Before the rolling of a metal strip on a finishing train, the actual width and actual temperature of portions of the metal strip are respectively detected. The portions of the metal strip are tracked while they run through the finishing train. The rolling stands are respectively assigned width controlling devices which determine the setpoint width and the actual width after the rolling in the assigned rolling stand, and a downstream additional setpoint value, by which the desired tension downstream of the assigned rolling stand is corrected in order to bring the actual width closer to the setpoint width. The downstream additional setpoint value is both taken into account in the determination of the actual width and fed to a tension controller, which sets an actual tension, in the metal strip downstream of the assigned rolling stand, in accordance with the corrected setpoint tension. Determining the downstream additional setpoint value by the difference between the setpoint width and the actual width of a portion of the metal strip.

Before the rolling of a metal strip on a finishing train, the actual width and actual temperature of portions of the metal strip are respectively detected. The portions of the metal strip are tracked while they run through the finishing train. The rolling stands are respectively assigned width controlling devices which determine the setpoint width and the actual width after the rolling in the assigned rolling stand, and a downstream additional setpoint value, by which the desired tension downstream of the assigned rolling stand is corrected in order to bring the actual width closer to the setpoint width. The downstream additional setpoint value is both taken into account in the determination of the actual width and fed to a tension controller, which sets an actual tension, in the metal strip downstream of the assigned rolling stand, in accordance with the corrected setpoint tension. Determining the downstream additional setpoint value by the difference between the setpoint width and the actual width of a portion of the metal strip.

An apparatus for rolling strip having a periodically fluctuating strip thickness has a roll stand with a set of rollers defining a gap, an adjustment actuator for adjusting the gap of the set of rollers, unwinder for feeding the strip with an initial thickness to an intake side of the roller gap, winder for receiving the strip with a desired final thickness from an output side of the gap, respective upstream and roller assemblies each having an immersion roller provided upstream of the roll stand between the unwinder and the roll stand and downstream of the roll stand between the roll stand and the winder. The strip is guided around the immersion rollers. A controller sets positions of the immersion rollers while operating the rollers of the roll stand at a constant roller speed, for determining the roller gap in dependence on the setting of the rollers.

An apparatus for rolling strip having a periodically fluctuating strip thickness has a roll stand with a set of rollers defining a gap, an adjustment actuator for adjusting the gap of the set of rollers, unwinder for feeding the strip with an initial thickness to an intake side of the roller gap, winder for receiving the strip with a desired final thickness from an output side of the gap, respective upstream and roller assemblies each having an immersion roller provided upstream of the roll stand between the unwinder and the roll stand and downstream of the roll stand between the roll stand and the winder. The strip is guided around the immersion rollers. A controller sets positions of the immersion rollers while operating the rollers of the roll stand at a constant roller speed, for determining the roller gap in dependence on the setting of the rollers.

Method for the production of flat metal products, in particular coils of strip, in endless and/or semi-endless mode, in which a metal product is continuously fed to a rolling mill consisting overall of at least 4 stands. The rolling stands are, in sequence, roughing stands, and finishing stands. It is provided to perform a flying gauge change of the metal product exiting from the rolling mill.

Method for the production of flat metal products, in particular coils of strip, in endless and/or semi-endless mode, in which a metal product is continuously fed to a rolling mill consisting overall of at least 4 stands. The rolling stands are, in sequence, roughing stands, and finishing stands. It is provided to perform a flying gauge change of the metal product exiting from the rolling mill.

A method for reducing the strip tension of a rolling stock, may include: transporting the rolling stock using a roller table between two successive rolling units, wherein a rolling stock loop is formed in a depression in a section of the roller table between the two rolling units, the rolling stock loop being supported by the roller table at least in one off-center portion of the section, wherein the supporting line of the roller table in this portion corresponds to the catenary curve of the free span; measuring a loop depth of the rolling stock loop; calculating a desired value of the loop depth that corresponds substantially to the free span, e.g., depending on the material, thickness and temperature of the rolling stock; controlling the main drives and/or the gap adjustment of the rolling units based on the desired value and the measured loop depth, such that the loop depth substantially corresponds to the desired value.

A method for reducing the strip tension of a rolling stock, may include: transporting the rolling stock using a roller table between two successive rolling units, wherein a rolling stock loop is formed in a depression in a section of the roller table between the two rolling units, the rolling stock loop being supported by the roller table at least in one off-center portion of the section, wherein the supporting line of the roller table in this portion corresponds to the catenary curve of the free span; measuring a loop depth of the rolling stock loop; calculating a desired value of the loop depth that corresponds substantially to the free span, e.g., depending on the material, thickness and temperature of the rolling stock; controlling the main drives and/or the gap adjustment of the rolling units based on the desired value and the measured loop depth, such that the loop depth substantially corresponds to the desired value.

A method of controlling hot finish rolling, in cooperative control of the hot finish rolling, by controlling a rolling state using an evaluation function in which weight gains are set for each of a plurality of state variables and a plurality of manipulated variables and obtaining control gains that minimize the evaluation function, includes: a step of normalizing the weight gains by a normalization unit; a step of performing, by a comparative evaluation unit, comparative evaluation on the weight gains of the state variables after normalization and performing comparative evaluation on the weight gains of the manipulated variables after normalization; and a step of adjusting, by a gain adjustment unit based on a result of the comparative evaluation, at least one of: the weight gains of the state variables; and the weight gains of the manipulated variables.