Abstract: A rolling mill control system and method includes use of sensors located between rolling mill stands to directly measure metal sheet or plate flatness, thickness profile, position, and the camber of the rolls in the mill. A feedback loop control system adjusts or adapts rolling mill control mechanisms to control the rolling process.

Abstract: First drive roller and second drive roller are coplanar and adjustable about an axis to increase or decrease the distance between the same to accommodate varying thicknesses in material. A first shaping roller and a second shaping roller that are also coplanar are provided with ends tiltable on an axis with respect to each other. While the first drive roller and the second drive roller remain parallel with respect to each other, the first shaping roller and the second shaping roller are not constrained in a parallel orientation, but rather can tilt with respect to each other to form sheet metal with complex shapes.

Abstract: A method for tuning flatness control for rolling a strip in a mill including rolls controllable by means of a plurality of actuators, which mill is modeled by means of a mill matrix. The method includes: a) obtaining an equivalent movement range for each actuator, b) determining a scaled mill matrix by scaling the mill matrix based on the equivalent movement ranges, and c) obtaining a singular value decomposition of the scaled mill matrix for providing flatness control of the strip by means of the actuators. A computer program and a control system for carrying out the above method are also presented herein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conditioning machines are disclosed herein. An example system includes a plurality of work rolls to process a strip material. A first sensor detects a first distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a first reference location and a second sensor detects a second distance between an upper surface of the strip material and a second reference location. A controller determines a difference value between the first distance and the second distance to detect material curvature of the strip material.

Abstract: Controlling a flatness of a first surface of a sheet material can include: (a) determining a first surface contour of the first surface of the sheet; (b) applying compressive stresses to one or more portions of the first surface of the sheet after the determination of the first surface contour of the sheet; (c) annealing compressive stresses in one or more portions of the first surface of the sheet after the determination of the first surface contour of the sheet; (d) determining a second surface contour of the first surface of the sheet after the compressive stresses have been applied to, and annealed from, the sheet; (e) comparing the second surface contour to a threshold flatness; and (f) performing (b)-(e) one or more times until the determined second surface contour is less than the threshold flatness.

Abstract: A rolling train for rolling a strip has a number of rolling stands and a coiler. The rolling stands have work and backing rolls. Data of the strip are fed to a control device of the rolling train which determines individual pass reductions for the rolling stands based on the data. It controls the main rolling stands and the coiler such that the strip is rolled in the main rolling stands according to the individual pass reductions and then coiled up. It determines the individual pass reductions such that they are zero and controls the rolling stand arranged directly upstream of the coiler such that—with respect to this main rolling stand—the tension in the strip on the outlet side is less than on the inlet side, but the strip runs through this rolling stand without undergoing any forming, at least on one side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the providing of a rolling mill that makes it possible to more accurately control the shape of a plate material than has hitherto been possible, and to a rolling method, and is a rolling mill that rolls a plate material using vertical work rolls, and that includes: a coolant jet spray unit that has a plurality of nozzles that are arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction of the rotation axis of the work rolls, and that sprays jets of coolant from the respective nozzles onto the work rolls; a roll temperature estimation unit that estimates a mean temperature of the work rolls; a coolant temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the coolant; a shape detection unit that detects the shape in the width direction of the rolled plate material; a shape deviation calculation unit that calculates an amount of deviation between a plate material shape detected by the shape detection unit and a target shape; and a shape control unit that controls the shape of the

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of sensors positioned across a width of a strip material, each of the plurality of sensors corresponding to a different one of a plurality of longitudinal zones along the width of the strip material. The example apparatus also includes a material condition monitor to determine a plurality of wave heights of the strip material based on information received from the plurality of sensors. Each of the wave heights corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal zones. The material condition monitor is also to determine whether a measured portion of the strip material is substantially flat based on a comparison of each of the wave heights to a threshold value.

