finished continuous hot-rolled strip in superlarge coil form. Optimum entry speed of continuous cast slabs into the hot rolling mill is enabled and substantially uninterrupted operation of the continuous caster is provided for; problems associated with welded coil ends during subsequent processing are reduced with use of the finished superlarge coils.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for reducing the total number of required rolling passes of a metal strip in a cold rolling mill to achieve a desired strip thickness. This is accomplished by increasing the exit strip tension of the metal up to 85% of the yield strength Y of the metal strip. This increase in exit strip tension allows a manufacturer to process strip in an apparatus at a maximum thickness reduction of about 50 to 55% in a single rolling pass. At the same time, the increased exit strip tension will result in a reduced lever arm of the work roll of the cold rolling mill and will substantially reduce all of the roll separating force, motor torque and roll mill power of the apparatus.

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: 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: In a mill for cross rolling metal strip and having upper and lower work rolls and backup rolls, at least one crossed intermediate roll is disposed between at least one pair of work roll and backup roll.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving an optimum interstand strip tension providing substantially equal loading of adjacent stands of a tandem rolling mill where such optimum tension is determined by the expression ##EQU1## where A1 and B1 are, respectively, the load ratio intercept and the slope of the load ratio versus interstand tension function for a first mill rolling stand, and A2 and B2 are, respectively, the load ratio intercept and the slope of the load ratio versus interstand tension function for an adjacent second mill rolling stand, and whereby the rolling capacity of the mill is substantially fully utilized.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for roll crossing and shifting in which work roll chocks are mounted between Mae West blocks, the chocks and Mae West blocks being provided with opposed contact surfaces defining an angle .beta. to the roll axis, whereby, when the rolls are axially shifted, the rolls also cross, through an angle .alpha., due to forces acting on the chocks as they move along the contact surfaces of the Mae West blocks.

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.

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: 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: 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.