Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an event detection system that captures data associated with events while a DC casting system forms an ingot, determines characteristics of the events, and improves the casting system based on the events. Example systems and methods may include initiating a casting operation using one or more pieces of equipment of a casting system including a casting apparatus; capturing sensor data associated with one or more acoustic signals captured relative to the one or more pieces of equipment performing the casting operation; comparing the sensor data with a set of acoustic profiles; determining whether a particular type of event has occurred; causing an adjustment to the casting system or to the casting operation based on whether the particular type of event has occurred; and initiating a second casting operation using the adjusted casting system or casting operation.

Abstract: A device includes: an input device configured to receive an input of measurement results of a temperature and components of molten steel in a tundish of continuous casting facilities, measurement results of a width, a thickness, and a casting speed of a cast slab casted in the continuous casting facilities, and molten steel flow rate distribution in a mold; a model database configured to store a model expression and a parameter related to solidification reaction of molten steel in the mold; a convertor configured to convert a molten steel flow rate in the mold into a heat conductivity parameter; and a calculator configured to estimate a solidified shell thickness in the mold based on temperature distribution of the mold and steel in the mold calculated by solving a three-dimensional transient heat conduction equation using the measurement results.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a computer readable-medium for monitoring a continuous steel casting process where molten steel is poured from a ladle into a tundish to be transferred through an exit nozzle into a mold. The method includes obtaining a critical superheat temperature value for the molten steel; measuring temperature values of the molten steel over a time period; determining superheat temperature values corresponding to the measured temperature values by comparing the measured temperature values with a liquidus temperature of the molten steel; and predicting a forecast time instance when the critical superheat temperature value is reached.

Abstract: A method for determining a filling level of a storage container is disclosed. The method comprises generating a magnetic exciter field. The magnetic exciter field is configured to excite a content of the storage container to form a magnetic response field. The method further comprises determining at least one measurement value for the magnetic response field. The method further comprises determining the filling level of the storage container based on a position of the storage container and comparing the at least one measurement value with reference measurement values. One filling level of the storage container is assigned to each of the reference measurement values.

Abstract: Arnold (13) includes a recessed portion (21) for receiving a melt (2). The recessed portion (21) is constituted by an inner wall surface (29) for converting the melt (2) into a solidified portion when the inner wall surface (29) contacts the melt (2), and opens in a withdrawal direction (D1) of the solidified portion. A curved line formed by a first contour (23p) and a second contour (25p) has a cusp at a position of start points (43 and 45). The distance between the first contour (23p) and the second contour (25p) in a width direction (D2) increases continuously from an upstream side to a downstream side of the withdrawal direction (D1). The shape of the inner wall surface (29) of the recessed portion (21) is determined so that a cast rod (3) can be rotationally displaced clockwise or counterclockwise about an axis passing through a first end point (33) or a second end point (35) and perpendicular to a section of the mold 13.

Abstract: Steam exhaust ports are located around a perimeter of a direct chill casting pit, at various locations from below the top of the pit to the pit bottom to rapidly remove steam from the casting pit with addition of dry excess air. Gas introduction ports are also located around a perimeter of the casting pit and configured to introduce an inert gas into the casting pit interior.

Abstract: A method of casting a thin strip is disclosed. The method includes assembling a pair of side dams adjacent end portions of counter-rotating casting rolls through which a strip of metal can be cast to permit a casting pool of molten metal to be formed supported by the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls delivering molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip and confined by the pair of side dams, assembling a mechanical screw drive to move axially the side dams toward the casting pool, counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip, and moving the side dams axially inward toward the casting pool at a rate of between 0.4 and 5.0 mm/hour by actuation of the mechanical screw.

Abstract: The inflow of liquid metal into a continuous casting mold is set by a closure device. A measured actual meniscus value is fed to a controller determining a closure device target position on the basis of the actual and a corresponding target value. The measured actual value is fed to a disturbance variable compensator. The target position/corrected target position or a corresponding actual value are further fed to the disturbance variable compensator which determines the disturbance variable compensation value. The disturbance variable compensator has a model of the continuous casting mold for determining an expected value. A number of oscillating compensators determine a frequency disturbance proportion. The sum of the frequency disturbance proportions corresponds to the disturbance variable compensation value. The disturbance variable compensator has a jump determiner, by which it determines the jump compensation value by integrating the difference.

