US2390001A - Processing of metal strip and the like - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 27, 1945. F. s. SCHINDLER PROCESSING OF METAL STRIP AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 27, 1945. F. s. SCHINDLER 2,390,001

PROCESSING OF METAL STRIP AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FRANK S. -SCHINDLEF! Nov. 27, 1945. F. s. SCHINDLER PROCESSING OF METAL STRIP AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 glwucnfoz FRANK S. SCHINDLER Nov. 27, 1945. F. s. SCHINDLER PROCESSING OF METAL STRIP AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 65 FRANK S. SCHINDLER Nov. 27, 1945. F. s. SCH INDLER PROCESSING OF METAL STRIP AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FRANK S,SCH|NDLER Mew;

Nov. 27, 1945. F. s. SCHINDLER PROCESSING OF METAL STRIP AND THE LIKE Filed May 20, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FRA K S,SCHINDLER f We;

Patented Nov. 27, 1945 PROCESSING OF METQL STRIP AND THE Frank S. Schindler, Warren, Ohio, assignor to The Brainard Steel Corporation, Warren, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 20, 1942, Serial No. 443,765

13 Claims.

This invention relates to method and apparatus for processing elongated coilable material such as metal strip and box strapping, for example, and more particularly to improved methods, devices, and arrangements of devices whereby the particular processes being eil'ected may be more economically and expeditiously carried out, particularly in a plant capable of operating at substantial rates of production.

In the processing of metal strip, box strapping, wire and the like, which processing may include cleaning, pickling, galvanizing, coating, and similar operations, it is common practice to begin with the material in coil form as received from the mill and to thread the material through the various devices employed in carrying out the particular process involved, and upon completion of the process to recoil the material for shipping.

The operation is essentially continuous, the trailing end of one coil length being welded or otherwise suitably secured to the leading end of another coil length and at the recoiling station the material is severed upon the completion of one coil and a new coil started as is well understood.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved arrangement for controlling the tension in the material during its passage through the apparatus and as it is wound into new coils at the completion of the process whereby the control of the operation of the apparatus is facilitated, the required position of the material relative to the apparatus accurately maintained, and the condition of the completed coil controlled. In coiling certain material, such as box strapping, for example, it is essential that the tension in the material be accurately controlled as it goes into the coil since a tension which is too low will result in a soft coil which is difiicult to handle while a tension which is too high will effect a coil set in the material which is objectionable in the final use of the material.

It is, accordingly, another object of the invention to provide an improved coiling apparatus which is operative to maintain the tension in the material being coiled within predetermined limits regardless of variation in diameter of the coil. A more specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved method and apparatus for coiling box strapping and other elongated material which is operative to maintain a desired tension in the material as stated above while correlating its operation with the operation of a plant or device from which the material issues whereby the required tensioning is eflected irrespective of variations in the speed of operation of the supplying plant or device. Another more specific object of the invention is the provision of improved coiling apparatus having one or both of the modes of operation outlined herein which is provided with at least two coiling reels which are interpositionally mounted so that a completed coil may be unloaded from one reel while another coil is being built up on the other reel, the unloading being always accomplished from the same side of the apparatus.

In order to achieve a substantial rate of production, it is common practice, particularly in processing relatively small sections such as box strapping, t run a number of lines of the section through the treating or processing devices simultaneously. For example, in electrolytic galvanizing and in coating metal box strapping, it has been heretofore proposed to run ten or more strips through the apparatus simultaneously in side by side relation. In multiple operation of this nature substantial difllculty has heretofore been encountered in avoiding slack or tension in the respective strips between the pay-off reels and the point of entrance of the strips into the processing equipment, in maintaining a uniform tension in the respective strips during their passage through the equipment, and in maintaining uniform tension in the respective strips as they are rewound into coils on the take-up reels. The present invention provides an operative and practical arrangement for handling the strips in such manner that these diificulties are avoided. This is accomplished, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, by employing a tensioning roll or rolls having a yieldable peripheral surface or surfaces and positioned intermediate the pay-oil reels and the entrance to the processing equipment and over which the strips are entrained. A similar roll or set of rolls is positioned intermediate the discharge point of the equipment and the recoiling reels and is arranged to be driven by a direct-current motor through suitable gearing. A similar motor is similarly connected to the tensioning roll or rolls and by individually controlling the resistances in series with the field windings of these motors as well as the voltage supplied to the motors, the desired speed of operation and tensioning in the strips may be attained. The electrical machine connected to the tensioning roll or rolls may function either as a motor to balance the excess of power required to operate the pay-off reels and move the strips to the roll or rolls as against the back tension or power required to maintain the desired tension in the strips in the processing equipment,

