AT510198B1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LATERAL SURFACE CONTROL OF A METAL PROCESS BELT - Google Patents

Abstract

For lateral position control of a metal processing belt (1), a suitable temperature distribution in the transverse direction (1b) is applied to the belt by heating or cooling. By thus causing thermal bending moment a lateral curvature in the band, which causes a lateral course proportional to the curvature of the band when running on the following cylindrical guide rollers (2, 5). By an active control, the lateral position of the tape is measured and adjusted the adjustment of the heating or cooling suitable.

Description

Austrian Patent Office AT510198B1 2012-05-15

description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LATERAL SURFACE CONTROL OF A METAL PROCESS BELT

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the lateral position control of guided around pulleys, running in its longitudinal direction metal processing belt, in particular steel process belt.

In the leadership of metal bands on cylindrical pulleys, the metal processing belt is moved in most strongly biased state. Because of the ever-present geometric imperfections of the metal process belt, such as saber or meander, but even more due to process-related disturbances such as uneven heating, asymmetric frictional forces, lateral force effects or bending moments, the metal processing belt does not run with constant lateral position on the pulleys. Rather, the lateral position of the belt changes on the pulleys, and with prolonged disruption, it can lead to a lateral bleeding of the belt. In this case, the belt runs laterally out of the permissible operating range. This can lead to loss of quality, interruptions to operation or even damage to the belt and the system.

For this reason, passive or active devices have already been proposed which should keep the lateral position of the band in all operating cases within a tolerance range.

Passive devices usually consist of lateral guide elements, which are fixed or movable. These measures can neither compensate for grosser disturbances nor meet high standards of accuracy. Moreover, when the tape touches passive guide elements, it will wear the tape to its delicate side edges and wear the guide member. Magnetic attraction non-contact passive devices for the lateral positioning of steel strips are limited to ferromagnetic steel strips according to their basic operating principle. GB2073150 (A) discloses a device wherein one or more magnets are mounted over or under the steel strip across the entire width. Thus, at the same time a tape tension can be applied, and the tape is automatically corrected in its lateral position. Only the distance of the magnets to the steel strip is easily controlled.

Active devices with adjustable lateral guide devices have the same disadvantages, even if the side guides can be better adapted by the controller. JP2007125580 (A) shows a device and a method, wherein the device consists of two lateral individually hydraulically adjustable guide elements, which are mounted together on a laterally displaceable by a motor guide. By measuring the lateral edge position, the control interventions are calculated by a central control.

Adjusting the lateral band position control, which are suitable for active control concepts, can be performed by pivoting the guide roller about a vertical axis, wherein the vertical axis is defined as normal to the level of the incoming band. Thus, a screw movement of the belt is introduced only around the deflection roller, which leads in the sequence to the lateral running of the belt on the deflection roller. This method has the advantage that the tape remains in the original plane, and thus little influence on any production processes are given. The disadvantages are the greatly increased marginal fiber tension of the belt, which can lead to fatigue and cracks. DE4408099 (B4) shows a device and method whereby the bearing plates can be adjusted by means of hydraulic cylinders so that pivoting about a vertical axis is achieved and the desired lateral belt position can be maintained. In addition, the elongation of the press is measured and used to correct the tension of the belt.

Control interventions for lateral band position control, which are suitable for active control concepts, can also be carried out by pivoting the deflection roller about a horizontal axis, said horizontal axis being defined as parallel to the plane of the incoming band and normal to the axis of rotation of the deflection roller. This also causes a screw movement of the belt between the pulleys, and there is a lateral running of the belt. The advantage here is that the load on the edge fibers of the tape is much lower. Furthermore, the dynamic behavior of the lateral course is more favorable. The disadvantage, however, is that the tape must twist out of the original plane, otherwise the principle is not effective. DE102005014498 shows a device and a method for the lateral position control of a conveyor belt in a fixing machine, in which a deflection roller of the conveyor belt is pivoted about a horizontal axis.

