Closed loop roller leveler

Abstract

A closed loop roller leveler system has a roller leveler; a flatness sensor; and at least one arm for raising and lowering the flatness sensor. The sensor includes a plurality of sensing rollers extending across a width of a strip of material. The sensor further has at least one load cell and at least one laser sensor for measuring the flatness level of the strip.

1 . A closed loop roller leveler system comprising:
 a roller leveler;   a flatness sensor;   at least one arm for raising and lowering said flatness sensor;   said flatness sensor comprising a plurality of sensing rollers extending across a width of an associated strip of material;   said sensor further comprising at least one load cell and at least one laser sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The closed loop leveler system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one arm comprises a pair of hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         3 . The closed loop leveler system of  claim 2 , wherein said pair of hydraulic cylinders raise and lower said plurality of sensing rollers. 
     
     
         4 . The closed loop leveler system of  claim 3 , wherein each of said plurality of sensing rollers is mounted on a pivot bracket. 
     
     
         5 . The closed loop leveler system of  claim 1 , wherein said flatness sensor is used to measure flatness of light gage strip. 
     
     
         6 . The closed loop leveler system of  claim 1 , wherein said flatness sensor is used to measure flatness of heavy gage strip. 
     
     
         7 . The closed loop leveler system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said sensing rollers are mounted on one of said load cells. 
     
     
         8 . The closed loop leveler system of  claim 1 , wherein said laser sensors are mounted on a support beam. 
     
     
         9 . The closed loop leveler system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said sensing rollers move up and down in unison. 
     
     
         10 . A method for measuring flatness levels of a strip of material comprising:
 providing a roller leveler;   providing a flatness sensor;   raising and lowering said flatness sensor with a plurality of hydraulic cylinders;   providing a plurality of sensing rollers extending across a width of an associated strip of material;   providing at least one load cell and at least one laser sensor;   feeding said strip of material through said roller leveler; and   
       feeding said strip of material through said flatness sensor.