' so that the tension in the respective strips as they are rewound in the coils may be controlled and in addition the operation of these reels may be controlled as a unit so that variation of the control and operation of the processing equipment may be readily reflected in the operation of the take-up reels. The use of the yieldable rolls mentioned above keeps the tension in the strips uniform since, apparently, an excess tension in one of the strips will depress the portions of the rolls contacted by the strip thus decreasing the effective diameter of such portions thereby slowing up the strip and reducing the tension. In this manner each strip is balanced one against the other and entirely uniform results are attained.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved coiling device which is operative to maintain a predetermined tension in the material being coiled regardless of the diameter of the coil but in which means is provided to control the speed of the device upon the failure of such tension. This feature prevents the reel from reaching a dangerously high speed of rotation upon the breaking or paying out of the material, or upon failure of the back tensioning device.

A specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved plant lay-out for carrying out a coating process, involving the use of a drying oven, which is of particular applicability where a number of strips, wires, or the like, are to be simultaneously treated. To effect a reasonable rate of production while affording proper oven drying time, the path of travel through the oven must be quite long. The long oven is utilized, in accordance with the invention, as a support and as a secondary drying medium for the strips simply by directing the strips as they issue from the oven back over the top of the oven to the pullout rolls positioned above the tensioning rolls so that the heat lost through the walls of the oven may be employed, to some extent, in further drying the strips before they are rewound into coils. This arrangement has the further advantage of grouping the principal mechanical and electrical parts of plant, thus contributing to the economy of installation and maintenance of the equipment, and facilitating the control of the equipment. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the oven and its adjuncts are mounted in elevated position with respect to the floor of the mill buildings for economy of space.

A still further specific object of the invention is the provision of an improved and simplified apparatus for applying coating material to metal box strapping, strip or other material and an improved arrangement for operating such apparatus in accordance with the speed of travel of the material being coated. The invention also provides an improved method and arrangement for printing trademark or other indicia on metal box strapping or strip in conjunction with the coating of such material.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed specification and the accompanying drawings wherein there is specifically illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 are a plan and a side elevation, respectively, in schematic outline, of a coating plant constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Figure 3 is an end elevation, partly in section,

of a roll assembly formin part of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the coating material applying assembly forming part of the apparatus in Figures 1 and 2;

Figures 5 and 6 are front and side elevations, respectively, partly in section, of one of the coiling devices used in the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 7 is a transverse section through one of the uncoiling assemblies used in the apparatus, and Figures 8 and 9 are a plan and a section, re-

spectively, of a hub for the reels of Figure '7; and,

Figure 10 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical energizing and control system utilized in the specifically disclosed apparatus.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the invention, which apparatus is operative to coat, dry, and re-coil a multiplicity of metal lengths simultaneously, a plurality of uncoiling assemblies 10 and a corresponding number of recoilers l I are supported on the floor l2 of a'suitable mill building, not shown. These lengths, indicated by reference numeral l3, may consist of narrow metal strips as box strapping, for example, and are drawn off the uncoilers by a pair of oifset rolls T which are shown in detail in Figure 3. The strips I3 are entrained over the rolls MT in the manner shown so that considerable driving or retarding friction is developed between the rolls and strips.

Reference-numeral [5 indicates a coating roll stand, one or both coating material applying rolls of which may be driven by an offset pair of rolls It, as more clearly indicated in Figure 4. From coating stand I5 the strips pass into a drying oven I! which in practice is quite long so as to enable a substantial rate of production to be maintained yet affording the required length of dryin time. A combustion chamber I! mounted at the side of oven I! provides the heat required in the oven. As indicated, oven I1 is of the insulated type, having inner and outer casings walls, and the strip inlet and outlet are located on opposite end walls near the top thereof.