Control interventions for lateral band position control, which are suitable for active control concepts, can also be carried out by pivoting the guide roller about an inclined axis, said inclined axis is in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of the guide roller. Thus, this method combines the two aforementioned principles in one device. EP1040066B1 shows a device and a method, wherein the device adjusts the desired lateral position of the belt by means of a deflection roller rotatably mounted about an oblique axis. US4572417 shows a device and method analogous to the two preceding documents for a fabric tape.

Control interventions for lateral band position control, which are suitable for active control concepts, can also be carried out by pressing control rollers on the prestressed belt. In this case, control rollers are pressed onto the belt surface, and inclined at a very low angle of wrap. Alternatively, the same effect can be generated without wrap-around angle by pressing rollers on both sides. The inclination can take place via a vertical or horizontal axis. Especially in the case of adjustment via a vertical axis, lateral thrust forces and, for larger pivoting angles, significant slippage occur. But this is always a deterioration of the belt surface caused by wear. JP2006326658 (A) shows a device, wherein two control rollers, which are mounted with parallel axes in a pivotable frame, are pressed from both sides on the tape in each case. By pivoting the frame about a vertical axis lying next to the belt, the belt can be brought into the desired lateral position.

Control interventions for lateral band position control, which are suitable for active control concepts and work without devices for mechanical adjustment of pulleys or control rollers are to find much rarer. DE3939385 (C2) shows a device and method wherein different heating zones subdivided in the running direction of the steel strip are subjected to heating power in a belt press in such a way that a desired temperature profile in the strip longitudinal direction is set in accordance with a desired value curve. In order for a favorable temperature for the material to be pressed can be adjusted, without being addressed in the invention on the lateral positioning of the tape.

Japanese Patent Application JP 3189012 A discloses a cooling apparatus for a hot-rolled steel strip. This cooling device is composed of a plurality of cooling units that are slidable across the steel strip to control the temperature distribution across the width of the steel strip. For this purpose, the temperature distribution in the transverse direction over the steel strip and / or the extent of meandering of the steel strip is measured and based on this, each cooling unit is displaced in the width direction of the steel strip. The aim is to achieve a constant temperature above the strip cross-section or to make any temperature gradient disappear. Thus, this document does not disclose a method for the lateral position control of a metal processing belt guided over deflection rollers, but describes a method for achieving a constant temperature profile in the transverse direction of the belt. The documents JP 61238414 A, JP 10067091 A and JP 3020417 A show belt machines and methods for position control according to the general state of the art, but offer no solutions to the above-mentioned problems ,

There is thus still the problem of providing a method and a device for lateral position control of guided around pulleys, running in its longitudinal direction metal processing belt, in particular steel processing belt to provide, which does not adhere to the above-mentioned disadvantages, or at which these disadvantages are at least substantially mitigated.

The present invention achieves the above-described object by providing a method having the features of claim 1 and by providing a device having the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims and the description below.

According to the present invention, a desired lateral position control of guided around pulleys, rotating in its longitudinal direction or continuous metal processing belt, in particular steel process belt, by detecting the current lateral position of the metal processing belt and generating at least one temperature gradient in Metal processing belt in the transverse direction of the metal processing belt in response to a deviation of the current lateral position of the metal processing belt from a desired lateral position. The temperature gradient running transversely to the direction of circulation of the metal processing belt is preferably generated by operating at least one tempering device arranged laterally from a longitudinal central axis of the metal processing belt, wherein the at least one tempering device may comprise heating and / or cooling devices with which the metal processing belt is heated in sections or is cooled, that due to the resulting temperature gradient results in an additional bending moment, which elastically deforms the metal processing belt laterally. Due to this elastic deformation, the metal processing belt runs laterally on the downstream and upstream deflection rollers. Detecting devices determine the lateral position of the metal processing belt relative to the desired position and pass corresponding measurement signals to a control device. The control device generates control signals for the tempering device based on suitably designed control algorithms. These control signals are converted at the tempering into corresponding heating or cooling capacity. As a result, the metal processing belt is partially heated or cooled so that the resulting bending moment causes a lateral elastic deformation in the metal processing belt, which leads to the deflection rollers such a lateral movement of the metal processing belt that the metal processing belt to the desired lateral Position is moved back.

