Abstract: The method of controlling a velocity dependent factor of strip material being processed in a mill includes the steps of simultaneously determining the apparent velocity of material prior to, between and subsequent to spaced apart work rolls. Input slip is determined by comparing the apparent input velocity with the apparent work roll velocity, and output slip is determined by comparing the apparent output velocity with the apparent work roll velocity. A velocity dependent factor is calculated in response to a comparison of input slip and output slip. The calculated factor is compared with a previously calculated factor and a derived factor is calculated when the calculated factor exceeds the previously calculated factor by more than the selected amount and an adaptive factor used to calculate the derived factor is calculated when the calculated factor does not exceed the previously calculated factor by the selected amount.

Abstract: Driving a dividing shear to a home position after cutting a workpiece is done without oscillations at the home position. Control uses shear position feedback signal to shape nonlinearly a variable shear velocity reference signal such that no overshoot occurs. Adaptive control procedure automatically adjusts variable shear velocity reference signal to compensate for dynamic changes in cutting operation.

Abstract: Driving a dividing shear to a home position after cutting a workpiece is done without oscillations at the home position. Control uses shear position feedback signal to shape nonlinearly a variable shear velocity reference signal such that no overshoot occurs. Adaptive control procedure automatically adjusts variable shear velocity reference signal to compensate for dynamic changes in cutting operation.

Abstract: A tubular cobbler suppressing device for a rolling mill producing rod product of diameter D, wherein there is a preferred relationship among rod product (D), the internal diameter (D.sub.1) of tubular guide members of a pouring reel and internal diameter (D.sub.2) of the cobble suppressing device, such thatD.sub.1 .gtoreq.2.5 D.sub.2 andD.sub.2 >D but .ltoreq.3 D.

Abstract: Driving a dividing shear to a home position after cutting a workpiece is done without oscillations at the home position. Control uses shear position feedback signal to shape nonlinearly a variable shear velocity reference signal such that no overshoot occurs. Adaptive control procedure automatically adjusts variable shear velocity reference signal to compensate for dynamic changes in cutting operation.