Abstract: A rolling mill roll assembly comprising an inner cylindrical mandrel and an outer cylindrical sleeve bonded thereto with glue containing grit particles. Wire is spirally wound around the outside of the mandrel and secured thereto with the glue. The sleeve has an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mandrel plus two times the wire thickness. The grit particles are thicker than the wire. The sleeve is heated to thermally expand the sleeve sufficiently to clear the grit particles when slipped over the mandrel. As the sleeve cools, the wire acts to center the sleeve on the mandrel, and the grit particles, which are harder than both the sleeve interior and the mandrel exterior become embedded in both to enhance the glue bond. The sleeve is substantially devoid of hoop stresses.

Abstract: A metal bar undergoing hot rolling is sheared by a pair of shear knives which form a rounded wedge shape at a downstream end of the bar to minimize split ends and cobbles during the rolling operation. The two knives have respective, mating male and female sections which have peripheral cutting edges defining the rounded wedge shape. The shape and angular parameters of the peripheral cutting edges on the two knives provide a progressive, scissors-like, shearing action along the cutting edges from their upstream ends to their downstream tips.

Abstract: Structure is provided for pivotally mounting a box used to guide a bar through the rolls of a rolling mill. The guide box is aligned with a guide bell, and the two are mounted in such a relation that cobble forces transmitted to the guide bell are absorbed by the mounting structure and are not transmitted to the guide box or to the bearings which mount the guide box for pivotal movement. In its operative position, adjacent the rolling mill rolls, the guide box is accessible for adjustment and most maintenance work, and the upstream and downstream ends of the guide box are readily visible. The guide box may be pivoted away from and returned to precisely the same operative position, time after time.

Abstract: Switching apparatus for hot rolling mill. Alternate hot rolled bars are diverted and guided alternately along respective diverging paths. The paths are defined by opposite sides of a trough and a pivoting knife switch located between the trough sides. Pivotable persuader elements upstream of the knife switch are pivoted to deflect alternate bars toward alternate paths. The knife switch pivots between alternate positions to provide a wide mouth for the path toward which the approaching bar is deflected by the persuader elements and to constrict the other path. The persuader elements block a bar from entering a path toward which that bar is not deflected. Movement of the persuader elements and knife switch, for changing the path of an approaching bar, is relatively slow. No slamming into or squeezing or scratching of bars by the persuader elements or knife switch.