Suitable tempering can be based inter alia on the following principles: radiation over heating surfaces, convection of fluids (air, inert gas, liquids, process materials) and direct heating of the steel strip by electromagnetic induction or direct heating of the material to be pressed by microwave or ultrasound. Active cooling is mainly achieved by convection. Since in many processes already active heating or cooling devices are provided, which are provided for other process steps, they could be used with appropriate structural design (i.e., with respect to the tape longitudinal axis asymmetric control) in addition as tempering in the sense of the present invention. If the temperature gradient should be effective only on a limited band section, for example, because then certain temperatures must prevail on the band, it can be compensated again by a further tempering at a defined distance to the application of the temperature gradient. This can take place actively (cooling of the warmer belt areas and / or heating of the cooler belt areas), or the heat transfer on contact with the deflection roller for temperature compensation is sufficient.

Significant advantages of the invention over the prior art are, in particular, the application of a temperature moment and thus the lateral change in position of the strip takes place contactlessly. There is no wear on the metal processing belt and actuator, and particularly belts with very high surface finishes are not affected.

2) The metal processing belt is claimed as low as possible by the control intervention. The band, which is often tightly stretched at the yield point, is not stretched by longitudinal forces applied from the outside, but a pure bending moment is applied.

3) There are no complicated Stellreinrichtungen required. Heating and cooling can be realized very efficiently in cramped installation conditions, mechanically precise adjusting devices, which at the same time have to apply large actuating forces, can be omitted.

4) All strip materials can be used as long as a temperature moment produces sufficient elastic deformation. Especially with stainless steel strips, which are not ferromagnetic, this is an advantage over methods based on magnetic attraction of the strip.

By the method according to the invention, an average elongation in the metal process belt occur, which is compensated by suitable band tensioning devices according to the prior art. If simultaneous heating and cooling of the strip in different lateral positions is possible in the tempering device, then the method according to the invention can also be used without changing the mean strip tension. In this case, the constant tensile force in the metal processing belt must be introduced as a secondary condition in the control algorithm.

If the at least one tempering device is arranged between an upper strand and a lower strand of the metal processing belt, it requires no additional space, is protected installed and does not interfere with other process devices, which are usually located above the upper strand and occasionally below the lower strand. The same advantages apply to an embodiment of the invention in which a tempering device is arranged in a deflection roller.

If temperature control devices - seen in the longitudinal direction of the metal processing belt - are arranged one behind the other, this leads to more refined adjustment options. In particular, different temperature gradients can be set by these measures. Furthermore, it is possible to realize a partially asymmetric heating of the strip, followed by an asymmetric cooling of the strip and thus to compensate for the net heat input. This avoids e.g. Disturbances that could occur due to decreasing belt tension due to heating or excessive belt tension due to cooling. The tempering of the band can be done in one embodiment of the invention under the constraint of the unchanged mean band tension. By compensating for the transverse belt temperature gradient in a downstream belt section, one achieves a localized limitation of the temperature gradient and achieves zero net heat input.

The temperature gradient is particularly finely controlled when tempering - seen in the longitudinal direction of the metal processing belt - are arranged side by side. Depending on the number of tempering such an almost linear temperature gradient can be generated.

For various processes, it is important that the lateral position of the metal processing belt is adhered to at least one deflection roller or at least one position-critical point at which an important process step is carried out within very narrow tolerances. In order to achieve this, it is provided in one aspect of the invention that the detection of the instantaneous lateral position of the metal processing belt takes place on at least one deflection roller and / or on at least one position-critical position for the process in which the metal processing belt is used ,

According to a preferred application of the device according to the invention for the lateral position control of a metal processing belt, this device is in a belt machine with guided around pulleys, circulating in its longitudinal direction metal processing belt, on at least one AT510198B1 the process material is transported, installed.

According to a further preferred application of the device according to the invention for the lateral position control of a metal processing belt, this is incorporated into a manufacturing plant with at least one guided around pulleys, continuous in its longitudinal direction metal processing belt.

The invention will now be described in detail by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show the following: FIG. 1 is a schematic partial plan view of a deflection roller with the path of a slanted belt.

