Patent ID: 6167736
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B21B

Abstract:
In a rolling mill wherein a product of finite length is rolled continuously in a group of roll stands arranged successively along a pass line, with all but a front end segment and a tail end segment of said product being subjected to tension between successive roll stands in said group, thereby resulting in said front and tail end segments having cross sectional areas that are larger than the cross sectional area of the remainder of said product, a method of equalizing the cross sectional area of said product over a substantial portion of its length, comprising the steps of: providing first and second roll stands separately driven at rotational speeds and arranged successively along said pass line in advance of said group of roll stands; and anticipatorily adjusting the rotational speed of least one of said first and second roll stands to achieve an increased level of tension in the front and tail end segments passing therebetween, with the result that said front and tail end segments have reduced cross sectional area that are smaller than the cross sectional area of the remainder of said product, said reduced cross sectional areas being sufficient to compensate for subsequent inadequate cross sectional area reduction resulting from an absence of interstand tension experienced by said front and tail end segments while being rolled in said group of roll stands.