Adjacent the strip outlet of oven I1 is a watercooled idler roll i9 over which the strips are entrained and from the roll IS the strips l3 pass onto supporting rolls 20 mounted above the oven II, as indicated, and thence to an offset pair of rolls P which are identical in all respects with the rolls set MT. From rolls P the strips pass to the recoiler ll.

By referring to Figure 2 it will be apparent that a substantial tension must be maintained in each of the strips intermediate the rolls HT and the roll l9 to prevent any of the strips from sagging and scraping against the bottom edges of the inlet or outlet or the bottom of the oven, which condition would, of course, scrape off the coating applied by stand l5 and thereby render the product unsalable. Also it should be apparent that the tension must be substantially uniform in the respective'strips and that the tension must be variable to accommodate strips of different size and weight. Moreover, the strip engaging means intermediate the oven and the uncoilers must be operative to draw the strip from the reels of the uncoilers as well as to effect the required back tension in the strip in the oven. The accompiishment of these functions may require either a driving or a braking effect, depending on various con,

vides'for this alternate condition as well as for the proper tensioning of the strips in the oven, the uniformity of tension, means to readily control the speed of operation and tension, as well as for other improved features of operation, by the apparatus now to be described.

Referring to Figure 3, each of the rolls l 4, which serve as the rolls MP and [41 in the assembly of Figures 1 and 2. may consist of a steel core 2| and an outer peripheral cover 22 of some yieldable material as soft rubber, for example. In practice the covering 22 should have a thickness of the order of one inch so that in the event a particular strip entrained over the rolls is too highly tensioned, the same will depress its track on the roll to thereby decrease the effective diameter of the rolls insofar as the overtensioned strip is concerned, thereby decreasing the relative speed of travel of the strip and thus reducing its tension. Rolls l4 are interconnected by gears 23 and in mesh with one of the gears 23 is a pinion 24 mounted on shaft 25 carrying a second gear 25. In mesh with gear 26 is a driving pinion 21 which is keyed to the shaft of a direct-current motor 28.

It should be observed that by reason of the fact that the tension extended by the take-up reels l I is much greater than the tension extended by the pay-off reels 10 the equalization of tension in the various lengths behind the rolls I4? is effected primarily by the rolls I4P. This is so because the greater tension results in greater yielding in the covers 22 throughout substantially the whole of the circumferential extent of contact between the covers and the lengths.

As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 10, the roll set I4T is, in effect, positioned at the entering end of the coating and drying assembly while a similar roll set M? is, in effect, positioned at the discharge end of the coating and drying assembly. These roll sets and their drives are identical and operate to control the speed and tension of the strips in the assembly as well as to equalize the tension between the respective strips as explained above. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the roll sets and coating apparatus are supported on an elevated platform 29 and the drying oven I! is likewise carried on an elevated support 30. This arrangement is of definite advantage since the floor space below the supports 29, 30, which is substantial, is available r for manufacturing or storage space while the principal mechanical and electrical parts of the assembly are grouped for economy of installation and maintenance and for facility of control,

I Figure 10 the motor driving the pull-out rolls HP is designated as 281 and the motor coupled with rolls I4'I bears a reference numeral 28T. These motors are, in accordance with the preferred and illustrated embodiment of the invention, arranged to be energized from a common direct-current supply line 3| leading from a direct-current generator 32 which is driven by the motor 33. Motor 33 is energized from the commercial power supply which ordinarily is threephase alternating current but for simplicity the drawings show merely a single phase supply. In Figure 10 the reference numeral 34 represents a control panel and on the same is a rheostat 35 to vary the resistance in series with the generator shunt field 36. As is well understood, adjustment of the rheostat 35 varies the voltage of the current supplied to the line 3|. A voltmeter 31, also on the panel 34, indicates the voltage being supplied by generator 32. A rheostat 38 controls the resistance in series with the shunt field 39 of the motor 2UP and a rheostat 40 controls the resistance in series with the shunt field 4| of the motor 281.

