Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device of inspection of a rolled band, wherein a band sample (M) is inspected on a first face then turned over for the inspection of a second face. According to the invention, by running parallel to its longitudinal axis, the band sample (M) is brought between two spaced apart grips (6, 6?) (7, 7?) which are clamped respectively on each transversal end (M1, M2) of the sample (M), both grips (6, 6?) (7, 7?) are spaced apart longitudinally from one another so as to stretch the sample for visual inspection of a first face, then the sample is turned over, by simultaneous rotation of both grips (6, 6?) (7, 7?) around the longitudinal axis O, while holding the tension applied, so as to proceed to the inspection of the second face, such tension being sufficient to conduct the inspection without the sample contacting a table. The invention enables, in particular, the inspection of a band at the exit of a continuous rolling line.

Abstract: A device for the laser weld joining of sheet metal strips includes the following elements: a main frame, a laser welding unit including a laser beam generator for welding the sheet metal strips to be joined and a welding head, a clamping jaw unit supported by the frame and used to clamp the sheet metal strips, and a shearing unit for shearing the head and tails of the sheet metal strips to be joined. The shearing unit includes upper blades mounted to a blade holder and lower blades which can move in relation to the upper blades and which are designed to shear a strip, as well as a blade connecting structure fixed to the frame, the above-mentioned welding head being mobile between the blade holder and the lower blades.

Abstract: An optical method and device for detecting surface and structural defects of a traveling hot product, such as flat metal products during hot rolling, is disclosed. The optical method includes using images of the product from a camera and formed for one part by light for which the wavelength is in the infrared region and for another part by light for which the wavelength is in the visible spectrum. Detection of the images is provided by several linear sensors, each of them being associated with the detection of one image, each located in a different focal plane associated with each wavelength range so as to obtain superposable images. The light forming a portion of the images is sent onto the surface of the traveling product.

Abstract: A method regulating flatness of a metal strip at a roll housing output including at least one dynamic flatness actuator. A rolling process characterizes flatness of the strip by measuring a quantity D in n points distributed across the strip width, from n measurements of the quantity D. Then, using an action model of flatness regulation and an optimizing method, an overall setpoint including at least one elementary setpoint is determined for the dynamic actuator, such that a calculated flatness residual defect criterion is minimal, and executing the overall setpoint. The action model on the flatness used for determining the overall setpoint includes, for the dynamic actuator, as many submodels as there are points for measuring the quantity D characteristic of flatness, each submodel enabling the effect of the dynamic actuator on the quantity D to be calculated at the corresponding point when a setpoint is applied thereto.

Abstract: A method and an installation are used for inspecting a surface of a coiled metal strip, wherein the coil to be inspected is unwound along a moving plane so as to cause at least part of the strip to move to a position for inspecting the surfaces. Accordingly, the method consists in moving the part of the strip to be inspected along a substantially vertical inspection plane, between an unwinding device and a winding device arranged on two vertically spaced apart levels on either side of an intermediate inspection level. Thus, the inspection is visually performed on both surfaces of the strip by an operator moving about on a floor at the intermediate inspection level.

Abstract: Process for lighting in cold light of a scrolling product for the acquisition of images by linear digital cameras for a fault detection system, by a device comprising a light source constituted by high-power light-emitting diodes. According to this process, the light-emitting diodes are arranged in at least one row, aligned according to equal intervals, in a housing constituting a type of light box with reflecting walls, slight diffusion is produced from the light coming from the light-emitting diodes by a film closing the light box and the light beams exiting from the light box are concentrated by a reflecting device into a flat and narrow lighting spot beam, whereof the width is substantially equal to the length occupied by the alignment of the diodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for increasing the range of production of an installation for cold rolling of metallic strip, consisting of at least two rolling stands operating in tandem. According to the invention, at least one of the rolling stands is equipped with means of converting the stand configuration, while keeping the same means of applying the rolling force, in order to have at least two configurations available, each corresponding to one production range, and the configuration of said convertible stand is selected to match the data of the product (M) to be rolled, thus allowing the production range to be increased.

Abstract: A method of increasing control precision of a path of a product in a leveling machine including: a fixed support cage; two leveling assemblies with parallel rollers, which are placed above and below the strip respectively; devices necessary to adjust the interlocking of the rollers; a mechanism for measuring leveling forces at least of two sides of the machine; and a theoretical pre-setting model. The method directly measures at least one value for the spacing of the leveling rollers, which is compared to reference values, and uses the members for adjusting the position of the leveling rollers to maintain the measured values equal to the reference values. The method is particularly suitable for machines used to level flat metal products.

Abstract: Method for changing working rolls of a roll stand provided with a roll displacement device located on the first side of the stand moving a roll along a loading axis (C, C?). Each has fastening means at a first end towards the first side and matching fastening means at a second end towards the second side of the stand opposite to the first side. Matching fastening means are on the displacement device. The substitute roll can be placed on either side of the stand. The displacement device operates by pulling when the substitute roll is on the second side simultaneously extracting the roll to be replaced towards the first side and loading the substitute roll from the second side; and, vice versa, by pushing when the substitute roll is on the first side of the stand. The various fastening means and matching fastening means are respectively coupled and decoupled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for winding a band into a coil on a chuck driven into rotation around its axis, by means of a winding assembly including a roll (3) for applying the band (1), by an internal face (11), to the chuck (2) means (62) for pushing the roll (3) towards the chuck (2) and a bending plate (4) having a curved face (40) for guiding the band (1) along the external face (20) of the chuck (2).

Abstract: A cooled mandrel for winding a band-type product into a coil, including a set of adjacent segments mounted to slide radially on a central shaft and fitted each of a cooling circuit having two orifices, respectively an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice, connected each, by a connection fitting having a variable length, to a supply or exhaust duct, respectively of a heat exchanging fluid. The linking fittings corresponding to each segment are connected to a distribution part threaded on a lateral face of the shaft, wherein both ducts emerge transversally, respectively of the supply duct and the exhaust duct, which are arranged inside the central shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for changing the configuration of a rolling mill including at least two working rolls and two back-up rolls, means for applying a clamping load and two sets of hydraulic cambering cylinders, at least of both working rolls. According to the invention, at least two types of working rolls (C1, C2) are realized having, respectively a great diameter and a small diameter and the quarto configuration rolling mill is switched to a sexto configuration and conversely, the rolls with great diameter (C1, C?1) being used as working rolls in the quarto configuration and, in the sexto configuration, as intermediate rolls between each back-up roll and a roll with small diameter (C2, C?2) used as a working roll.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for stabilizing high speed running along a longitudinal direction, of a band (4) applied on a rotary surface (3) and along which a portion of the surrounding air forms a boundary layer (43) trapped with the band (4). According to the invention, a deflecting member (5) is placed in the dihedron (G) between the band (4) and the rotary surface (3). Said deflecting member (5) has a face (50) directed toward the band which is tilted with respect thereto and is fitted with at least one orifice (55) emerging into an inner space (51) provided inside said deflecting member (5) and connected to an outer zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a machine for temper rolling a metal band including at least two temper rolling units E, E? each carrying an active cylinder (2) and a set (7, 70) of back-up members mounted rotatably on a transversal chassis (1), and means for displacement vertical of each temper rolling unit (E) between a resting position and a temper rolling position for which the active cylinder is applied to the band while bearing, on the opposite side, on its back-up members (7) whereas each active cylinder (2, 2?) may be brought into rotation around its axis, in its position away from the band, at an angular speed corresponding to the running speed of the band.