Abstract: Strip guiding device for guiding hot metal strip, comprising a frame, a support construction which is accommodated in the frame in such a manner that it can rotate about an axis, drive means for the stepwise rotation of the support construction in the frame, at least two supporting rolls which are rotatably and removably arranged in the support construction, insulating means which are connected to the support construction and are positioned between the supporting rolls, and cooling means for cooling each supporting roll, in which device the cooling means for each supporting roll comprise a cooling body which is connected to the support construction, each cooling body extending in the longitudinal direction of the associated supporting roll, externally delimiting this roll over part of the circumference, and being positioned at a distance from the support roll, each cooling body cooling the associated supporting roll as a result of direct radiation from the said roll.

Abstract: The vertical annealing furnace for the continuous bright annealing of a metal strip guided through the furnace comprises: a vertically disposed muffle having a strip entry side and a strip exit side, the muffle having the freedom to expand in a longitudinal direction, and the muffle being disposed such that the strip entry side is situated at a top side of the muffle and the strip exit side is situated at an underside of the muffle; heating structure for externally heating the muffle; bearing structure for fixedly supporting the underside of the muffle such that it is delimited downwards in the longitudinal direction; an expansion section being provided on the top side of the muffle for taking up thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction of generally the entire muffle; and vertically movable support structure for exerting an upwardly directed support force on the muffle, the vertically movable support structure being connected to an upper part of the muffle.