It should be understood that any of the other known methods of control may be utilized in connection with the individual motors 28F and 28T. For example, these motors may be series or compound wound and individual control effected by armature-resistance or field-reluctance control since the general result sought is the controlling of the tension in the strips intermediate the rolls [4P and T by the control of one or the other or both of the motors while a unitary control element, as the rheostat 35, for example, controls the speed of operation without materially alterin the tension effected.

Between the tensioning rolls HT and the oven I1 is the paint applying apparatus shown more fully in Figure 4. This apparatus may include two spaced housings 42 in which is journaled a pair of paint applying or transferring rolls 43. These rolls are resilient, being provided with tires of rubber or other yieldable material and while the lower roll is fixed in the housings, the upper roll is immediately Journaled in blocks 44 which slide vertically in the windows 45 of the housings 42. Means are provided to apply pressure between the rolls and this means may take the form of compression springs 46 which are adjusted by the hold-down screws 41. Suitably journaled in a support, not shown, adjacent the entering side of the rolls 43 are the offset idler rolls l6 about which the strips are entrained as shown. Also as indicated in Figure 4, the rolls ii are coupled together by means of the gears 48 and one of the rolls drives the coating rolls 43 by means of a chain 49. The purpose of this arrangement is to insure that the surface speed of the rolls 43 is exactly the same as the linear speed of the strips [3. If desired, the two rolls 43 may be coupled together by means of gears or a chain but ordinarily the frictional contact between the rolls is sufficient. A pump 50 driven by motor 5| transfers the coating liquid from the supply vat 52 to the rolls 43 through the distributing lines 53. The coating material dripping off the rolls 43 is collected in a pan 54 and then drains back into vat 52 by gravity. It is found that by driving the rolls 43 in the manner described their working surfaces are maintained in good condition over long periods of use even when considerable pressure is maintained between them. By maintaining this pressure between the rolls it is found that the side edges of the strips as well as the top and bottom surfaces are uniformly coated with the material being applied. Heretofore in coating strip material such as box strapping difficulty was encountered in applying any material to the side edges of the stock or in avoiding the formation of nodes on the side edges of the same. These difficulties are avoided by the present assembly and the strips are found to be uniformly coated on all four surfaces.

Referring to Figures 7, 8 and 9, which illustrate one of the uncoiling devices used in the assembly of Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 55 indicates a base on which is swivabl mounted a support 55 for swinging movement about a vertical axis. Member 56 is retained in either one of its two interchanged positions by the spring-pressed lever 51. Mounted for rotational movement about vertical axes at either end of support 56 is a reel 58. Each of the reels 58 consists of a fiat disk 59 to which is .welded or otherwise suitably secured a hub member consisting of a central r 60 having outwardly and downwardly extending legs 8|. when uncoiling coils of larger internal diameter a second hub member consisting of a central ring 62 and outwardly and downwardly extending legs 83 is applied over the smaller hub and removably connected with the disk 59. For this latter purpose the disk 59 is apertured radially outward but circumferentially spaced relative to the lower ends of the legs 8| and into the apertures thus provided are inserted the reduced ends 84 oi the legs 83. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the double reel uncoiling assemblies are arranged to be locked in the position shown and as a coil on one of the reels is being unwound by being drawn through the processing apparatus the other reel of the uncoiler is loaded with a fresh'coil. As the first coil approaches its end it is removed irom its reel, the second reel is then shifted into operative positiomand the trailing end of the first coil 'welded or otherwise suitably attached to the leading end of the fresh coil by suitable apparatus, not shown. This process is repeated at the different uncoilers as the coils run out and ii the uncoiling station is tended by an experienced operator a continuous supply of strip is furnished the processing equipment. In practice, suitable devices are provided to guide the various strips onto the rolls MT in proper side by side relation.