2 is a schematic partial side view, a partial supervision, and the course of the

Temperature moments of a form of the device according to the present invention.

3 is a schematic view of the temperature profile in the metal processing belt in the sectional plane A - A of Figure 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating various embodiments of FIGS

Device according to the present invention shows.

Fig. 5 is another schematic diagram showing various embodiments of the device according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the interconnection of the detection and tempering device according to the present invention.

The invention is based on the principle that a prestressed metal processing belt, which runs at an angle Θ on a rotating guide roller, passes under the assumption of low or negligible slip sideways. As shown in Figure 1, the band edge 1 runs like any other parallel to this band-solid line at the relative angle Θ on the guide roller 2. Regardless of the wrap angle α (see also FIG. 2), the band edge is moved along a helix line on the jacket of the deflection roller beginning at the contact point 3. For the other guide roller 5 with the touch point 6 of the analog movement. If the running speed of the belt is denoted by v, assuming small angles Θ for the lateral speed of the contact point 3 in the z-direction, the formula * 3 dz dz dx dz = dt 3 dx 3 dt dx xz = v * tan0sv # 0). According to FIG. 2, an oblique rising or falling at the angles θ3 and θ6 on the parallel-oriented deflection rollers 2 and 5 will cause an elastic deformation of the metal processing belt and vice versa. It is assumed that the metal processing belt 1 always remains in a plane projecting to the x-y plane due to sufficiently high bias. The elastic deformation of the metal processing belt 1 in the z-direction can therefore be done for small deformations by the linear description of a cantilever clamped on both sides. In Figure 2, the elastic deformation of the metal processing belt in the z-direction of better visibility because of greatly exaggerated. The fundamental relation for the bending line z (x) is given by z "(x) =

M (x) =

[A / (jt) + Mr (jc>] (2) where £ is the modulus of elasticity of the metal process belt, J y is the area inertia of the metal process belt is the y-axis and M (x) is the total bending moment in the metal process band that elastically deforms the metal process band in the z-direction The total bending moment in the metal process band M (x) can be represented according to equation (2) The first component is given by the bending moment due to the boundary conditions and external loads M (x), and the second component is given by the bending moment MT (x) due to the application according to the invention of a temperature field T (x, z ) via a tempering device 7.

By simple integration and use of the boundary conditions results

(3) where L denotes the center distance between the pulleys and C is a constant to be determined from the boundary conditions. From equation (3), for known C and M (x) for x = 0 we obtain directly z'3. Thus, from equation (1), the lateral velocity of the band follows at the contact point 3.

By the application according to the invention of a bending moment MT (x) over a temperature field in a certain range xa < x < xb of the metal processing belt, according to equations (1-3), the lateral course of the metal processing belt can be directly influenced. 2, the torque application according to the invention is represented by a temperature moment MT (x) = - aTED jT (x, z) 'zdz, ...................... ..................... (4) o [0042], where in the range xa < x < xb a temperature field T (x, z) by a suitable tempering device 7, which heats or cools, is applied so that the total bending moment M (x) = M (x) + MT (x) the lateral running of the belt on the pulley 2 counteracts. In equation (4), aT denotes the coefficient of thermal expansion of the material of the metal processing belt, and it is assumed that the temperature in the metal processing belt is constant over the thickness D of the belt. As shown in FIG. 3, the tempering for each cross section of the metal processing belt results in a temperature gradient over the bandwidth, which is decisive for the magnitude of the temperature moment MT (x).

The mathematical relationship between the actual total bending moment M (x) and the lateral running dynamics of the metal processing belt necessary for a controller design is described in the following references: K Schulmeister, M. Kozek: "Modeling of lateral dynamics for an endless metalprocess beit '·,

Lecture: 6th Vienna Mathmod 09, Vienna; 11.02.2009 - 13.02.2009; in: "Proceedings of the 6th Mathmod Vienna 09 ', Argesim Report, no. 35 (2009), ISBN: 978-3-901608-35-3; Paper no. 267, 9 p.

