Abstract: An apparatus for making metal powders has a supply tank (2) for the molten starting material, at least one exchangeable pouring funnel (11, 13), at least one atomizing nozzle (12, 14) and at least one fall shaft (7) disposed thereunder for the solidification of the metal powder product. A chamber (1) enveloping the supply tank and the pouring funnel is disposed on the fall shaft (7). To be able more easily to change the pouring funnel or funnels, the chamber (1) has in the area of the pouring funnel a closable lateral opening (15), at which a lock chamber (16) for the introduction of the at least one pouring funnel (11, 13) is placed. A car (24) is held on tracks (18, 19) and can be driven into the chamber (1) and fully retracted into the lock chamber (16), and on its bottom is fastened a number of atomizing nozzles (12, 14) corresponding to the number of the pouring funnels (11, 13). The pouring funnels (11, 13) can be set downwardly onto the cars.

Abstract: An electroslag remelting plant includes an ingot mold 4 for forming a block from remolten material, at least one consumable electrode 26, a body having at least one vertically driven electrode rod 20 for the advance of the consumable electrode and a hood 33 disposed above the ingot mold which has at least one concentric opening toward the respective electrode axis. In order to limit the volume over the slag the following is provided: The hood 33 is, with respect to its vertical axis "A", subdivided into laterally movable sectors 34, 35 each of which is, at a first sealing joint 41, gas-tight connected with its lower edge 40 to top of the ingot mold 4 as far as possible and with its upper edge 39, at a second sealing joint 42, gas-tight sealed as far as possible with respect to the electrode rod. Further, the hood 33 has an interior of such cross section and height that, in its most elevated position, the top end of the at least one consumable electrode 26 is below the second sealing joint 42 of the hood 33.