Abstract: In a level control method of controlling levels of a series of mutually joined materials when the materials pass through a catenary zone, whenever the joint travels a given length in the catenary zone, a plurality of optimum catenary curves are calculated with the position of the joint in the catenary zone as a parameter. Based upon a result of the calculation so obtained, a relationship indicative of the level of a material at the location of a catenary sensor is then calculated as a function of the position of the joint in the catenary zone. At this moment, the catenary sensor is used to detect the level of the material. Finally, the level of the material at the location of the catenary sensor is controlled with a value indicated by the above relationship being used as a target value. As a result, even when a joint between two adjoining materials having different unit weights passes through the catenary zone, the materials can travel in the catenary zone while the level is appropriately maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the temperature of a joining area between two different strip materials in a continuous strip processing line. In the case where a strip material after the joining area requires a nozzle pressure greater than that of a preceding strip material, the opening of a damper is initially gradually throttled, at a timing before the joining area passes through a predetermined location in a treating furnace, by an amount required for changing the nozzle pressure so that an optimum pressure of the preceding strip material is changed so that of the following strip material. The rotational speed of a recirculation fan is then raised to keep the nozzle pressure substantially constant, and the damper is rapidly opened to the opening before the throttling at a time the joining area passes through the predetermined location.

Abstract: A coater gap control arrangement for controlling the thickness of a film of coating to be formed on a workpiece is provided in a coater, which is equipped with a base, a back-up roll rotatably mounted on one end portion of the base for transporting the workpiece, a coater body slidably mounted on the base and a coater head securely mounted on the coater body for supplying the coating material onto the surface of the workpiece. The coater gap control arrangement is comprised of a position control motor securely mounted on the base for moving the coater body back and forth with respect to the back-up roll to control the position of the coater body, a non-contact type distance meter securely mounted on the coater body for measuring the distance up to the surface of the workpiece, and a processor for controlling the position control motor on the basis of a signal from the distance meter so that a predetermined distance may be kept at all times between the coater head and the workpiece.