An important feature of the present invention is the method of coiling or recoiling the strips after issuing from the processing equipment, in

preparation for shipping. As explained above, a coil which is wound under too heavy tension acquires a set which is not removed when the coil is unwound by the user. The material then tends to resume its convolutional form and is difficult to handle and apply. If the coil is wound too loosely it will not retain its form in shipping and will tend to fly apart when its ties are removed. The present invention provides a practical arrangement for governing the tension in each coil individually while enabling the coiling of all the strips to be controlled in unison tocompensate for changes in the speed of operation of the processing equipment. This is accomplished by providing a separate coiling device, having the characteristics now to be described, for each of the strips passing through the processing equipment. all as indicated in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 the coiling devices each consist of a base 85 from which extends vertically a stanchion 86 which rotatably supports at its upper end a horizontally disposed carrier 81. Carrier 81 is rotatable about a vertical axis into either one of two interchanged positions 180 apart, the latch 88 bein provided to retain the carrier in selected position. Rotatably mounted at either end of carrier 81 is a reel 88 having a collapsible hub or drum 68. Connected with the reel 88 is a wheel Ill having a peripheral gear preferably in the form of a closed chain H. It should be understood that an identical reel and wheel assembly 69-1! is rotatably mounted on also the opposite end of the carrier 81.

The reels 89 are arranged to be alternately driven by the sprockets l2 keyed on a shaft 13. The latter is journaled on a yieldable support 15, the spring 16 tending to maintain the support 15 in its upper limited position while allowing the support to be depressed when required. Shaft 13 is driven by a direct-current motor 11 through belt 18. It should be apparent that the sprocket I2 is operative to drive either of the reels 88, 89 and, in operation, when a coil is completed on the reel which is being driven, the strip is cut and the latch 88 released to allow the coil to be transferred to the discharge end of the coiler and to position the empty reel in position to be driven by the sprocket l2.

Inasmuch as the width of a coil may be substantially wider than the stock being coiled it is desirable to provide means to guide the material back and forth across the width of the coil. This is accomplished by the present invention by pivotally mounting an arm 19 and oscillating the same by a cam driven by shaft 13 through belt 8| and worm gear reducer 82. The upper end of arm 19 mounts a guiding assembly consisting of horizontally disposed supporting rolls 88 and vertically disposed side guide rolls 84. It should be apparent that as the arm oscillates about its pivot point the strip passing between the rolls 34 will be guided from one to the other side of the coil beim-j. wound. Also mounted on the arm 18 is a switch 88 which is provided with an operating arm 81 having a strip engaging roller 88. When the strip I3 is under tension the switch 88 is held open but if for any reason the strip l3 loses its tension or is removed from the reel and/or guide 83, 84 the switch 88 will close. The purpose of switch 88 will be explained below.

Referring again to Figure 10, each of the coiling motors 'I'! is preferably of a compound type, having a series field winding 81 and a shunt field winding 88. Motors 11 are energized from a supply line 89 which is fed by the output of a directcurrent generator 90 having a shunt field 8| and a rheostat 82 in series therewith, the rheostat being mounted on the panel 34. A voltmeter 83, also mounted on panel 34, indicates the voltage of the current furnished the line 89 as adjusted by the rheostat 92. Generator 90 is driven by a motor 94 which is connected to the commercial current line.

Reference numeral 95 represents control equipment including solenoid operated contactors to make and break the circuit to the motors 33 and 94 through the line 98, and automatic motor starting equipment, if required. The contactors are arranged to be remotely controlled by the control stations SI, S2 and S3, the first of which is mounted in a position convenient to the rolls HP and T, the second of which is on the panel 34, and third of which is located at the recoiling station. Each of the control stations SI, S2, S3, is provided with starting and stopping buttons and the circuits are preferably of the holding type. Commercial current is furnished the distributing equipment 95 through line 91.

During normal operation, coiling motors ll are operated as straight series motors and for individual control purposes a rheostat 88 may be inserted in the motor supply line. Each motor 11 is also provided with'a cutoff switch 89 and in practice, switch 89 and rheostat 98 are conveniently supported on the stanchion 86. The series motor is well suited for the present purpose since the maintaining of a uniform tension in the strip requires the application of an increasing torque to the reel as the diameter of the coil increases and this is provided for by the greater torque delivered by the motor at its decreased operating speed, it being observed that the motor must decrease in speed as the coil increases in diameter. This motor also provides for the rapid rotation of the reel in starting a coil to take up the slack which accumulates in a particular strip after the same is severed from a preceeding coil.

