Methods and apparatus to drive material conditioning machines

A leveler apparatus comprising:

• a first work roll of a first plurality of work rolls to process a strip material;
• a second work roll of a second plurality of work rolls to process the strip material;
• a first drive motor to apply a first rolling torque to at least the first work roll;
• a second drive motor to apply a second rolling torque to at least the second work roll;
• and
• a controller to communicatively couple the first and second drive motors, wherein the controller is configured to monitor the first rolling torque and the second rolling torque and is configured to maintain a relationship between the first rolling torque and the second rolling torque by adjusting the second roller torque based on a change of the first rolling torque.

A method of leveling a strip material, the method comprising:

• uncoiling a strip material;
• moving the strip material through a first plurality of work rolls and a second plurality of work rolls of a material conditioning machine;
• driving the first plurality of work rolls via a first driving means;
• driving the second plurality of work rolls via a second driving means, the second driving means communicatively coupled to the first driving means via controlling means;
• controlling the first driving means to apply a first rolling torque to at least a first work roll of the first plurality of work rolls based on a reference input;
• measuring the first rolling torque when the first driving means is operating at the reference input;
• determining a second rolling torque using only the measured first rolling torque;
• and
• controlling, via the controlling means, the second driving means to apply the second rolling torque to at least a second work roll of the second plurality of work rolls, the controlling means to monitor and maintain a relationship between the first rolling torque and the second rolling torque by adjusting the second rolling torque based on a change of the first rolling torque.