(57) A leveling apparatus supports a plurality of back-up roller assemblies (62), each of which is individually positionable to vary the penetration of a portion of the work rolls (78) it contacts such that the penetration of the entry work rolls can be varied independently of the penetration of the exit work roll. Each back-up roller assembly includes an elongate back-up block (64) having a longitudinal channel (68) and a rearwardly-positioned concave portion (146), an elongate support member (70) positioned within the slot and including a rearwardly-positioned convex portion (148) positioned to matingly engage the concave portion, and a plurality of back-up rollers (72) positioned along the support member. The support member is urged against the back-up block by a resilient connection (132), and each support member is independently relative to the back-up block. The concave and convex portions of the back-up block and support member, respectively, have centers of curvature which coincide with the rotational axis (154) of the rearmost associated work roll (156) so that pivoting movement of the support member does not affect the penetration of the rearmost work roll. Consequently, the leveled sheet assumes a planar configuration upon exiting the apparatus.
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