Abstract: Equipment for the semi-continuous direct chill (DC) casting of sheet ingot or slabs of different dimensions, in particular for rolling purposes. The equipment includes a mold frame (2) with a pair of facing long side walls (3) and a pair of facing short end walls (4) where the walls define an upwardly open inlet for the supply of metal and a downwardly facing outlet. The outlet is provided with a starter block (6) on a movable support, which prior to each casting, closes the opening. The equipment includes a device for changing the mold dimensions where at least one end wall can be displaced to enable casting of different size ingots. The equipment further includes an arrangement for indirect and direct cooling of the metal during casting. The starter block is provided with short end walls (11) and long side walls (9). At least one short end wall is movable relative to the mold.

Abstract: In a system for sealing a dummy bar head in a mould of a continuous casting plant for casting large-format preliminary sections, a flat gasket (6) to seal the gap between the dummy bar head and the mould is provided, which is held on a packing plate (7) contained on the dummy bar head. Said packing plate has approximately the cross-sectional shape of the mould profile and covers the flat gasket (6). The packing plate (7) is displaceable towards the centre of the mould by an amount which is a function of the conicity of the mould (3). To this end, it consists of two plate halves (7a, 7b) lying in one plane with respect to each other. This makes it possible, when inserting the dummy bar head, to compensate for the angled course of the mould with the contracting packing plate until the sealing gap between packing plate and mould remains uniform on all sides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dummy bar (1) for a continuous casting installation for casting a metal strand, including a dummy bar head (2), a transition piece (3) and a link chain (4), wherein the transition piece (3) and/or the link chain (4) are made of a plurality of links (5, 6) that are connected to each other in an articulated manner, and wherein the links (5, 6) can be pivoted relative to each other about a transverse axis (Q) extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the dummy bar (1). In order to particularly prevent internal stresses in the dummy bar when replacing parts of the dummy bar, the invention provides for at least one articulated joint (7) to be configured between two links (5, 6) that are connected to each other in an articulated manner, such that said joint allows a relative pivoting movement of the links (5, 6) about the transverse axis (Q) that is greater than any pivot angle (?) occurring during the use of the dummy bar (1).

Abstract: A dummy bar for a continuous metal casting plant, particularly for a continuous casting plant for preliminary steel sections, includes a one-piece head piece having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mold cross-section and two rows of segments connected to the head piece. The two rows of segments extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the dummy bar and are spaced apart from each other by the width of the dummy bar. Flexible steel bands are mounted on each row of segments for connecting the segments.

Abstract: A method of initiating a continuous casting mold includes steps of positioning a plug inside a continuous casting mold, sealing the plug with respect to inner walls of the mold, positioning a prefabricated chill member on a top surface of the plug; and introducing molten metal into the mold. By prefabricating the chill member, valuable time is saved during the mold startup phase. The prefabricated chill member may have a compressible metallic sealing strip secured thereto to enhance sealing against the mold wall without abrading or scratching the mold wall. Another aspect of the invention involves sealing the gaps that exist between the mold surfaces and the mold plug by use of a an elongated body that defines in cross-section a broadened upper portion and a tapered lower portion that narrows into a leading edge. This construction permits the sealing element to be quickly inserted into a gap without being caught on the mold plug.

Abstract: A start-up billet head for a continuous casting machine for metal closes off an outlet of the casting die before start-up of the casting process. The start-up billet head has a coupling part facing an interior of the casting die and forms together with a billet cast in the casting die a positive-locking, hook-shaped connection. The connection can be decoupled after leaving the casting die by performing a tilting movement of the start-up billet head about a joint of the start-up billet. The coupling part has a recess with a first side active in a billet removal direction and a second side facing the first side. The first and second sides have oppositely oriented arc shapes. The coupling part has the shape of a preliminary billet profile with at least one undercut located in the area of at least one flange or angled joint of the preliminary billet profile.

