Abstract: Methods to drive material conditioning machines are described. An example method includes determining a first torque of a first roller of a material conditioning machine through which the strip material moves, calculating a second torque of a second roller of the material conditioning machine based on a relationship between the second torque and the first torque, and maintaining the relationship between the second torque and the first torque by adjusting the second torque after a change in the first torque.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a continuous strip material positioned between an entry and an exit of an apparatus. A sensor determines a measured distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a reference location, where the sensor is downstream from the exit of the apparatus. A controller determines a difference value between the measured distance and a predetermined distance to detect material curvature in the strip material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a continuous strip of material positioned between an entry and an exit of an apparatus. A sensor is positioned downstream from the exit of the apparatus. The sensor measures a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a predetermined reference. The sensor measures a second distance between the upper surface of the strip material and the predetermined reference. The first and second distances is measured at at least one of two different locations or two different instances in time as the strip material exits the apparatus. A controller compares the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature or longbow in the strip material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a plunge depth position of material conditioning machines are disclosed. An example method incrementally adjusting a first plunge depth position of a first adjustable work roll and a first fixed work roll between an initial first roll plunge depth position and a final first roll plunge depth position. The method includes incrementally adjusting a second plunge depth position of a second adjustable work roll and a second fixed work roll between an initial second roll plunge depth position and a final second roll plunge depth position. The method includes measuring first pressure values of a first actuator associated with the first adjustable work roll at each incremental first plunge depth position, identifying a first relative minimum pressure value of the measured first pressure values, and determining a first incremental plunge depth position corresponding to the first relative minimum pressure value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a plunge depth position of material conditioning machines are disclosed. An example method for setting a plunge depth of a leveler includes incrementally adjusting, via an actuator, a first work roll relative to a second work roll between a plurality of incremental plunge depth positions; measuring a pressure value in the actuator at the respective incremental plunge depth positions; associating the measured pressure values with the corresponding incremental plunge depth positions; detecting a smallest one of the measured pressure values; and identifying a first one of the incremental plunge depth positions corresponding to the smallest one of the measured pressure values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine a plunge depth position of material conditioning machines are disclosed. An example method for setting a plunge depth of a leveler includes incrementally adjusting, via an actuator, a first work roll relative to a second work roll between a plurality of incremental plunge depth positions; measuring a pressure value in the actuator at the respective incremental plunge depth positions; associating the measured pressure values with the corresponding incremental plunge depth positions; detecting a smallest one of the measured pressure values; and identifying a first one of the incremental plunge depth positions corresponding to the smallest one of the measured pressure values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes coupling a feedback unit to a first material conditioner. The first material conditioner includes a first sensor and a second sensor, where the first and second sensors are located along a width of a first material moving through the first material conditioner, a first adjustable backup bearing and a second adjustable backup bearing. The disclosed example method also includes mapping the first sensor to the first adjustable backup bearing, where the first sensor corresponds to a first longitudinal zone located along a width of the first moving material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a continuous strip material positioned between an entry and an exit of an apparatus. A sensor determines a measured distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a reference location, where the sensor is downstream from the exit of the apparatus. A controller determines a difference value between the measured distance and a predetermined distance to detect material curvature in the strip material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a continuous strip of material positioned between an entry and an exit of an apparatus. A sensor is positioned downstream from the exit of the apparatus. The sensor measures a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a predetermined reference. The sensor measures a second distance between the upper surface of the strip material and the predetermined reference. The first and second distances is measured at at least one of two different locations or two different instances in time as the strip material exits the apparatus. A controller compares the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature or longbow in the strip material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes coupling a feedback unit to a first material conditioner. The first material conditioner includes a first sensor and a second sensor, where the first and second sensors are located along a width of a first material moving through the first material conditioner, a first adjustable backup bearing and a second adjustable backup bearing. The disclosed example method also includes mapping the first sensor to the first adjustable backup bearing, where the first sensor corresponds to a first longitudinal zone located along a width of the first moving material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a strip material. A first sensor detects a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a first reference location and a second sensor detects a second distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a second reference location. A controller determines a difference value between the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature of the strip material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of sensors located along a width of a moving material. Each of the plurality of sensors corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of longitudinal zones located along a width of the moving material. The apparatus also includes a material condition monitor configured to determine the condition of the moving material, and a feedback unit coupled to the material condition monitor and configured to be coupled to a plurality of different types of material conditioners. The feedback unit is configured to map each of the plurality of sensors to at least a respective one of a plurality of adjustable backup bearings based on being coupled to any one of the material conditioners.

Abstract: Methods to drive material conditioning machines are described. An example method includes determining a first torque of a first roller of a material conditioning machine through which the strip material moves, calculating a second torque of a second roller of the material conditioning machine based on a relationship between the second torque and the first torque, and maintaining the relationship between the second torque and the first torque by adjusting the second torque after a change in the first torque.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to drive material conditioning machines are described. An example apparatus includes a first plurality of work rolls to process a strip material and a second plurality of work rolls to process the strip material. The example apparatus also includes a motor to drive the second plurality of work rolls. The motor is to apply a first rolling torque to the second plurality of work rolls that is different than a second rolling torque applied to the first plurality of work rolls.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a strip material. A first sensor detects a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a first reference location and a second sensor detects a second distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a second reference location. A controller determines a difference value between the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature of the strip material.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of sensors positioned across a width of a strip material, each of the plurality of sensors corresponding to a different one of a plurality of longitudinal zones along the width of the strip material. The example apparatus also includes a material condition monitor to determine a plurality of wave heights of the strip material based on information received from the plurality of sensors. Each of the wave heights corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal zones. The material condition monitor is also to determine whether a measured portion of the strip material is substantially flat based on a comparison of each of the wave heights to a threshold value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to drive material conditioning machines are described. An example apparatus includes a first plurality of work rolls to process a strip material and a second plurality of work rolls to process the strip material. The example apparatus also includes a motor to drive the second plurality of work rolls. The motor is to apply a first rolling torque to the second plurality of work rolls that is different than a second rolling torque applied to the first plurality of work rolls.