Abstract: Maintaining the shell surface temperature profile under transient conditions by spray water cooling in continuous casting of steel is often desired to reduce occurrence of surface cracks. For this purpose, a real-time spray-cooling control system is provided that includes one or more of: a virtual sensor for accurate estimation/prediction of shell surface temperature, control algorithm and data checking subroutines for robust temperature control, server and client programs for communicating between these software components and the caster, and a real-time monitor to display the predicted shell surface temperature profiles, water flow rates, and operating data, among other things.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a simulated casting of a light weight alloy component. The simulation includes passing component design data through various computational modules relating to casting designs, process modeling and optimization, material microstructure and defects and product performance. Variations in microstructure and defects across various very small size scales are extended to increasingly larger scales to permit structural performance calculations of the cast component to take such non-uniformities into consideration. At least some of the modules employ an expert system-based approach to achieve the optimized results. The results can be compared to end user needs to determine if redesign of the part geometry or manufacturing process is needed.

Abstract: A method to cover the exposures of a bath of molten steel by elements of casting powder in an ingot mold of a plant for the continuous casting of steel, including a step of subdividing the ingot mold into a desired number of zones, with each of which a covering movement is associated, the zones being determined and identified in a manner coordinated with the position of the snorkel and of the edge of the ingot mold, and a step of automated execution of one or more covering movements by elements of which the casting powder is distributed in a selected one of the zones, which movements, repeated in sequence according to a desired program, are selected from a group including pouring movements and throwing movements, at least on the basis of the reciprocal position of each of the zones and the snorkel.

Abstract: A method for the detection and classification of surface defects on continuously cast products using topographical information about the appearance of continuously cast surface defects and/or flaws are determined with respect to their exact position, evaluated with respect to their location and dimensions, and eliminated in accordance with the evaluation prior to further machining of the product, or are prevented by optimizing the process. The defects and/or flaws on the slab surface of the continuously cast preliminary product are detected and are stored with respect to their exact position and a detection of defects and/or flaws on the finished product is carried out and stored with respect to their exact position, and in that the information from the preliminary product is then compared with the information from the surface inspection on the finished product.

Abstract: A casting furnace for manufacturing a metal casting comprises an interior chamber and a secondary chamber through which the metal casting passes from the interior chamber into external atmosphere. A seal along the secondary chamber surrounds and seals against the metal casting to separate the interior chamber from the external atmosphere in a manner which allows for an extended period of continuous casting. A force producing mechanism may force the seal against the metal casting. Multiple seals may be used sequentially to increase the duration of the sealing capability and the continuous casting process. Inert gas sensors may detect loss of inert gas from the interior chamber.

Abstract: A rolling mill for producing rolled rolling stock is operated in a continuous manner by integrally forming the rolling stock during scheduled operation from a supply device which supplies the stock to the rolling mill to one finishing rolling train arranged downstream of the rolling stock supply device by guiding the stock into the finishing rolling train continuously and rolling it to form a first outflow product. The operation is monitored for a deviation from the scheduled operation that influences the rolling process, wherein in case of a deviation measures are taken to examine whether a second outflow product, which is different from the first outflow product, can still be produced. If the second outflow product cannot be produced, the operation of the rolling mill is altered from a continuous operation to a discontinuous operation, whereby production failures caused by undesired process deviations in a rolling mill can be reduced.

Abstract: Described herein is a twin roll caster including a pair of casting rolls arranged parallel to one another with a gap between the casting rolls and side dams parallel to one another forming a pool between the casting rolls and side dams. A side dam support is provided that applies a compression force on at least one of the side dams at a compression angle relative to the axis of the casting rolls.

