Apparatus for straightening metal strip

Abstract

An apparatus for straightening metal strips, including a first, upper group and a second, lower group of straightening rollers arranged in each case immediately in succession in a strip running direction, and a group of individually controllable actuators arranged alongside one another in a transverse direction. An axial bending profile of at least a first of the straightening rollers is settable by the group of actuators. At least one second group of individually controllable actuators arranged alongside one another in the transverse direction is provided. An axial bending profile of the least a second of the straightening rollers, which is in particular different from the bending profile of the first bending roller, is settable by the second group of actuators.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for straightening metal strips, comprising:
 a first, upper group and a second, lower group of straightening rolls arranged successively in a strip travel direction; and   a group of individually controllable actuators, arranged next to each other in a transverse direction, and at least one second group of individually controllable actuators arranged next to each other in the transverse direction, wherein the group of actuators are operative to adjust an axial bending profile of at least one first straightening roll, and the second group of actuators are operative to adjust an axial bending profile of at least one second straightening roll in a manner different from the bending profile of the first straightening roll.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein at least three groups of actuators are provided arranged successively in the strip travel direction, each group consisting of at least three actuators, which groups form overall a field of individually controllable actuators by which bending profiles of several straightening rolls arranged successively in the strip travel direction are independently adjustable. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to claim.  14 , wherein the actuators comprise a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the groups of actuators is supported on a dimensionally stable crossbeam. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 17 , further comprising a crossbeam actuator operatively arranged to adjust tilting of the crossbeam around the strip travel direction. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising side actuators arranged to subject bearing areas at ends of at least one of the straightening rolls to adjustable loads. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the bearing areas at the ends of the at least one of the straightening rolls are subjected to adjustable loads in a direction opposite to the actuators. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising a mounting arrangement for a plurality of support rolls, wherein the actuators act on the mounting arrangement and the support rolls transmit force of the actuators to the straightening roll. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the mounting arrangement comprises a chain of bearing sections, connected to each other in the axial direction, for the support rolls. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising a respective measuring unit arranged both in front of and behind the groups of straightening rolls for measuring flatness defects and/or stresses in the metal strip, wherein the measuring units are used to adjust the straightening rolls during a straightening process. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the measuring units are configured to undertake an optical measurement of the form of the metal strip, wherein the metal strip is guided substantially without tension at least in an area of the measuring units. 
     
     
         25 . A method for straightening a metal strip using an apparatus according to  claim 14 , comprising the steps:
 a. measuring the form and/or stresses of a metal strip with a measuring unit before a first pass through a straightening section;   b. adjusting straightening rolls of a straightening section as a function of the measurement of the metal strip;   c. straightening the metal strip by passage through the straightening section; and   d. measuring the form and/or stresses of the metal strip with a second measuring unit t an exit from the straightening section.   
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , including adjusting the straightening rolls with an electronic control unit. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , including repeating steps b and c as a function of a measurement result in step d. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the metal strip passes through the straightening section first in one direction and then, in a following pass, in an opposite direction.