K schoolmaster. M. Kozek: "Modeling Lateral Dynamics for an Endless Steel Belt" · Lecture: 12th International Conference on the Enhancement and Promotion of Computational Methods in Engineering and Science, Hong Kong and Macao; 30.11.2009 -03.12.2009; in: "Proceedings of the Twelfth International Conference on the Enhancement and Promotion of Computational Methods in Engineering and Science", (2009), Paper no. ISCM2-553, 6 p.

Thus, an interpretation of the scheme according to the invention according to the state of the art Tech- / ATP Austria Patent Office AT510198B1 2012-05-15 nik possible.

In Figure 4 possible embodiments of the invention are shown schematically. 4a shows, by way of example, a simple belt machine 20 in a side view, the remaining illustrations FIG. 4b and 4c illustrate the belt machine 20 in two expansion stages in plan view. The endless metal processing belt 1 is guided over two cylindrical deflection rollers 2 and 5 , A tempering device 7 can apply heating or cooling power to the metal processing belt 1 in such a way that a desired temperature gradient is established. The tempering device 7 may be arranged asymmetrically to the longitudinal center axis of the metal processing belt 1 and / or composed of a plurality of individual tempering 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d, which are arranged side by side in the transverse direction 1b on the metal processing belt 1 and are driven differently.

The temperature control devices 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d according to the invention can, as shown in FIGS. 4a-c, be mounted near the belt surface facing away from the deflection roller or, as shown in FIG. 5a, near the belt surface resting on the deflection roller.

FIGS. 4b and 4c show the important subdivision of tempering device 7 into a plurality of tempering devices 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d in the transverse direction of the strip, which subdivision is common to all shown embodiments. The basic principle can be seen from FIG. 4 b, where the temperature control devices 7 a and 7 b introduce different heating powers into the metal processing belt, and thus a desired temperature gradient in the transverse direction of the belt can be set. Alternatively, one of the two devices 7a, 7b could also cool, which is efficient, above all, in tapes, which anyway are highly heated due to the hot process and have to be cooled. FIG. 4c shows a variant with multiple subdivision of the tempering devices 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d in the transverse direction of the strip. With a finer subdivision, the temperature profile in the transverse direction of the strip (see FIG. 3) can be adapted more precisely to a desired temperature gradient, up to a linearization of the profile.

If the space for installation is available, the embodiment of Fig. 5a-c can also be used. In this embodiment, tempering devices 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are mounted near the strip surface resting on the deflection roller 2. This form of execution is particularly advantageous in processes where the band process anyway heated and / or cooled. In this case, allowable temperature tolerances of the process control can be used to adjust the lateral band path.

5a-b, an embodiment is shown in which the influence of the temperature moment in the band locally between the longitudinal coordinates xa < x < xb remains limited. It is assumed here that the temperature control devices 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d can introduce both heating and cooling power into the belt. As shown in Fig.5b, the band is heated via the heater 7b and 7c and cooled by the cooling 7a and 7d. With appropriate adjustment of the heating or cooling capacity occurs in this embodiment only in the range xa < x < xb a temperature moment, and outside of this range, the tape continues to run without temperature. So that a two-sided correction of the lateral band position can take place, in this embodiment all tempering devices must be able to heat as well as cool. This embodiment could also be operated in addition so that the average tensile stress in the band 1 remains unchanged. This is the case if and only if the resulting temperature field T (x, z) does not contribute to the net length change of the strip 1 due to the positive and negative temperature differences.

Not shown is the subdivided in the axial direction heating or cooling of a pulley from the inside, which also causes the desired effect by the heat transfer from the pulley to the belt. Especially with pulleys with a large wrap angle or large diameter and low belt speed a long residence time of the belt and thus a good heat transfer is given.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic interconnection of the detection device 8a, 8b 7/12

Claims (20)