Abstract: An elongated workpiece is treated, e.g. rolled, in a production system where treatment devices move the workpiece longitudinally in a horizontal travel direction and at a generally constant travel speed along a horizontal longitudinal path and a control computer is connected to the treatment devices. Straightness of the workpiece is measured by gripping the workpiece at a pair of longitudinally spaced supports, applying tension to a longitudinally extending horizontal portion of the workpiece between the supports, and continuously moving the workpiece in the travel direction at the travel speed with a lower surface of the portion substantially unsupported. At least periodically a vertical spacing is measured between the portion and a straight longitudinal reference line extending in the direction between the supports parallel to the workpiece at the supports. The vertical-spacing measurement are fed to the computer for use controlling the devices.

Abstract: A device and method for prediction and/or control of the profile and/or shape of rolled metal strip. The device and method are compatible with both cluster-type and non cluster-type mills. The device and method employ a customized deflection model of the rolling mill, thereby combining the advantages of well-known finite element method with other relevant methods to allow real-time operation of the rolling mill without the computational complexities of such methods. In one form, the customized deflection model helps to obtain a compact, linear, and flexible analytical model with non-iterative solution, multiple continuous elastic foundations, third-order displacement fields, simple stress-field determination, and capability to compute dynamic deflection characteristics.

Abstract: A shape detection device capable of detecting meandering of a strip with high accuracy and a method thereof. The device includes a plurality of split rolls provided in a width direction of a rolling material; a table which guides the rolling material and which is rotatably supported; a fixing member supported by the table; torque detectors for separately detecting loads acting on both ends of the split rolls when the rolling material comes in contact with the split roll as moments; supporting arms of which one end rotatably supports the split roll and the other end is supported by the fixing member through the torque detectors; a meandering amount computing unit for computing a meandering amount of the rolling material using the moments detected by the torque detectors, and a plate shape computing unit for computing a plate shape of the rolling material using the moments and the meandering amount.

Abstract: A method and a device for optimization of flatness control in the rolling of a strip using any number of mill stands and actuators. A mill model is used represented by a mill matrix that includes information of the flatness effect of each actuator. Each actuator's flatness effect is translated into a coordinate system having a dimension less than or equal to the number of actuators used. The actual flatness values are monitoring/sampling across the strip. A vector of the flatness error/deviation is computed as the difference between the monitored/sampled strip flatness and a reference flatness vector. The flatness error is converted into a smaller parameterized flatness error vector. A dynamic controller is used to calculate optimized actuator set-points in order to minimize the parameterized flatness error, thereby achieving the desired strip flatness. Also a system for optimization of flatness control in rolling a strip.

Abstract: A device and method for prediction and/or control of the profile and/or shape of rolled metal strip. The device and method are compatible with both cluster-type and non cluster-type mills. The device and method employ a customized deflection model of the rolling mill, thereby combining the advantages of well-known finite element method with other relevant methods to allow real-time operation of the rolling mill without the computational complexities of such methods. In one form, the customized deflection model helps to obtain a compact, linear, and flexible analytical model with non-iterative solution, multiple continuous elastic foundations, third-order displacement fields, simple stress-field determination, and capability to compute dynamic deflection characteristics.

Abstract: A device and method for prediction and/or control of the profile and/or shape of rolled metal strip. The device and method are compatible with both cluster-type and non cluster-type mills. The device and method employ a customized deflection model of the rolling mill, thereby combining the advantages of well-known finite element method with other relevant methods to allow real-time operation of the rolling mill without the computational complexities of such methods. In one form, the customized deflection model helps to obtain a compact, linear, and flexible analytical model with non-iterative solution, multiple continuous elastic foundations, third-order displacement fields, simple stress-field determination, and capability to compute dynamic deflection characteristics.

Abstract: A method and a device for optimization of flatness control in the rolling of a strip using any number of mill stands and actuators. A mill model is used represented by a mill matrix that includes information of the flatness effect of each actuator. Each actuator's flatness effect is translated into a coordinate system having a dimension less than or equal to the number of actuators used. The actual flatness values are monitoring/sampling across the strip. A vector of the flatness error/deviation is computed as the difference between the monitored/sampled strip flatness and a reference flatness vector. The flatness error is converted into a smaller parameterized flatness error vector. A dynamic controller is used to calculate optimized actuator set-points in order to minimize the parameterized flatness error, thereby achieving the desired strip flatness. Also a system for optimization of flatness control in rolling a strip.

