Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the flow of cooling water to the top of a hot metal strip on a runout table is disclosed. Cooling water is continuously discharged from nozzles in spray bars above the strip and cooling is controlled by selectively diverting the water from selected ones of the spray bars to control the volume and location of the water applied. Movable deflector plates are mounted adjacent predetermined spray bars and actuators are provided to selectively move the deflector plates to deflect water into a fixed trough to be diverted from the top of the strip.

Abstract: A rolling mill stand has upper and lower work rolls supported in chocks which include liner plates on their side faces for bearing against the side faces of the mill stand housing, with the side faces of the chocks being shaped so that the liner plates on both the upper and lower work roll chocks extend both above and below the pass line defined by the work rolls. Projections on one chock and its liner plates extend into corresponding recesses on the other chock and its liner plates so that portions of liner plates on the two chocks extend in generally side-by-side relation in a region extending across the pass line.