Sheet levelling with LaserShear
We level sheets and significantly reduce the residual stress left in the material after rolling, cooling and coiling. The sheets are more stable during further processing, lift less and the cut parts retain their required shape more reliably.
What sheet levelling means
During levelling, the sheet passes through a series of precisely adjusted rolls. These bend it alternately in both directions. The bending intensity gradually decreases towards the exit until the sheet is flat.
This process improves more than sheet flatness. It also helps distribute residual stress more evenly and significantly reduce it within the material.
A sheet may look flat at first, yet bend or twist once a part is cut out. Appearance alone therefore does not tell you how the material will behave during cutting, bending or welding.
Levelling aims to produce a more stable sheet that behaves more predictably during further processing.
Levelling is a standard part of cut-to-length processing on our line. We can also provide it separately for existing sheets. In this case, we check processing options based on their dimensions, thickness and grade.
Why residual stress develops in sheets
Residual stress can develop in the material during production, particularly when steel strip is rolled, cooled and wound into a coil.
After uncoiling, the strip may partly retain the curvature of the coil. It may also retain unevenly distributed residual stresses that are invisible to the naked eye.
The problem often becomes apparent only after a part has been cut out. The stress distribution in the material changes and the part may:
- bend,
- twist,
- lift,
- change its original dimensions.
During laser cutting, a sheet that lifts can reduce cutting accuracy. In extreme cases, it may come into contact with the cutting head, potentially damaging it and interrupting production.
Reducing residual stress therefore helps with laser cutting as well as subsequent bending, welding and assembly.
How levelling works
The material passes between the upper and lower rows of levelling rolls. These bend the sheet alternately in one direction and then the other.
The initial bending is more pronounced. It gradually decreases towards the exit until the sheet achieves the required flatness.
Correct roll settings depend on:
- the steel grade and strength,
- material thickness,
- sheet width,
- its initial flatness,
- the subsequent processing method.
To prepare a quotation, we therefore need to know the exact material grade as well as the dimensions.
Three LaserShear levels
We recommend one of three levels based on how you will process the sheet further.
- LaserShear Precisely cut and levelled sheets ready for standard further processing.
- LaserShear STABLE Sheets with reduced residual stress. Particularly suitable for laser cutting and for parts where dimensional stability matters.
- LaserShear PRECISION The properties of STABLE with both longitudinal edges of the coil trimmed. The result is a sheet with the agreed width and finished longitudinal edges.
See the levelling line and the full process
Which sheets we can level
Our line processes material from 2 to 15 mm thick.
When processing coils, the width can be up to 2,000 mm. The maximum finished sheet length is 12,000 mm.
We most commonly process these steel grades:
We level hot-rolled sheets.
The full dimensional range may not be available for every steel grade and strength. For high-strength materials such as S500MC and S700MC, levelling options depend more heavily on the combination of thickness and width. We therefore assess each such requirement individually.
Who sheet levelling is for
Levelled sheets are suitable wherever accuracy, part stability and smooth subsequent production matter.
The service is mainly used by:
- laser and CNC cutting centres,
- manufacturers of precision engineering components,
- steel structure manufacturers,
- automotive industry suppliers,
- companies that subsequently bend or weld the parts.
What we need for a quotation
Send us:
- steel grade,
- material thickness,
- sheet width and length,
- quantity in pieces or tonnes,
- whether you are supplying a coil or finished sheets,
- how the material will be processed further.
Also tell us whether the sheet is intended for laser cutting, bending or welding. We will recommend the appropriate LaserShear level accordingly.
If you are unsure which to choose, send us a description of the parts you make. We will suggest a solution to suit your production.