Abstract: For economy of operation, as much as possible of the total length of a steel strip being rolled by a Steckel mill should be maintained at an acceptably high temperature. To this end, the trailing edge of the strip is drawn into the coiler furnace to the extent possible without losing driving control of the strip. This is enabled by providing within or in close proximity with the entrance/exit port of the coiler furnace a pair of preferably heated pinch rolls that drive the trailing edge of the strip (that has just completed a pass through the Steckel mill) into the coiler furnace as far as possible, leaving only a very short protruding portion of that trailing edge outside the coiler furnace. The strip may be left idle within the coiler furnace for as long a time as is required to bring the temperature of the wound strip up to a target operating temperature. Then the same pair of pinch rolls in or near the entrance/exit port of the coiler furnace drive the strip out of the furnace toward the Steckel mill.

Abstract: A self-contained unitary assembly for peripheral devices normally located close to a Steckel mill is provided. The assembly has a frame open at both ends to receive and pass through the steel product being rolled. Above and below the pathway for the steel product are located transversely spaced arrays of descaler nozzles and their headers and also controlled cooling nozzles and their headers. Also included within the unitary assembly is the x-ray measuring gauge or other suitable measuring instrument for measuring some characteristic of the steel product. The unitary assembly is positioned between the pinch rolls and the Steckel mill. Protective steel plates or beams are provided running both transversely and longitudinally within the frame for the assembly to provide protection for the nozzles and measuring apparatus. These protective elements also serve to minimize the amount of errant water spray that might otherwise tend to enter the coiler furnace.

Abstract: Modular roll apparatus particularly suitable for conveying hot material such as a sheet of steel being processed. Each roll has its own individual water bath and drive mechanism. A water trough isolates the bath from the bearings and drive mechanism for the roll and bathes the underside of the roll to cool it. The entire modular unit can be removed from its operating position and replaced by a similar such unit. A conveyor containing a multiplicity of such units is suitable for conveying hot sheet steel or other hot material in a processing mill.

Abstract: Coiler furnaces of the type used with reversing rolling mills are provided with a strip guide for guiding the leading edge of the incoming steel strip into engagement with the slot in the winding drum of the coiler furnace. According to the present invention, the strip guide is designed as a dual purpose strip guide provided with a cleaning element (e.g. a scraper blade or abrasive element) fixed to the distal end of the strip guide for contacting and cleaning the exterior cylindrical surface of the winding drum when the coiler furnace is otherwise idle.