Pivotable Roll Leveling for Metal Strip Planarity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for leveling thin metal strips, such as rolling, straightening, and stretch leveling, fail to completely eliminate waviness and achieve ideal planarity due to limitations in tensile stress distribution control across the strip width.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with pivotable rolls that adjust tension distribution by tilting rolls within the strip travel plane or perpendicular to it, allowing for variable tensile stress control and plastic deformation to level the strip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If temperature profile control is used to adjust tensile stress distribution, then strip planarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the heating system into multiple independent heating zones across the strip width. Each zone can be controlled separately to create the desired temperature profile. This modular approach allows precise local temperature control without requiring a completely complex system, as each zone operates independently but contributes to the overall planarity control.
2Force
If conventional roll sets with fixed contours are used, then basic tension control is achieved, but edge waves and center dishing cannot be suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from fixed contour rolls to a dynamic temperature control system. The heating zones can be dynamically adjusted during operation to modify tensile stress distribution in real-time. This dynamic control allows the system to respond to and suppress edge waves and center dishing that occur during the leveling process, rather than relying on static roll contours.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively suppresses edge waves, center waves, and asymmetrical planarity defects by varying tensile stress distribution, enabling precise control of the degree of leveling over the strip width, even in stretch leveling where tensile stress is near the yield point.
Implementation Method 1
pivoting one of the rolls is pivoted about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane or parallel to the direction so as to vary the tension in the strip across a width of the strip and thereby locally plastically deform the strip to level it
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for leveling thin metal strip moving longitudinally generally in a plane in a travel direction has at least one upstream roll rotatable about an axis and engaging the strip, at least one downstream roll rotatable about an axis and engaging the strip downstream of the upstream roll, and a drive connected to at least one of the rolls for exerting tension on the strip between the rolls. In accordance with the invention pivoting one of the rolls is pivoted about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane or parallel to the direction so as to vary the tension in the strip across a width of the strip and thereby locally plastically deform the strip to level it.