a method and apparatus for rolling strip in line with a continuous caster is disclosed . a slab capable of being coiled say 1 . 5 inches or less , is passed through an in - line furnace to homogenize temperature and is thereafter coiled in one of two vertically aligned coilers in either side of the pass line . the slab is then payed off into a rolling mill while a subsequent slab is coiled in the other of the two coiler furnaces .