Abstract: A metallic strip edge flatness monitoring system for a rolling mill has one or more thermal imaging devices (105) arranged to monitor temperature or temperature variances across at least one region of interest (108, 115) in the rolling mill. The monitored temperature or temperature variances are input to a flatness control system (107) and a control signal is generated in the flatness control system to modify actuation of actuators (106) in the rolling mill. The region of interest (108, 115) has a width of less than half the width of the metallic strip (101) and has a region on each side of the strip. The total width monitored is less than half the total width of the metallic strip.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring and adjusting the evenness and/or tension of a stainless steel strip (1) during cold rolling in a 4-roll stand (2) provided with at least one control loop (4) comprising several actuators (3), resulting in more precise measurement and adjustment due to the fact that an evenness defect (10) is determined by comparing a tension vector (8) with a predefined reference curve (9), whereupon the characteristic of the evenness defect (10) along the width of the strip is broken down into proportional tension vectors (8) in an analysis building block (11) in a mathematically approximated manner and the evenness defect proportions (C1 . . . Cx) determined by real numerical values are supplied to respectively associated control modules (12a; 12b) for actuation of the respective actuator (3).

Abstract: A method and a lubricant application device for regulating the flatness and/or roughness of a metal strip in the outlet of a cold rolling stand by suitable metering of the amount of at least one lubricant per unit time applied to the metal strip in the inlet of the cold rolling stand. The applied amount of lubricant is metered in the form of a quantitative distribution over the width of the metal strip per unit time according to a detected control deviation between an actual and a desired flatness distribution over the width of the metal strip in the outlet of the cold rolling stand or a control deviation between an actual and a desired roughness distribution over the width of the metal strip in the outlet of the cold rolling stand or a combination of the two control deviations.

Abstract: A method regulating flatness of a metal strip at a roll housing output including at least one dynamic flatness actuator. A rolling process characterizes flatness of the strip by measuring a quantity D in n points distributed across the strip width, from n measurements of the quantity D. Then, using an action model of flatness regulation and an optimizing method, an overall setpoint including at least one elementary setpoint is determined for the dynamic actuator, such that a calculated flatness residual defect criterion is minimal, and executing the overall setpoint. The action model on the flatness used for determining the overall setpoint includes, for the dynamic actuator, as many submodels as there are points for measuring the quantity D characteristic of flatness, each submodel enabling the effect of the dynamic actuator on the quantity D to be calculated at the corresponding point when a setpoint is applied thereto.

Abstract: A method and a device for tuning and control of industrial processes having varying material flow rate. An adder is configured to add excitation signals to the controller output signal. A measurement system is configured to measure a property in response to the excitation signals. A model based tuning unit is adapted to estimate the value of at least one parameter with unknown value of a process model structure describing the effect of varying material flow rate, based on the measurements of the property and the output signal from the controller, and to calculate a model that describes the dynamics from controller output to controller input based on the estimated value of the parameter, and to perform model based tuning of the controller based on the model that describes the dynamics from controller output to controller input.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a plurality of sensors positioned across a width of a strip material, each of the plurality of sensors corresponding to a different one of a plurality of longitudinal zones along the width of the strip material. The example apparatus also includes a material condition monitor to determine a plurality of wave heights of the strip material based on information received from the plurality of sensors. Each of the wave heights corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of longitudinal zones. The material condition monitor is also to determine whether a measured portion of the strip material is substantially flat based on a comparison of each of the wave heights to a threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing a pattern on a surface for measuring, using a projector and a slide. The invention also relates to various advantageous embodiments of the measuring system.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus receive encoder signals and sensor data to monitor a condition of a strip material. The system obtains a plurality of sensor readings associated with the condition of the strip material, converts the readings into a dimensional profile, and outputs a visual display of the dimensional profile. If an undesired material condition is detected, a material conditioner is adjusted to achieve a desired material condition. Each time the strip material passes a sensor, data associated with the strip material is recorded. The dimensional profile is additionally shown to an operator to facilitate the input of commands by the operator used to urge the material toward a desired profile.

