Expanded metal is a common product throughout the world and much expanded metal goes through a rolling mill. These are normally very large 2-high or 4-high rolling mills that are very expensive. The top two rolls is where the reduction is taking place.
Precision measuring normally requires an entrance gauge, which records the thickness of the material going into the rolling mill.
All rolling mills should be equipped with an apron to feed and receive the part or strip. The material can be niobium, tantalum, titanium, or aluminum. These rolling mills require very large separating forces and an apron to feed and receive the small pieces at the passline of the rolls.
Expanded metal is used primarily for grating, filtration media, and fencing. Carbon and stainless steels can be perforated with holes or expanded to a diamond shaped pattern, which reduces the surface area.
