The tension leveling apparatus consists of two components: a work roll with a small diameter and two support rolls with large diameters. The support roll is rotatably mounted to a support frame and has its axis fixed in a certain position. The work roll is movable relative to the support roll's axial axis. The two work roll units are nearly identical in construction and operation.

A tension leveling apparatus consists of lower and upper work roll units. The lower work roll unit comprises two bearing support plates for a cylindrical work roll and two backup rolls. The support rolls are rotatably mounted to the support frame. They are separated by spacer plates. The upper work roll unit 16 has a substantially similar construction to the work roll unit 14. It is used for leveling material at a wide variety of applications.