Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method of processing sheet metal comprises the steps of: providing a tension-leveling apparatus; providing a surface conditioning apparatus; leveling a portion of the sheet metal with the tension-leveling apparatus; and conditioning a surface of the portion of the sheet metal with the surface conditioning apparatus. The tension-leveling apparatus includes a first set of bridle rollers adapted to receive sheet metal from an upstream coil. The tension-leveling apparatus also includes a second set of bridle rollers downstream of the first set of bridle rollers. The tension-leveling apparatus is adapted to engage the sheet metal in a manner to subject the portion of the sheet metal between the first and second sets of bridle rollers to a tensile force. The step of leveling the portion of the sheet metal between the first and second sets of bridle rollers includes engaging that portion with the tension-leveling apparatus in a manner to flatten the portion and reduce internal residual stresses in that portion. The surface conditioning apparatus is located downstream of the first set of bridle rollers. The surface conditioning apparatus has at least one rotating conditioning member. The step of conditioning the surface of the portion of the sheet metal includes bringing the rotating conditioning member into engagement with the surface in a manner to remove scale from the surface.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim