Abstract: A shape detection device is incorporated as part of a hot strip reversing mill. The shape detection device is a shape detector roll adapted to contact the metal strip. The shape detector roll is used to provide data to an automated shape control and steering system. Preferably, the hot strip reversing mill includes a pair of hot reversing stands and a pair of coiler furnaces positioned on opposite sides of the pair of mill stands.

Abstract: During rolling with a rolling mill, which includes a sheet shape altering device capable of altering a mechanical sheet crown, while the sheet shape altering device is operated correspondingly with a target mechanical sheet crown set value during the dimensional alteration in rolling, the invention enables a stable sheet shape to be achieved, even when the mechanical sheet crown is altered to a large extent during rolling. Specifically, the target mechanical sheet crown set value, during the dimensional alteration in rolling, is previously set based on target mechanical sheet crown set values, before and after the dimensional alteration, prior to start of the dimensional alteration in rolling. The sheet shape altering device is then operated so that an actual mechanical sheet crown, during the dimensional alteration in rolling, is equal to the target mechanical sheet crown set value during the dimensional alteration in rolling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rolling a strip by a rolling mill wherein one back-up roll of the pair of back-up rolls is a variable crown roll having a single oil chamber and the other back-up roll is a variable crown roll having a plurality of oil chambers. The strip shape is detected by a shape meter and approximated by a power function which includes terms of the first, second, fourth, and sixth powers of a distance measured from the center in the width direction and then precisely controlled by a calculation and control unit based on the obtained power function.

Abstract: A flatness control apparatus for controlling the flatness of a strip in a hot rolling mill, wherein a strip width meter measures center line error values of the strip. The center line error values are the offsets of the center of the strip from the center of the hot rolling mill line and are positive if the center of the strip is offset toward a drive side of the mill. A flatness meter, installed on the delivery side of the mill, measures flatness of the strip at positions specified by the flatness control apparatus. Based on the center line error values and the flatness measurements, the flatness control apparatus calculates adjustments to be made to a work roll bending apparatus on a final stand in the mill in order to control strip flatness.