Abstract: A shape detection device is incorporated as part of a hot strip reversing mill. The shape detection device is a shape detector roll adapted to contact the metal strip. The shape detector roll is used to provide data to an automated shape control and steering system. Preferably, the hot strip reversing mill includes a pair of hot reversing stands and a pair of coiler furnaces positioned on opposite sides of the pair of mill stands.

Abstract: Large slabs are processed into memory free strip or plate. The large slabs are rolled into strip or plate on a rolling mill with a finishing temperature of above 1340.degree. F. The strip or plate is cooled inline to a temperature in the range of 900.degree.-650.degree. F. with the strip or plate laid out on a flat cooling conveyor. The speed of the strip or plate is slowed to speeds typical of cut-to-length lines. The strip or plate is side trimmed and cut to length and the strip or plate is subsequently stacked.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide a uniform temperature distribution across the width of a metal strip during cooling. The apparatus includes a cooling pipe having nozzles attached thereto. The nozzles are constructed and arranged so that coolant flow is greatest near the center of the strip and smallest furthest from the center of the strip to provide a uniform temperature distribution in the cooled strip.

Abstract: A hot strip mill for reducing metal strip product as the metal strip product is moved through the mill along a pass line includes at least one coiler furnace on one side of the pass line. Each coiler furnace has a coiling unit selectively receiving a strip product from the pass line and at least one drive motor coupled to the coiling unit for rotatably driving the coiling unit. Each drive motor is positioned on the same side of the pass line as the coiler furnace. The drive motor can be easily mounted on a drive motor support above a roller table for the hot strip mill. The drive motor support may be formed as a thermal barrier between the drive motor and the roller table. The present arrangement avoids redesign of the motor room of an existing mill.

Abstract: A shape detection device incorporated as part of a pinch roll assembly in a hot strip reversing mill. The shape detection device replaces one of the rolls in the pinch roll assembly. The shape detection device is used to provide data to an automated shape control and steering system.

Abstract: A strip mill using movable coiling furnaces that are in a first position horizontally aligned with the pass line eliminates the need to deflect the strip into the furnaces. In a second position the movable furnaces are displaced from the pass line to allow strip to pass without obstruction. The roller table is also movable to permit the furnaces to align with the pass line but may be aligned with the pass line when the furnaces are displaced.

Abstract: A drop-out conveyor transports heated slabs from a pusher-type slab reheat furnace to a roller table. The drop-out conveyor comprises at least one reciprocating carriage or slab cart movable between a first slab loading position and a second slab discharge position. A track is provided for supporting each carriage between the loading position and the discharge position. A reciprocating mechanism drives the cart between the first position and the second position. A slab receiving mechanism is attached to the carriage for receiving and transporting the slab thereon. The drop-out conveyor provides for transferring the slab from the slab receiving mechanism to the roller table.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot reversing rolling mill for isothermally reducing a metal strip product. The mill includes a hot reversing mill stand with a pair of coilers positioned on opposite sides of the mill stand. At least one heater is positioned between one of the coilers and the mill stand with at least one strip cooling unit positioned between one of the coilers and the mill stand. A sensor is provided for sensing a strip parameter indicative of strip temperature as well as a controller for controlling each of the heating and cooling units in response to the sensed parameter. The rolling mill of the present invention can be utilized for isothermally rolling multiple passes of a metal strip product on the hot reversing mill.

Abstract: An improved roll shifting system for rolling mills comprising a pair of work rolls positioned on each side of the rolling plane, a pair of upright frame posts defining an opening in which chock guides are mounted facing the opening and chocks on each axial end of each roll. The chock guides have upper and lower leg portions extending outwardly from the frame posts upon which box slides are mounted. Hydraulic pistons and cylinders connected between the distal end of the box slides and the distal end of each leg move the box slides, thus moving the chocks carrying the work rolls.

Abstract: A method of hot rolling steel slabs of thin to standard thickness into hot mill band is carried out on a hot reversing mill having a coiler furnace upstream and downstream of the reversing mill. A twin stand hot reversing mill is used and the slab is introduced into the first stand of the mill without any breakdown pass. Flat passes of the slab back and forth through the first stand and the second stand occur to form an intermediate product having a thickness capable of being coiled. Thereafter, the intermediate product is coiled on one of the upstream or downstream drums. The product is then passed back and forth between the first and second stand in tandem. An edging stand is positioned between the reversing stands to edge the product during the flat passes. The final product is removed from the hot mill band in one of sheet, plate or coil form.

