(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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