US Patent 7775079 Rolling method and rolling apparatus for flat-rolled metal materials

A rolling method and a rolling apparatus for flat rolled metal materials stably produce flat-rolled metal having no or extremely little camber. The rolling mill having work rolls with split backup rolls supporting at least one work roll is provided with at least one pair of pinch rolls. The pinch rolls apply tension to the rolled material. The difference between the rolling direction force acting on the pinch rolls at the right and left sides is calculated. Optionally, the rolling direction force acting on the work rolls at the right and left sides is also calculated. The left-right difference of the roll gap of the work rolls is controlled as a result of the calculated difference.