Abstract: In the case of a measuring roller for determining flatness deviations when handling material in strip form, for example when rolling metal strip, the stress distribution is measured over the width of the strip with the aid of piezoelectric sensors, which are arranged in longitudinal recesses of a solid roller at a distance from the casing surface and are wedged there

Abstract: Provided is a shape detection device capable of detecting meandering of a strip with high accuracy and a method thereof.

Abstract: The rolling mill comprises a pair of work rolls for rolling a plate material in the thickness direction, a guide for guiding the leading end of the plate material between the work rolls, and a rolling oil supply member for supplying rolling oil between the work rolls through a rolling oil passage formed within the guide. The rolling mill further comprises a temperature adjusted oil passage formed within the guide separately from the rolling oil passage, and a temperature adjusted oil supply member for applying temperature adjusted oil having a different temperature from the rolling oil to the work rolls through the temperature adjusted oil passage so as to control the crown rate of the work rolls, improving the controllability of the crown rate of the work roll.

Abstract: A wedge setup/control method for plate material rolling ensures that the work side and drive side are equal in the rolled plate thickness. The wedge setup/control method, which is used in reversible rolling of a plate material with a rough mill for hot rolling, includes preparing a wedge meter on the outlet side of the rough mill to measure the plate thickness in the direction of the plate width; performing calculations on a wedge measured by the wedge meter, using the influence coefficient of the wedge for roll gap leveling of the rough mill; determining amount of roll gap leveling control; and exercising feedback control to apply the amount of roll gap leveling control to the roll gap leveling of the rough mill.

Abstract: A method for measuring and displaying the flatness of a rolled steel sheet is disclosed that includes the steps of measuring tension in the sheet at a plurality of locations on the surface of the sheet and determining a plurality of tension ranges into which the sensed tension level can fall. A color is associated with each of the tension ranges, and a representation of the sheet is produced that is made up of a plurality of regions, each region having a color corresponding to tension range into which the tension sensed at the corresponding location on the surface of the sheet falls. A device for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and an apparatus for monitoring and conditioning strip material are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus receive encoder signals and sensor data to monitor a condition of a strip material. If an undesired material condition is detected, a material conditioner is adjusted to achieve a desired material condition. Each time a sheet is cut, flatness data associated with that sheet is recorded. Each time a bundle is finished, certification data associated with that bundle is printed.

Abstract: A hot rolling mill and method for operating the hot rolling mill where the shape of the strip is controlled by localized cooling devices positioned at intervals along work rolls in at least three lateral zones, a central and two edge zones, and capable of separately cooling each zone to control the shape of the work rolls in that zone and inhibit the formation of shape defects occurring in the strip being rolled. Five zones may be provided across the work surface of the work rolls so that two intermediate zones can control for quarter buckles. The hot rolling mill has particular application in continuously casting thin strip. The method can be made automatic by sensing downstream of the hot mill the shape of the strip in each zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for measuring and influencing the strip flatness in the coiler shaft of a hot-strip mill, whereby the coiler shaft has, between a driver and a coiler, moving and stationary strip guides as well as a flatness measuring roll (13). The hot strip (1) is supplied via the coiler shaft to a coiler, which is provided with a coiler mandrel (5), pressure rolls (6) and with deflecting shells (7), over a roller table (2) and the driving rolls (3, 4) of the driver. The flatness measuring roll (13) is displaced out of a working position, in which the hot strip is guided around the flatness measuring roll (13) while maintaining an approximately constant contact angle ?, and into a lowered position. In addition, a strip guide (14), which can swivel inward and protects the flatness measuring roll (13), is placed inside the coiler shaft.

Abstract: Input variables, which describe a metal strip prior to and after the passage of a rolling stand, are fed to a material flow model. The material flow model determines online a rolling force progression in the direction of the width of the strip and fees said progression to a roller deformation model. The latter determines roller deformations from said progression and feeds them to a desired value calculator, which calculates the desired values for the controlling elements of profile and surface evenness using the calculated roller deformations and a contour progression on the runout side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mill train (1) for milling a strip-type product to be milled (10). Said mill train comprises a number of roll stands (2) which are successively arranged in a milling direction (x) and which can be respectively pivoted about a rotational axis (18) which is essentially perpendicular to the milling direction (x). The aim of the invention is to maintain a belt run which favors a pre-determined milling result, in an especially simple and reliable manner. According to the invention, a control value (S) is pre-determined for the pivoting angle of a roll stand, or of each roll stand (2), according to the determined contour of the strip end (30) of a product (10) which has already been milled. According to the invention, additional control elements can also be used.

Abstract: A shape detecting apparatus for controlling the tension of a rolled plate, is composed of a pair of fixing members, a supporting frame and a plurality of shape detecting units. The shape detecting units are fixed detachably in a close proximity of the supporting frame in the lateral direction. The shape detecting units are each composed of cylindrical divided rolls in contact with the rolled plate, a fixed member fixed on the supporting frame, an arm member of which one end supports the divided roll rotatably, and of which the other end is fixed on the fixed member, and a load detector for detecting a moment of rotation acting on the arm member.

Abstract: A method for measuring and displaying the flatness of a rolled steel sheet is disclosed that includes the steps of measuring tension in the sheet at a plurality of locations on the surface of the sheet and determining a plurality of tension ranges into which the sensed tension level can fall. A color is associated with each of the tension ranges, and a representation of the sheet is produced that is made up of a plurality of regions, each region having a color corresponding to tension range into which the tension sensed at the corresponding location on the surface of the sheet falls. A device for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shape detecting apparatus 10 for controlling the tension of a rolled plate 1, is composed of a pair of fixing members 12, a supporting frame 14 and a plurality of shape detecting units 20. The shape detecting units 20 is fixed detachably in a close proximity of the supporting frame in the lateral direction. The shape detecting unit 20 is composed of cylindrical divided rolls 22 in contact with the rolled plate, a fixing member 24 fixed on the supporting frame, an arm member 26 of which one end supports the divided roll rotatably, and of which the other end is fixed on the fixing member, and a load detector 28 for detecting a moment of rotation acting on the arm member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot rolling mill, with at least one flatness measuring roller, pertaining to at least one rolling bed, arranged before and/or after one of the stands, which influences the settings of at least one of the stands. The aim of the invention is to improve the arrangement of the roller bed working rollers and the flatness measuring roller, such that the flatness measuring roller may be, optionally, either brought into operation, or be withdrawn into a protected position, whereby, in this case, the gap in the rolling bed thus formed can be closed. Said aim is achieved, whereby the flatness measuring roller may be stored, away from its working position, behind a screen and that the rolling bed is completed with at least one retractable working roller.

Abstract: A method for preadjusting and controlling strip planarity in flexible single-pass and reversing rolling of a strip-shaped material web using at least one work roll pair forming a roll gap and back-up rolls for the work rolls, and devices for roll adjustment, roll bending, roll displacement and roll balancing. The method includes, when rolling a thickness ramp for adjusting a desired strip profile shape over the strip width, determining corresponding adjustment parameters by accessing on-line a multidimensional data matrix produced off-line through a FEM model for all adjustment ranges of rolling force, roll displacement and bending control at all occurring strip widths.

