Alusuisse Technology & Management Ltd.

Swiss Aluminum Ltd.

Robert J Dean

Peter Fehr

Roger Betschart

Lutz Kampmann

Andreas Von Ballmoos

Lorenzo Kocher

In a construction featuring sections of light metal and light-weight composite panels joined to the sections the composite panels feature a plastic core with light weight metal outer sheets bonded to both sides. The outer sheets partially overlap a light metal connecting section which is integrally incorporated in the composite panel and interlock by virtue of fit with that section. The connecting section features connecting strips that lie as pairs on corresponding connecting strips on the section. At least one of the connecting strips is riveted to this neighboring strip. The connecting strip of the connecting section is inclined at an angle with respect to a contact plane in order to create pressure on the neighboring connecting strip, and is joined at its free edge by laser welding to the neighboring connecting strip.

Construction using extruded sections and composite panels

A carriage body frame with a passenger compartment having longitudinal load-bearing sections of aluminum and light-weight composite panels between the load-bearing sections is such that the composite panels feature a plastic core with aluminum outer sheets adhesively bonded to both sides. The outer sheets extend partially over an aluminum connecting section which is integral to the composite panel; and fit to this by virtue of shape. The connecting section exhibits connecting strips which rest on correspondingly arranged connecting strips on the load-bearing section. The connecting section is joined to the load-bearing section by of laser welding. The outer sheets are joined at a free edge, likewise by laser welding, to the connecting section and, in the region of at least one connecting strip, the connecting section exhibits a U-shaped longitudinal channel which acts as a trap for adhesive and over which an outer sheet passes.

Carriage body frame

In a cold rolling mill an infra-red detector is situated a distance from the metal strip and, with respect to the direction of strip throughput, behind the roll gap formed between two work rolls. The detector determines local temperature differences linearly over the whole width of the strip and converts the infra-red radiation into electric signals to actuate means for regulating the roll gap. The metal strip in particular a thin strip on foil, emerging from the roll gap is deflected by at least one contact roll that serves as a tension roll and has low back-reflection capacity and high capacity for emission of infra-red radiation, then deflected by deflection roll/rolls without slipping, and the infra-red radiation from the contact roll/rolls registered along a mantle line and converted into control signals to actuate means for regulating the roll gap. At least the outer mantle of the contact roll/rolls is comprised of a material that can be ground, reflects little and has an infra-red emission capacity of at least 0.7 with reference to the infra-red emission capacity of a black body.

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Uhwiesen, Switzerland

Robert J Dean