Abstract: Systems for predicting casting defects and microstructure in suppliers/vendors' castings for part/system durability analysis without knowing the details of the casting layout and casting gating and riser design as well as casting process parameters are provided. The systems involve the use of an integrated pore growth and interdendritic flow model. Methods of predicting casting defects and microstructures of a part without knowing the details of the casting layout and casting gating and riser design as well as casting process parameters and articles of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: A continuous casting installation (20) including a strand guide having strand casting segments with rollers (2) for guiding a cast strand, wherein at least one of the strand casting segments (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) is formed as a measurement segment, wherein there is provided at least one measurement point for direct or indirect determination of a force acting on one or several rollers (2), wherein further the at least one measurement point is provided on a support housing (30), preferably between the support and the segment frame of strand casting segment, and there is provided a data processing unit that based on data of the at least one measurement point determines the solidification states of the cast strand.

Abstract: A method to cover the exposures of a bath of molten steel by elements of casting powder in an ingot mold of a plant for the continuous casting of steel, including a step of subdividing the ingot mold into a desired number of zones, with each of which a covering movement is associated, the zones being determined and identified in a manner coordinated with the position of the snorkel and of the edge of the ingot mold, and a step of automated execution of one or more covering movements by elements of which the casting powder is distributed in a selected one of the zones, which movements, repeated in sequence according to a desired program, are selected from a group including pouring movements and throwing movements, at least on the basis of the reciprocal position of each of the zones and the snorkel.

Abstract: Described herein is a twin roll caster including a pair of casting rolls arranged parallel to one another with a gap between the casting rolls and side dams parallel to one another forming a pool between the casting rolls and side dams. A side dam support is provided that applies a compression force on at least one of the side dams at a compression angle relative to the axis of the casting rolls.

Abstract: The present invention is a banjo tone ring with vertical sides (30) as opposed to the angled design of conventional banjo tone rings (120). The ring (30) of the present invention has specific height (h) to width (w) or thickness ratios and is within specific weight ranges for improved performance It vibrates much freer and thus raises the quality of musical tones from the banjo (10) to much higher aesthetic levels. Other embodiments also modify the musical tones for different sounds. Several novel embodiments of manufacturing methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting surface quality of a thin slab hot rolled coil. The method includes calculating the Cu equivalent (Cu eq.) of molten steel, applying the calculated Cu equivalent of the molten steel into an equation: 120×(Cu equivalent)2?6×(Cu equivalent) to calculate a surface crack index, and predicting the generation of surface defect of the thin slab hot rolled coil by the surface crack index. A method of producing the thin slab hot rolled coil using the same is also provided. The surface crack defect of the thin slab hot rolled coil can be predicted by calculating the Cu equivalent of the molten steel, and thus a thin slab which meets the quality standard demanded by a consumer can be provided, and this results in increased productivity and product reliability.

Abstract: Process producing ultra low carbon steel strip or sheet including producing a vacuum-degassed steel melt in a steelmaking step including a ladle treatment containing, by weight, at most 0.008% carbon; at most 0.008% nitrogen; at most 0.20% phosphorus; at most 0.020% sulphur; balance iron and inevitable impurities. Melt target oxygen content at end of ladle treatment of the melt is obtained by measuring the melt actual oxygen content followed by adding a suitable amount of aluminium in a suitable form to the melt to bind oxygen. Melt target oxygen content at the end of the ladle treatment is at most 80 ppm. Casting steel thus produced in a continuous casting process to form slab or strip. The process provides slab, strip or sheet of ultra low carbon steel containing at most 0.002% of acid soluble aluminium and at most 0.003% silicon and total oxygen content at most 100 ppm.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method of measuring the separation of moving confronting casting surfaces within a casting cavity of a casting apparatus. The method involves attaching at least one separation sensing device to a first one of a pair of confronting casting surfaces outside the casting cavity and then moving the casting surfaces to advance the sensing device(s) through the casting cavity while operating the device(s) to generate signals. The signals are monitored continuously or at regular intervals and converted to distance measurements representing separation of the surfaces at a plurality of positions through the casting cavity. Other exemplary embodiments provide apparatus for carrying out the method, and methods of measuring irregularities of casting belts or the like.

