ROBUST BAND TENSION CONTROL

A metal band (1) is first rolled in a front (upstream) and then in a rear (downstream) roll stand (2a, 2b) of a multi-stand rolling train. A looper (3) applied on the metal band (1) between the roll stands (2a, 2b) detects a band tension (Z) present in the metal band (1). The band tension (Z) is supplied to a first and a second tension controller (8, 9), which determine an application additional target value (δs*, δF*) and a speed additional target value (δv*). The second tension controller (9) only determines a value less than or greater than 0, as the speed additional target value (δv*), if the band tension (Z) is above or below an upper or lower band tension limit (Z1, Z2). Otherwise, same returns the speed additional target value (δv*) to the value 0. The first tension controller (8) is also supplied with a target tension (Z*) that falls between the band tension limits (Z1, Z2). The first tension controller (8) determines the application additional target value (δs*, δF*) using a determining standard based on the deviation of the band tension (Z) from the target tension (Z*). The determining standard also permits a value different to 0 as the application additional target value (δs*, δF*) if the band tension (Z) falls between the band tension limits (Z1, Z2). The application additional target value (δs*, δF*) acts on the rear roll stand (2b). The speed additional target value (δv*) acts on the front roll stand (2a) with a positive indicator, or on the rear roll stand (2b) with a negative indicator.