Abstract: In this invention, a back end portion of a preceding sheet bar and a front end of a succeeding sheet bar are cut in a transfer line at an entrance side of a finish rolling mill so that at least both side edge regions of these sheet bars are contacted with each other at a butted contact state thereof and a gap is formed between both end portions and then portions to be joined int he preceding and succeeding sheet bars are locally heated and pushed to join them while gradually enlarging a joining area, whereby the required time is largely reduced as compared with the conventional technique and also it is attempted to miniaturize the heating apparatus and shorten the length of the apparatus.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an apparatus for and a method of electrical inductance heating of metal strips and slabs. The heating method involves a plurality of pairs of individual electrical coils exposed on opposite sides of a path of movement of a metal strip or slab wherein the coils are elongated longitudinally of the path of movement of the metal member, such as a strip or slab, whereby the pattern of heating is in the way of stripes. Further, to eliminate any pulsing of current within the strip or slab being heated, each coil is spaced from a transversely adjacent coil a distance corresponding substantially to the effective heating width of that coil. The coils of a next longitudinal adjacent set of coils are transversely offset relative to the coils of the first mentioned set of coils so that each coil of the second set is aligned with a space between coils of the first set. This provides for a heating of the strip or slab in stripes and prevents overheating of the edges of the strip or slab.