Abstract: The present invention controls the ever-changing thermal crowns to give good strip shapes during rolling without causing any flaws in the rolled surfaces and with quick responses to ever-changing thermal crowns.

Abstract: The present invention controls the ever-changing thermal crowns to give good strip shapes during rolling without causing any flaws in the rolled surfaces and with quick responses to ever-changing thermal crowns.

Abstract: A pass schedule calculation apparatus calculates pass schedule and inputs the schedule to a preset apparatus which is plate thickness control means. The present apparatus controls a draft motor before rolling to set an appropriate initial roll clearance, and instructs a control target value to a plate thickness control apparatus and rolling speed control apparatus to perform control. A method of determining the pass schedule comprises: obtaining a product of a function which includes a pass rolling parameter and has a correlation of monotonic increase with respect to each pass draft amount, and another function including a rolling parameter which increases with the number of passes; using the product of the functions as a function substantially independent of a rolling speed; solving optimization problem of the parameter for equalizing the function value in the respective passes to calculate each pass draft amount; and using the draft amount as a draft schedule to determine the rolling pass schedule.

Abstract: A cluster type rolling mill comprises a pair of work rolls, intermediate rolls, backing rolls, backing roll chock movable in the up and down directions, intermediate roll chocks held by the backing roll chocks work roll chocks held by the intermediate roll chocks hydraulic cylinders for shifting the intermediate rolls in the axial direction and hydraulic cylinders for applying bending force to the intermediate rolls and work rolls.