The rheostat 82 provides an efiective means of controlling the operation of the various motors 11 as a unit without varying the tension effected in the respective strips by the individual motors. This is so since for a given opposing torque the speed of a series motor is directly proportional to the voltage impressed on it. Thus by controlling rheostat 92 in accordance with adjustments made in rheostat 3B the entire operation of the assembly may be readily kept in balance. It is contemplated that suitable mechanical interlinkage may be provided between the operating arms of rheostat 35 and 92 to further simplify the control, if desired. Also it should be apparent that current in the line 89 may be furnished by the generator 32 but at some sacrifice of flexibility.

It should be understood that each of the coiling motors ll employed are energized from line 89 and in the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 ten such motors would be employed. Figure 10 shows but two such motors to simplify the drawings. Each coiling unit is provided with a strip operated switch 88 as explained above, and by referring to Figure 10 it will be noted that these switches are in series with the shunt field windings 88 of the motor 11. As indicated in Figure 6, if tension in the strip 13 is removed for any reason or 11 the strip pays out, the switch arm 81 will drop, thereby closing switch 86. This connects the shunt 88 across the motor energizing line and when so connected the motor 11 functions as a cumulative-compound motor and as such has a safe limitin speed as is well understood. It should be noted that the motor is operative in the absence of tension in the strip, which feature .is of advantage in that slack which accumulates in strip i 3 while the reels were interchanged may be readily taken up.

It is frequently desirable to print trade-mark or other indicia on the strip and this may be readily accomplished in my apparatus by positioning a printing roll or rolls Hill in pressure contact with the strip or strips as the latter pass over the water cooled roll l9. In accordance with usual practice, an ink transfer roll |l may be positioned in rolling contact with the printing roll I00. The positioning of the printing appa ratus at the exit end of the drying oven 11 is particularly advantageous since at this stage the coating on the strip has not yet attained its final hardness or set and consequently the printing is effectively fused on the surface of the coated strip. The printing is dried and the coating is further dried as the strip progresses over the supporting rolls 20.

It should now be apparent that I have provided an improved plant and apparatus which accomplishes the objects initially set out. With a drying oven length of approximately 60 ft. produc tion speeds of the order of 60 ft. per minute may be attained and, of course, the total length or strip production is determined by the number of lengths or strips simultaneously processed. In the apparatus specifically disclosed this total production amounts to approximately 600 it. per minute. The organization and control aspects of the plant are such that this production may be attained while requirin but few experienced operatives at the apparatus.

An important result of the plant and apparatus of the invention is the facility with which the same may be changed over to coat or process material of different dimensions and character. For example, if the apparatus has been coating box strapping and is to be changed over to coat 1" box strapping, the change would require a greater tension in the oven. due to the increased weight of the material, and this greater tension may be readily effected by manipulation of either 01' the rheostats 38 and 40. This heavier material also requires a greater back tension at the coilers and this change can be effected by ad-' Justment of the rheostats 92 and/or 98. The speed of operation which is determined by the furnace drying capacity and the type of coating material used is readily controlled by the rheostats 35 and 92. It should also be apparent that the flexibility of the system allows different size material to be processed simultaneously since the differential coiling tension required may be taken care of by individual reel adjustment.

The above specifically described embodiment of the invention should be considered as illustrative only since obviously many changes (only some of which have been indicated above) may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for processing simultaneously and continuously a plurality of lengths of coilable material comprising in combination a plurality of freely revolving pay-oil reels, processing equipment having an entering end and a discharge end, a roll having a yieldable peripheral surface intermediate said reels and said entering end, a similar roll at the discharge end of said processing equipment, said lengths being adapted to be entrained over said rolls. means to control the rotation of said first mentioned roll, and means to drive said second mentioned roll.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including a plurality of take-up reels beyond said second mentioned roll in the path of travel of said material, and means to maintain substantially constant tension in said lengths intermediate said second mentioned roll and said take-up reels.

3. Apparatus for processing simultaneously and continuously a plurality of lengths of coilable material comprising in combination a processing device having an entering end and a discharge end, a roll over which said lengths are adapted to be entrained to effect back tension in said lengths at the entering end of said device, a roll having a yieldable peripheral surface at the discharge and of said device over which said lengths are adapted to be entrained, means to control the rotation of said first mentioned roll, and means. to drive said second mentioned roll.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 further "including a unitary control element to simultaneously vary the speed of rotation of both said rolls, and separable control elements to vary the operation of said rolls individually whereby the composite tension in said lengths intermediate said rolls may be controlled as desired.