Abstract: An improved cylindrical bottom block for casting of large ingots or billets, particularly cylindrical shaped ingots, of light metals, such as aluminum and aluminum alloys, the cylindrical bottom comprising: (a) a base section having an outer diameter; (b) a centrally located circular surface forming the upper end of the base section, the circular surface positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of casting, the circular surface forming the floor of the dish of the cylindrical bottom block which receives and cools liquid phase metal to form the butt end of an ingot, the circular surface being substantially flat and having a peripheral edge; (c) a cylindrical rim extending around the peripheral edge of the centrally located circular surface, the rim having an upper edge and an inner side wall which forms the side wall of the dish; (d) a concave transition section positioned between the peripheral edge and the lower end of the inner side wall, the concave transition section extending completely aro

Abstract: The apparatus has a starter bar of novel design which avoids the problems of deformation of the billet base, loss and waste of casting metal and loss of billet stability. The apparatus includes a tub-like having a peripheral wall and a central raised element or cone having tapered outer surfaces, to stabilize the base of the billet during casting and to dislodge the cooled billet as it shrinks.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an upper metal reservoir (10), a casting mold (2) having an inlet and an outlet, and a vertically moveable base (7) positioned at the outlet with a casting shoe or bottom block (5) which is designed to bear against the outlet at the start of a casting cycle. The casting shoe is mounted as a moveable shoe on the base (7) and is designed to be locked by the direct engagement with the base when it has been brought into a centered position in relation to the casting mold (2). Furthermore, centering devices (3, 4, 8) for the casting mold and the casting shoe are provided thereon for centering the casting shoe in relation to the casting mold.

Abstract: A mobile bottom closure/support includes a metal disc-shaped body, having at its top a suitable diameter for allowing the body to be translated inside a crystallizer-collar and having, at its bottom, a larger diameter. The disc-shaped body includes a pair of disc-shaped plates made from metal materials with different values of heat conductivity and concentrically superimposed to each other. The upper disc-shaped plate has at least a portion of its external cylindrical surface with such a diameter as to enable the plate to be translated inside the crystallizer-collar. The lower disc-shaped plate has a greater diameter, suitable for enabling the disc-shaped body to remain guided, coaxially with the collar, between vertical trueing elements angularly spaced apart from one another and integral with the collar.

Abstract: A curved-mold continuous casting apparatus has a reciprocable mold with a curved casting passage and an arm which guides the mold for reciprocation. A secondary cooling unit is located downstream of the mold and is followed by a withdrawal-and-straightening unit. The apparatus further has a rigid, curved dummy bar, a piston-and-cylinder unit for moving the dummy bar between a storage position and a casting position, and a lever which is articulated to the dummy bar and guides the same. A support consisting of a bedplate with an upright stand holds the mold, guide arm, secondary cooling unit, withdrawal-and-straightening unit, dummy bar, piston-and-cylinder unit and lever in assembled condition and in alignment for casting. The support and the components carried thereby form a preassembled, transportable module which can be brought to a casting location or removed from such location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for connecting a new cast strip to a previously cast strip after a change in batch in a continuous casting plant necessitating temporarily closing a casting die outlet including opening the casting die outlet, casting a strip of metal from the die outlet to produce a cast metal strip, attaching a connecting means to a trailing end of the previously cast strip and thereafter connecting a forward end of the new cast strip to the connecting means for concurrent movement of both cast strips. The connecting means includes a hollow connecting cuff open at lower and upper ends, and the trailing end of the previously cast strip is pressed into the lower end of the cuff, and said forward end of the new cast strip is cast into the upper end of the cuff to connect said two cast strips.

Abstract: The dummy bar includes a flexible sheet having several rows of contact elements fastened along a portion of its length to both sides of the sheet. Free projections of contact elements of different rows overlap one another in a lengthwise direction to the dummy bar. In order to create a simple, operationally safe, low maintenance dummy bar the flexible sheet includes recesses corresponding to the projection of the free projections of the contact elements.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for casting semi-finished metal products in which a molten-metal-proof plunger is disposed at the top of a cavity in a permanent mold. A thin band of metal is attached to the plunger and extends above its top. Inside the metal band on top of the plunger is insulation and on top of that is a barrier to the molten metal. A reservoir of molten metal is created and maintained in a pouring cup over the plunger, and the plunger is caused to descend in the cavity at a controlled rate so that the molten metal enters and fills the cavity above the plunger. Promptly after the plunger reaches the bottom of its stroke, it is reversed to lift the casting and pouring cup at least slightly out of the mold. The shim band, barrier, and insulation are expendable, but the plunger is used again.

Abstract: Parking device for dummy bars which can be employed in continuous casting machines with a roller-type casting line stretching between the ingot mold and a substantially horizontal outlet, and an extraction and straightening group located at the outlet, in which the device comprises; a swinging parking structure to park the dummy bar, the structure being pivoted at one end upstream from the extraction and straightening group and being able to rotate around a pivot between a raised position of rest and a lowered working position, a jack able to move the free end of the parking structure between the position of rest and the working position and a further jack anchored to the parking structure and acting to pull the dummy bar to the ingot mold.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus comprising a tubular die, a cooler associated with the tubular die, and opposed pairs of drawing rolls associated with the outlet of the die for drawing the cast product from the die. One set of rolls is mounted for rotation about stationary axes and the other set of rolls is mounted for rotation about axes movable radially with respect to the cast product. A starting bar includes a starter tip dimensioned to fit within the die. The starter tip and starter bar are interconnected for adjustment radially relative to one another such that when the starting tip is inserted into the tubular die upon start up of the casting apparatus, the movable drawing rolls can be successively moved radially inwardly or outwardly with respect to the center line of the cast product to maintain the center line of the cast product aligned with the center line between the opposed sets of rolls.

