Characteristics of Shape Control in an Asymmetric Cluster Mill

Abstract

An asymmetric cluster mill has been developed modifying an existing four-high mill to attain higher reduction than four-high mill or six-high mill. The upper part of the mill is of six-cluster roll structure with a small work roll, two intermediate rolls and three backup rolls. The lower part is of two-roll structure with a large work roll and a backup roll. Furthermore, this mill has a crown-bender and an intermediate roll-bender to control strip shape over a wide range from edge waving to center buckling or from center-edge buckling to quarter buckling. It is considered that the asymmetric cluster mill will show excellent shape controllability to reduce shape faults, especially quarter buckling which occurs in the wide strip rolled by a four-high mill.