Abstract: For use in a rolling mill, a deformable, deflection roll with a continuous, unitary surface and a system for detection of roll deflection when a strip of sheet material is passed over the roll. The roll construction may include a dimpled or perforated surface or a multilayered roll may be provided of appropriate materials. The deflection detection system typically employs an optical scanning technique.This invention relates to the processing of metal strip particularly that which has been reduced to its final thickness by cold rolling. Ideally, metal strip should be of constant thickness throughout and should also be completely flat. This flatness should also be retained even after the strip is sheared or slit into smaller portions, for this operation frequently releases residual stresses in the metal.In practice strip flatness is extremely difficult to accomplish, and there is a tendency to overroll portions of the strip giving rise to the formation of centre or edge waves.