5. Apparatus for processing simultaneously and continuously a plurality of lengths of metallic material comprising in combination a processing device having an entering end and a discharge end, a roll over which said lengths are adapted to be entrained to eiiect back tension in said lengths at the entering end of said device, a roll having a yieldable peripheral surface at the discharge end of said device over which said lengths are adapted to be entrained, a motor for each of said rolls, a power supply, means to control said supply whereby the speed of rotation of said rolls may be controlled in unison, and means to control the operation of said motors individually whereby the composite tension in said lengths intermediate said rolls may be controlled as desired.

6. Apparatus for processing simultaneously and continuously a plurality oi lengths oi metallic material comprising in combination a processing device having an entering end and a discharge end. means to effect back tension in said lengths at the entering end of said device, means comprising a roll having a yieidable peripheral suriace for eiiecting a pulling tension in said lengths at the discharge end of said device, a coiling device for each length positioned in the path of travel of said lengths beyond said second mentioned means, a unitary control element for varying the operation of said first and second mentioned means simultaneously whereby the speed of travel 01' said lengths through said processing device may be varied without altering substantially the tension in said lengths, and means to control the operation of all said coiling devices simultaneously whereby the coiling speed may be readily adiusted to compensate, for changes made in processing speed without substantially affecting the tension in the respective lengths intermediate said second mentioned means and said coiling devices.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 further including additional control means to vary the operation of said first and second mentioned means individually whereby the tension of said lengths in said processing device may be varied.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 further including additional control means to vary the operation of said coiling devices individually whereby the tension in the respective lengths intermediate the second mentioned means and said coiling devices may be varied.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising in combination a source of a plurality of coilable metallic lengths, a treating station, a roll at the entering end of said station, over which said lengths are entrained in side by side relation, a roll at the discharge end of said station and having a yieidable peripheral surface over which said lengths are similarly entrained, a rotating electrical machine coupled with said first mentioned roll and operable either as a driving motor or as an electrodynamic brake depending on the balance between the composite tension in said lengths intermediate said source and said first mentioned roll and the composite tension in said lengths desired in said station, and means to drive said second mentioned roll.

10. Apparatus for simultaneously and continuously coating a number of metallic lengths comprising in combination a rollover which the lengths are adapted to be entrained in side by side relation to eiiect back tension in said lengths, means to control the rotation of said roll, a drying oven, a pair of coating rolls forming a coating pass intermediate said tensioning roll and said oven, a pull-out roll over which said lengths are adapted to be entrained after issuing from said oven, said last mentioned roll being provided with inherent means comprising a yieidable outer surface to decrease. the pulling speed in the respective lengths upon an increase in tension therein whereby a substantially uniform tension is maintained in said lengths in said oven.

11. In apparatus for coating a continuous metallic length moving linearly comprising a pair of resilient coating rolls having pressure engagement with each other and defining a coating pass, means to apply flowable coating material to said rolls on the entering side thereof, a roll adjacent said side and over which said length is adapted to be entrained, and means coupling said last mentioned roll and at least one of said coating rolls whereby the surface speed of said coating rolls is synchronized with the linear speed of said length.

12. In apparatus for simultaneously and continuously processing a multiplicity of metallic lengths a recoiling station comprising a multiplicity of coiling reels, a direct-current driving motor for each of said reels, a source or direct current and means to vary the voltage thereof; each of said motors having a series and a shunt field winding, a rheostat to control the flow of current through said series winding, and a switch in series with said shunt winding; and means operable upon failure in tension in any length to close the shunt switch of the motor driving the reel connected with said length.

13. A recoiling station for simultaneously eiiecting the coiling of a plurality of metallic lengths comprising in combination a plurality of coiling drums or mandrels, means to rotate said drums or mandrels, means to vary the speed of operation of all said drums or mandrels, in unison, means to control the operation of said drums or mandrels individually whereby the tension in the respective lengths may be controlled, and means to limit the speed of rotation oi said drums or mandrels upon the failure of tension in said lengths.

FRANK s. SCHINDLER.

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