Methods and apparatus for rolling bars, rods and wire

In a method of operating a rolling line for the rolling of bars, rods or wire, in which rolling line a number or rolling stands are arranged in tandem and are combined to form at least one rolling block of which at least the last rolling stand at its delivery end has a separate drive with speed regulation which is independent of the other rolling stands, the improvement comprising the step of momentarily driving the rolls of the said last rolling stand at a higher rotational speed difference than their normal operating speed difference relative to the stands arranged in advance thereof during the running through of the leading and trailing end portions of the bars, rods and wires through the said last rolling stand whereby increased tension is applied to said leading and trailing ends between said last rolling stand and the stand preceding it to reduce said leading and trailing ends are reduced in cross section to a greater degree than the central longitudinal portion of said bars, rods or wires between said last stand and the preceding stand.