Abstract: A system and a method for measuring and determining flatness of a strip (1) of rolled material. Said system is comprising a measuring roll (2) having a cylindrical central structure (41) having a number of measuring devices for force/pressure registration. Said devices is generating measurement output signals (Upi) depending on the contact between the strip and the measuring roll (2), wherein said measurement output signal (Upi) comprises a force component signal (UFi). Said system also comprises a Flatness Determination Unit (56), said unit being arranged for calculating the flatness (&Dgr;&sgr;1) of the strip based exclusively on signals derived from measurement output signal (Upi) values generated by said measuring devices and information about the values of the width and thickness of the strip (1). The system is continuously determining the Wrap Angle (&agr;) from at least one measurement output signal (Upi) and automatically compensating for a changing Wrap Angle (&agr;).

Abstract: A method for controlling flatness of a strip (1) of rolled material rolled to a first flatness target and coiled and that is subsequently uncoiled, and a system which employs the method. Measurements of the flatness of the strip (1) during rolling are compared to both the first flatness target and to a second flatness target, a Mill Flatness Target 2. A flatness target for each of one or more subsequent processes, a Post Rolling Flatness Target (PRFT) and a measured flatness error is used to adapt a control signal for a mill stand (5) to control and regulate the flatness of subsequent production of rolled material of the same specification. The adaption may be made using different statistical techniques including fuzzy logic and neuro-fuzzy logic control methods. In the preferred embodiment, flatness measurements after decoiling are also fed forward to at least one subsequent process 12 and used to adapt control signals to regulate flatness of the current strip in the subsequent process 12.

Abstract: A rolling mill facility includes a single or plural rolling mills having a pair of top and bottom work rolls and that roll strip steel and strip shape detecting devices installed at least on one side of the inlet and outlet sides of the rolling mill. The strip shape detecting devices consist of a single roller on which the metal strip gets wound and at least two bearing boxes one side or four bearing boxes on both sides with the bearing boxes supporting the roller in a free-to-rotate manner and at least two load cells on one side or four load cells on both sides for measuring the supporting load of each of the bearing boxes. From the load values measured by the load cells, the tension distribution of the strip is computed and that tension distribution is converted into the strip shape of the strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automatic bow adjustment for a venetian blind assembly machine, said bow adjustment station comprising rollers (48; 104, 106) for guiding, bending and levelling a strip material (43; 112), and further comprising a forming section (36; 102) where mating concave and convex upper and lower form rollers (50; 108, 110) are arranged for creating a transverse curvature in the strip material, further comprises the steps of: providing levelling through means for offsetting (34; 100, 102) in order to straighten the bow of the strip material (43; 112) within a predetermined deviation on a predetermined length of strip material; measuring the deviation through optical means (146) providing a deviation signal; and adjusting the levelling by said means for offsetting (34; 100) through the deviation signal, if said measured deviation exceeds a predetermined deviation, in order to keep the deviation within said predetermined deviation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for measuring flatness of a hot rolled strip based on a contact load of the hot rolled strip to split rolls of a looper in the hot rolling process. The split rolls are assembled in a bracket such that each split roll can be separated from the bracket. A normal-movement control unit for moving the split rolls in the normal direction, and a tangent-movement control unit for moving the split rolls in the tangent direction are porvided at a side of the bracket bearing the split rolls. An impact absorption unit is mounted at a support that is movably connected to the tangent-movement control unit. A pre-pressure application unit is provided at the support to prevent a sensor cap and a load sensor from being released. A heat-shielding ring surrounds the load sensor to prevent the load sensor from being overheated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for automatic bow adjustment for a venetian blind assembly machine, said bow adjustment station comprising rollers (48; 104, 106) for guiding, bending and leveling a strip material (43; 112), and further comprising a forming section (36; 102) where mating concave and convex upper and lower form rollers (50; 108, 110) are arranged for creating a transverse curvature in the strip material, further comprises the steps of: providing leveling through means for offsetting (34; 100, 102) in order to straighten the bow of the strip material (43; 112) within a predetermined deviation on a predetermined length of strip material; measuring the deviation through optical means (146) providing a deviation signal; and adjusting the leveling by said means for offsetting (34; 100) through the deviation signal, if said measured deviation exceeds a predetermined deviation, in order to keep the deviation within said predetermined deviation.

