Abstract: A stopper rod positioning and control apparatus is provided for controlling the flow of a molten metal out of a bottom nozzle in a metal reservoir. The stopper rod can be aligned with the nozzle's opening by selectively rotating a pair of roller (ring) bearings that are centerline offset from each other along a first axis around which one end of an extended structural arm can pivot where the opposing end of the arm retains the stopper rod along a second axis parallel to the first axis. When the appropriate relative positions of the pair of roller bearings are located for a nozzle-centered stopper rod, the second axial position of the stopper rod is fixed by retaining the appropriate relative positions with a brake mechanism.

Abstract: A stopper rod positioning and control apparatus is provided for controlling the flow of a molten metal out of a bottom nozzle in a metal reservoir. The stopper rod can be aligned with the nozzle's opening by selectively rotating a pair of roller (ring) bearings that are centerline offset from each other along a first axis around which one end of an extended structural arm can pivot where the opposing end of the arm retains the stopper rod along a second axis parallel to the first axis. When the appropriate relative positions of the pair of roller bearings are located for a nozzle-centered stopper rod, the second axial position of the stopper rod is fixed by retaining the appropriate relative positions with a brake mechanism.