Services

Stretcher Leveling

With vast investments in the latest stretcher leveling technology and equipment, Kloeckner can generate the metal sheet flatness required of any downstream process. Our advanced leveling systems eliminate internal stresses, resulting in sheets that remain flat and stable during cutting, forming, or welding. This level of precision ensures greater consistency and quality across manufacturing stages. By delivering exceptionally flat material, Kloeckner helps customers improve throughput, reduce scrap, and optimize their production workflows.

 

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Stretcher Leveling Process

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With a product line spanning 190,000 plus products, Kloeckner is proud of its investments in stretcher leveling and our ability to produce first-class sheet product. Our stretcher leveling system allows us to produce sheet to exact customer specification above and beyond the flatness required of downstream processes like drilling, forming, blanking, and laser cutting. In addition, we offer just-in-time delivery and streamlined logistics, saving our customers time while reducing their costs across the supply chain.

Products That Undergo Stretcher Leveling

Special Stretcher Leveling Equipment

Branches Featuring Stretcher Leveling

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Industries Served by Stretcher Leveling

Automotive

Kloeckner is a leader in raw material...

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Heavy Equipment

Between our long experience in heavy equipment...

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Heavy Trucks

With locations across the United States offering...

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Trailer and Truck

Kloeckner Metals is proud to supply metals...

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Solar

With processes and products that match our...

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Wind

Kloeckner Metals is proud to be a...

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Oil & Gas

With reliable, advanced, and cost-effective solutions at...

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Mining

Kloeckner Metals is proud to supply the...

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Fabricators & Machine Shops

Kloeckner leads the fabricators & machine shops...

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Appliance

Spearheading processes and products that match the...

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is stretcher leveling?

    Answer:

    Stretcher leveling is a metal fabrication process used to flatten and straighten metal sheets, plates, and other flat products. The process involves passing the metal product through a series of rollers, which stretch and compress the metal to remove any curves, waves, or other distortions.

    It is performed using a machine known as a stretcher leveler, which typically consists of a series of rollers mounted on a frame. The metal product is fed into the machine and then passed through the rollers, which are positioned at various angles to each other. The rollers stretch and compress the metal as it passes through, removing any distortions and producing a flat, straight product.

    The process is commonly used in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, consumer goods, energy, and manufacturing, wherever the need for flat, straight metal products is required. Stretcher leveling is especially useful for large metal sheets and plates, as it is more efficient and cost-effective than manually flattening the metal by hand.

  • What is stretcher leveling used for?

    Answer:

    Stretcher leveling is used to flatten sheet metal by eliminating internal stresses, ensuring the material stays flat during cutting, welding, or forming. This process is essential for applications where even minor warping or coil memory can lead to downstream defects, misalignments, or wasted material.

    Industries such as automotive, appliance manufacturing, construction, and aerospace rely on stretcher-leveled materials to maintain structural integrity and precision fit. By removing residual stresses and producing a “memory-free” sheet, stretcher leveling improves part consistency, simplifies assembly, and reduces the need for costly rework or manual correction.

    Whether used for laser cutting, stamping, or robotic welding, stretcher-leveled metal ensures stable performance, tight tolerances, and reduced scrap, making it a preferred solution for manufacturers seeking high-quality results.

  • What are the benefits of stretcher leveling?

    Answer:

    The benefits of stretcher leveling are numerous, especially for manufacturers who require consistent precision and quality. This process significantly improves sheet flatness by eliminating internal stresses and coil memory, which helps ensure that the material remains stable throughout downstream operations such as cutting, bending, forming, and welding. As a result, stretcher-leveled sheets experience fewer distortions, leading to reduced scrap rates and less need for costly rework. The improved flatness also enhances fit-up accuracy during assembly and welding, contributing to stronger structural integrity and faster production timelines. In addition, manufacturers benefit from increased yield, improved dimensional accuracy, and reduced machine wear when processing flatter material. Altogether, stretcher leveling delivers a more predictable and efficient fabrication process, helping businesses lower total production costs while maintaining high-quality output.

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Additional Services

Kloeckner is proud to provide a broad array of fabrication services to >60,000 customers worldwide. With investments in the latest technologies and equipment, we offer a wide array of services and can meet all of your metals manufacturing needs. See a small sample below.
Finishing
Kloeckner provides a wide variety of end...
Blanking
With new equipment and expanded blanking capabilities,...
Plate Rolling
Thanks to investments in new and innovative...

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