Abstract: There is disclosed a continuous casting machine for selectively casting a strand having slab cross section or at least two strands having smaller cross sections. It includes a plate mold surrounded by a support frame supporting the end walls and side walls, and further intermediate end walls provided between the end walls for casting at least two strands. In order to provide end walls that are insertable into the mold and positively connectable thereto with parts that project into the mold used for slab cross sectional formats being avoided, a hollow body carrying copper plates of the intermediate end walls is inserted between the copper plates of the side walls. A coolant flows through the hollow body, which is supported with its upper end on the side walls by supporting elements overlapping the side walls, and with its lower end is fixed by coolant supply and discharge piping.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved bottom block for vertical DC and EM casting large ingots and billets, particularly ingots having generally rectangularly shaped cross sections which are rolled into sheet and plate. The improved bottom block stably supports the ingot or billet in its downward descent during casting so that the ingot or billet does not move on the bottom block by leaning off center or rocking back and forth. In accordance with the invention, a plurality of drain holes in the bottom block, which are adapted to remove coolant which collects on the top surface of the bottom block, are provided with fan shaped recesses which form appendages on the butt of the ingot or billet. These ingot or billet appendages ride up the lower inclined surfaces of the recesses when the ingot or billet butt shrinks and curls, thereby stabilizing the ingot or billet.

Abstract: A pair of measuring elements are installed on guide means traveling between facing rolls of a continuous casting machine, the outer end faces of said measuring elements are each formed into a circular are whose diameter is the preset value for a gap between the facing rolls. Upon entering between the facing rolls, the measuring elements are brought into contact with the rolls due to a biasing force rendered thereto, whereby the displacements of the measuring elements are measured by a transducer, thereby enabling to measure the gap between the facing rolls. In particular, since the outer end faces of the measuring elements are each formed into a circular are, the necessary gap between the facing rolls can be accurately detected.

Abstract: A dummy bar successfully adapted to horizontal type machines for continuous casting of metals comprising a head with a central orifice for installing a mandrel and a bar connected to the head by a connecting assembly. The central orifice of the head has a cylindrical and a conical section. The cylindrical section of the central orifice of the head accomodates a wedging bushing with a nut. The connecting assembly is provided with a cam sleeve, each half thereof having one degree of freedom, one in the axial and the other in the tangential directions.

Abstract: A device for handling semi-continuously vertically cast rectangular strands, especially of aluminum and aluminum alloys. The strands are simultaneously adjacent to each other lowered by means of a downwardly movable casting table, brought into engagement with a supporting member, and by a pivoting movement of the dummy bars and of the supporting member which are operatively connected to the casting table are moved into an at least nearly horizontal positon with regard to the casting table. The above mentioned pivoting movement is coupled to the upward movement of the casting table. The strands are cast in such a way that one of their narrow sides is located opposite the supporting member. During the upward movement of the casting table, the supporting member with the strands one narrow side of which engages the supporting member are pivoted about a pivot axis which is eccentrically located with regard to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the casting table.

Abstract: In a continuous casting plant the space between the walls of a cooled continuous casting mould and the head of a starter bar is sealed. The seal is achieved by means of an elastic member inserted in an annular peripheral recess of the starter bar head. The elastic member closes the recess, extends completely around the starter bar head in the groove and may have a cylindrical or plane shape.

Abstract: The machine for semicontinuous casting of metals comprises a rack-and-gear drive for withdrawal an ingot and for moving a carriage fitted with a dummy bar along a vertical column. The racks of said drive are fixed on said carriage and the gear wheels with a pitch approximating the length of said racks are disposed along said column. The initial weight of said carriage fitted with the dummy bar exceeds slightly the initial force required for withdrawal of the ingot from the mold. To maintain constant operating conditions for the driving electric motor of the ingot withdrawal gear, provision is made for a ferromagnetic powder brake whose exciting winding is coupled with an ingot length sensor and whose control winding is coupled with an ingot withdrawal force sensor.