Abstract: A method of processing large slabs into memory free strip or plate comprises the steps of: rolling the large slabs into strip or plate on a rolling mill with a finishing temperature above 1340.degree. F.; in-line cooling the strip or plate to a temperature in the range 900.degree. F. to 650.degree. F. with the strip or plate laid out on a flat cooling conveyor; slowing the speed of the strip or plate to speeds typical of cut-to-length lines; side trimming and/or cutting the strip or plate to lengths at temperatures above 500.degree. F.; cooling the strip or plate to a temperature below 300.degree. F.; and stacking the strip or plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot reversing rolling mill for isothermally reducing a metal strip product. The mill includes a hot reversing mill stand with a pair of coilers positioned on opposite sides of the mill stand. At least one heater is positioned between one of the coilers and the mill stand with at least one strip cooling unit positioned between one of the coilers and the mill stand. A sensor is provided for sensing a strip parameter indicative of strip temperature as well as a controller for controlling each of the heating and cooling units in response to the sensed parameter. The rolling mill of the present invention can be utilized for isothermally rolling multiple passes of a metal strip product on the hot reversing mill.

Abstract: A cold rolling mill and method for cold rolling is disclosed. The cold rolling mill includes at least two tandem four-high reversing mills with at least one tension reel on each side of the tandem mills. Bridle roll units may be positioned on each side of the tandem, reversing mills to allow the cold rolling mill to be utilized as a temper mill.

Abstract: A rolling mill of the present invention includes a mill stand formed by two spaced apart housings. The housings are configured to rotatably hold one of at least two sets of rolls. A hold-down assembly is coupled to the housings. The hold-down assembly includes at least a first pair of hold-down screws and a second pair of hold-down screws. The distance between the screws of the first pair of hold-down screws is less than the distance between the screws of the second pair of hold-down screws. Each pair of hold-down screws is selectively adapted to substantially align with the bearing chocks of an adjacent roll of one of the sets of rolls in the mill stand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a descaling system for hot strip or plate mills. The descaling system includes upper and lower spray headers which are offset from each other along the pass line. Each spray header is adapted to direct a high-pressure water spray on the metal product to descale the upper or lower surface thereof. The upper and lower spray headers are offset at a distance greater than the length of the product, whereby the spray headers can be sequentially, separately used. The spray headers are coupled to a common drive pump.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for rolling hot mill band on a hot reversing mill so as to achieve acceptable finishing temperatures for such a light gauge product. The invention also minimizes the threading of a light gauge product through the mill and decreases the likelihood of cobbles along the runout table.

Abstract: A drop-out conveyor for a pusher-type slab reheat furnace having a sloped dropout is disclosed. The drop-out conveyor comprises a plurality of reciprocating slab carts movable between a first loading position within the furnace and a second discharge position outside of the furnace. A track is provided for supporting each of the carts along the sloped dropout of the furnace between the loading position and the discharge position. A mechanism is provided for reciprocating each cart between the first position and the second position. The present invention additionally includes a device for removing the slabs from the slab cart to a roller table at the discharge position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of making coiled plate, sheet in coiled form or discrete plate. The apparatus is an intermediate thickness slab caster with a slab storage container and inline hot strip and plate line. The apparatus includes a continuous strip caster forming a strand of between 3.5 and 6 inches thick; a cutoff for cutting the strand into a slab of desired length; a slab table; a slab storage container adjacent to the slab conveyor table adapted to selectively receive slabs from the slab conveyor table; a reheat furnace having an entry inline with both the slab conveyor table and the slab collection and storage area for receiving slabs from either; a feed and run back table at the exit of the reheat furnace; a hot reversing mill for reducing the slab to a coiling thickness; a pair of coiler furnaces located on opposite sides of the hot reversing mill; and a finishing line downstream of the pair of coiler furnaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of making coiled plate, sheet in coiled form or discrete plate is shown. The apparatus is an intermediate thickness slab caster and inline hot strip and plate line. The apparatus includes a continuous strip caster forming an intermediate thickness strand; a torch or shear cutoff for cutting the strand into a slab of desired length; a feed and run back table including a slab takeoff operable transverse of the table; a slab collection and storage area adapted to receive slabs from the slab takeoff; a reheat furnace receiving slabs from both the slab takeoff and the slab collection and storage area, with the exit of the reheat furnace at the feed and run back table; a single or twin stand hot reversing mill for reducing the slab to a thickness of 1 inch or less in no more than three flat passes; a pair of coiler furnaces located on opposite sides of the hot reversing mill; and a final processing line downstream of the pair of coiler furnaces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of making coiled plate, sheet in coiled form or discrete plate. The apparatus is a slab caster and inline surface conditioner, hot strip and plate line. The apparatus includes a continuous strip caster forming a strand; a cutoff for cutting the strand into a slab of desired length; a slab conveyor table; a slab conditioning device inline with the slab conveyor table adapted to selectively receive slabs therefrom; a reheat furnace having an entry inline with the slab conveyor table; a feed and run back table at the exit of the reheat furnace; a single or twin stand hot reversing mill for reducing the slab to a coiling thickness; and a pair of coiler furnaces located on opposite sides of the hot reversing mill.