Austrian Patent Office AT510198B1 2012-05-15 and tempering 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d shown in accordance with the present invention. The belt 1 runs over two axially parallel deflection rollers 2 and 5, and the lateral position of the belt 1 is measured via the detection device 8a, optionally also the detection device 8b arranged at a position-critical position for the process. The detection devices 8a, 8b are mounted on at least one point between the contact points 3 and 6 or along the wrap of the belt on the pulley. The signals of the detection device 12 are supplied to a signal processor 9, which outputs suitable information about the tape position 13 for the controller unit 10. In the controller unit 10 suitable control signals 14 for the temperature control devices 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are continuously calculated on the basis of the continuously incoming measurement information of the belt position 13 together with parameters of the system. These signals are supplied to a power amplifier 11, which supplies the tempering devices 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d with the power necessary for the control intervention 15. 1. A method for the lateral position control of a deflection rollers (2, 5) out, rotating in its longitudinal direction or continuous metal processing belt (1), in particular steel process belt, characterized by detecting the current lateral position of the metal processing belt and generating at least one temperature gradient in the metal processing belt (1) in the transverse direction (1b) of the metal processing belt as a function of a deviation of the instantaneous lateral position of the metal processing belt from a desired lateral position. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transverse to the direction of rotation of the metal processing belt (1) extending temperature gradient by operating at least one laterally from a longitudinal central axis of the metal processing belt arranged tempering device (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) he follows. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one tempering device (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) comprises heating and / or cooling devices. 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that at least one tempering device (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) between an upper strand and a lower strand of the metal processing belt (1) is arranged. 5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least one tempering device in a deflection roller (2, 5) is arranged. 6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that tempering (7a, 7b and 7c, 7d) - seen in the longitudinal direction of the metal processing belt (1) - are arranged one behind the other. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that by operating the tempering (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) different temperature gradients are set. 8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that tempering (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) - seen in the longitudinal direction of the metal processing belt - are arranged side by side. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tempering of the belt takes place under the constraint of the unchanged mean belt tension. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the running in the belt transverse direction temperature gradient is compensated in a downstream belt section. 8/12 Austrian Patent Office AT510198B1 2012-05-15 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detection of the current lateral position of the metal processing belt on at least one deflection roller (2, 5) and / or at least one for the process in which the metal processing belt (1 ) is used, position critical position occurs. 12. Device for the lateral position control of a deflection rollers (2, 5) out, rotating in its longitudinal direction or continuous metal processing belt (1), in particular steel processing belt, characterized by at least one position sensor (8a, 8b) for detecting the current lateral position of the metal processing belt (1), at least one tempering device (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) arranged laterally from a longitudinal center axis (1a) of the metal processing belt and a controller (10) consisting of the signals of the at least one position sensor ( 8a, 8b) calculates a deviation of the instantaneous lateral position of the metal processing belt (1) from a lateral desired position and, depending on this deviation, by controlling the at least one tempering device (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) at least one temperature gradient generated in the metal processing belt in the transverse direction (1b) of the metal processing belt (1). 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the at least one tempering device (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) comprises heating and / or cooling devices, preferably on the temperature radiation principle and / or the convection principle via fluids and / or electromagnetic Induction heating based. 14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the at least one tempering device (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) between an upper run and a lower run of the metal processing belt (1) is arranged. 15. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that at least one tempering device is arranged in a deflection roller. 16. The device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that tempering (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) - in the longitudinal direction of the metal processing belt (1) seen - are arranged one behind the other, wherein the tempering preferably individually or in groups by the controller (10) are controllable. 17. Device according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that tempering (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d) - seen in the longitudinal direction of the metal processing belt - are arranged side by side, wherein the tempering preferably individually or in groups by the controller ( 10) are controllable. 18. Device according to one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that at least one belt position sensor (8a, 8b) on at least one deflection roller (2) and / or at least one for the process in which the metal processing belt (1) used is arranged, position critical position. 19. Belt machine (20) with at least one guided around deflection rollers, in its longitudinal direction circumferential metal processing belt, in particular steel processing belt on which process material is transported, characterized by a device for lateral position control of the metal processing belt according to one of claims 12 to 18 , 20. Production plant with at least one guided around pulleys, in its longitudinal direction continuous metal processing belt, in particular steel processing belt, characterized by a device for lateral position control of the metal processing belt according to one of claims 12 to 18. See 3 sheet drawings 9/12