Abstract: In a rolling mill for following aluminum strip, it is desirable to apply water to the rolls on the entry side of the mill. Water should be kept off the surface of the rolled strip to avoid marking and, to this end, a moisture extraction device is arranged to collect moisture passing between the upper work roll and its back-up roll. The device includes an extractor system connected to a head assembly located in the cusp between the work roll and its back-up roll on the exit side of the mill.

Abstract: To remove moisture from an edge region (5) of moving metal strip (S), apparatus is provided which comprises a hollow housing (7) having a slot (9) in a wall which permits the edge region (5) of the strip (S) to pass through the slot (9), nozzles (19, 21) in the housing (7) direct jets of air on to the upper and lower surfaces of the strip. Any moisture on the strip (S) is blasted off the strip into the housing (7) from where it is exhausted with the air.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying liquid to mill rolls has a bar with two longitudinally extending manifolds. Into the bar are inserted spray nozzles and associated diaphgragm valve structures. One of the manifolds is for the supply of coolant and/or lubricating fluid to the nozzles via the valves. The other manifold has a control fluid (air) under pressure which is used to operate the diaphragm valves to connect or disconnect the supply of coolant/lubricant. To control the control fluid each diaphragm valve unit has a solenoid operated valve for selectively connecting the air at pressure in the second manifold to the diaphragm valve.