Abstract: For inserting and removing packers into and from a rolling mill stand having roll adjusting hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies in the top of each stand housing, a packer-carrying sledge runs on tracks extending into the stand below the lowermost rolls of the stand. The sledge is located in the stand during rolling and can carry packers which are located operatively between the chocks of the lowermost roll and the housings.

Abstract: In order to thread a frangible strip material such as aluminium foil through a rolling mill stand, the leading end of the strip at the upstream side of the stand is attached over its width to a transverse threading device. The threading device is mechanically propelled through the stand to a downstream coiler location, where the leading end is detached and coupled to the coiler. The threading device either may be drawn through the stand by means of a leader strip which is normally located at the downstream side but which can be passed through the stand and attached to the threading device, or may be pushed by semi-rigid chains which are normally located at the upstream side and which carry the threading device.