4. Conclusion

Improving the performance of rolling is a constant in the history of this technique. This will continue to be the case in the future, and will therefore require research both in the laboratory and on pilot plants, as well as in factories and at manufacturers' sites.

Some of the paths of this evolution are already known:

• increased reductions through optimized use of cages, cooling and lubrication (reduced number of passes);

• the use of sizing presses on the belt train;

• simplification of rolling patterns;

• quality improvement (dimensions and appearance) linked to improved measurements on the production line;

• automating operations during shutdowns, and improving cylinder life to reduce...