Abstract: Rolling stand (10) for plane products and method to control the planarity of said plane products, said rolling stand comprising a pair of working rolls (11a, 11b), a corresponding pair of back-up rolls (13a, 13b) and at least an intermediate roll (15a) located between one of said working rolls (11a) and a corresponding back-up roll (13b), axial translation means (16) and bending means (17) being associated with at least one of said working rolls (11a) to translate it axially and respectively bend it, crossing means (19) being associated with said intermediate roll (15a) to arrange it with its longitudinal axis (25a) inclined, that is, rotated, with respect to the longitudinal axes (21a, 21b, 23a, 23b) of said working rolls (11a, 11b) and of said back-up rolls (13a, 13b).

Abstract: A method for controlling flatness of a strip (1) of rolled material rolled to a first flatness target and coiled and that is subsequently uncoiled, and a system which employs the method. Measurements of the flatness of the strip (1) during rolling are compared to both the first flatness target and to a second flatness target, a Mill Flatness Target 2. A flatness target for each of one or more subsequent processes, a Post Rolling Flatness Target (PRFT) and a measured flatness error is used to adapt a control signal for a mill stand (5) to control and regulate the flatness of subsequent production of rolled material of the same specification. The adaption may be made using different statistical techniques including fuzzy logic and neuro-fuzzy logic control methods. In the preferred embodiment, flatness measurements after decoiling are also fed forward to at least one subsequent process 12 and used to adapt control signals to regulate flatness of the current strip in the subsequent process 12.

Abstract: Method to control the planarity of flat products rolled with a rolling stand (10) having a pair of working rolls (11a, 11b), a corresponding pair of back-up rolls (13a, 13b) and at least an intermediate roll (15a) placed between one of said working rolls (11a) and a corresponding back-up roll (13b), axial translation means (16) and first bending means (17) associated with at least one of said working rolls (11a) to translate it axially (WR shifting) and respectively bend it (WR bending), crossing means (19) associated with said intermediate roll (15a) to arrange it with its longitudinal axis (25a) inclined (IR crossing), that is, rotated on a horizontal plane, with respect to the longitudinal axes (21a, 21b, 23a, 23b) of said working rolls (11a, 11b) and of said back-up rolls (13a, 13b), and second bending means (20) associated with said intermediate roll (15a) to bend it with respect to the horizontal plane (IR bending), said method providing a first static setting step, operating selectively at least on WR

Abstract: A method for the flexible rolling of a metallic strip in which, during the rolling procedure, the metallic strip is lead through a roll gap which is formed between two working rolls, and during the rolling operation, the roll gap is deliberately changed in order to obtain different strip thicknesses over the length of the metallic strip. A good planeness of the metallic strip can be obtained, and particularly, also for relatively wide strips, in that, during each setting of the roll gap or directly afterward, the deflection curve bending line of the working roll is controlled depending on the setting of the roll gap for the achievement of planeness of the metallic strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flatness measurement and control system for metal strip, which makes it possible to obtain improved strip or coil quality by a simple and effective measurement of departures from flatness and to control the finishing parameters through the evaluation of a line pattern on the strip surface or on the end face of a coil as it is coiled.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a tandem cold rolling method conducted by a tandem cold rolling mill, the number of rolling stands of which is not less than 4, wherein a rolling tension, the intensity of which is not lower than 30%, preferably not lower than 40% of the deformation resistance of material to be rolled, is given at least by the final rolling stand. The present invention is also to provide a tandem cold rolling mill satisfying the inequality of JC≧(0.375{overscore (h)}+0.275)JM, wherein the average thickness of a product sheet on the delivery side of the final rolling mill is {overscore (h)}, and an output of one coiler arranged on the delivery side of the tandem cold rolling mill, or a sum of an output of one coiler on the delivery side and an output of the bridle roller on the delivery side is JC, and an output of the main motor of the final rolling stand of the tandem cold rolling mill is JM.