Abstract: An automatically controlled multi-roll precision leveler for flattening a strip of material, such as a metal strip. A metal strip product may be fed into the leveler, typically from a coil. The leveler uses multiple work rolls to flatten the strip as it passes through a leveling section of the leveler. Upon exiting the leveling section of the leveler, the metal strip product passes over a shape sensor. The shape sensor may be divided into a plurality of individual measurement zones, each having one or more measurement segments. The shape sensor measures the shape error in the metal strip, which shape error is the result of stresses present in the strip. The shape error measurements are used by the shape control system of the leveler to automatically and continuously adjust the leveling parameters of the leveler. The control system attempts to operate the leveler, such that a shape error measurement of zero will be detected by the shape sensor—at which point the metal strip product will be flat.