Abstract: A method of controlling composition of a molten copper or a molten copper alloy during continuous cast, comprising the steps of determining continuously specific resistance of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy; calculating the composition of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy based on relationships between specific resistance of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy and each constituent which are preliminarily comprehended; and controlling the composition of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy based on the calculated composition. It is possible to consider temperature or content of dissolved oxygen to calculate the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously casting thin strip includes a caster having a pair of casting rolls having a nip there between capable of delivering cast strip downwardly from the nip and an first enclosure capable of forming a protective atmosphere into which the strip can be formed in loop to extend over a plurality of rollers into pinch rolls with the strip having a strain of less than 0.4%, which may be provided by a plurality of rollers at entry of the strip into the pinch rolls to carry the strip into the pinch rolls, with at least a first entry roller having a diameter between 200 and 650 millimeters and being below a majority of other rollers.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a casting/rolling plant for producing hot-rolled metallic, particularly steel, strips (7) having great surface quality from slabs or flat thin bars (2, 2a) that are cast in a continuous casting process, descaling being performed based on a rotary descaling process. In order to take into account parameters which are not considered in prior art in addition to rotary descaling, the hydraulically oscillated permanent mold (9) travels along several different oscillation curves (16, 17, 18) while the oscillation marks are deep-cleaned by adjusting the oscillation pattern that is determined to be optimal for each casting material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aluminum alloy including aluminum as a basic component, silicon, copper, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, nickel and the like in a predetermined composition ratio, and a method of manufacturing of a vehicle cylinder liner having excellent wear resistance and heat resistance using the aluminum alloy. The method of manufacturing a vehicle cylinder liner includes the steps of: adding 50˜500 ppm of phosphorus (P) to the aluminum alloy while maintaining a temperature of the aluminum alloy at 700˜800° C. in a holding furnace, stabilizing the molten aluminum alloy including the phosphorus (P) for 30˜60 minutes to reform the molten aluminum alloy, and then continuous-casting the reformed molten aluminum alloy to form a round bar; hot-forging the round bar to forming a cylindrical liner; and machining an internal surface of the cylinder liner, with which a reciprocating piston comes into contact, to allow silicon particles to protrude.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for measuring the temperature field on the surface of casting billet/slab, including: a thermal imager, an infrared radiation thermometer, a mechanical scanning unit, an image and data processing system; the thermal imager, the infrared radiation thermometer and the mechanical scanning unit are respectively connected to the image and data processing system; the infrared radiation thermometer is installed on the mechanical scanning unit and can measure the temperature of casting billet/slab surface by scanning; the thermal imager can measure the temperature of a certain area on the surface of casting billet/slab by thermal imaging.

Abstract: In a method for guiding a cast material out of a casting chamber of a casting system, the cast material is discharged from a casting chamber by means of a succession of guiding rollers and rolling rollers. A rolling roller exerts a rolling force on the cast material to reduce the thickness of the cast material, whereas a guiding roller, which simply guides, exerts no rolling force on the cast material. At least the rolling rollers are driven by a drive, each drive applied under load. Because the rolling force of at least one rolling roller is detected, and the load of the drive of this rolling roller is controlled according to the detected rolling force, a method can be provided by which the stability of the casting speed is increased, and a significant reduction of the thickness of a cast material is achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously casting thin strip includes a caster having a pair of casting rolls having a nip there between capable of delivering cast strip downwardly from the nip and an first enclosure capable of forming a protective atmosphere into which the strip can be formed in loop to extend over a plurality of rollers into pinch rolls with the strip having a strain of less than 0.4%, which may be provided by a plurality of rollers at entry of the strip into the pinch rolls to carry the strip into the pinch rolls, with at least a first entry roller having a diameter between 200 and 650 millimeters and being below a majority of other rollers.

Abstract: A method for detecting a crater end of a continuously cast product, including installing an ultrasonic shear wave sensor for transmitting an ultrasonic shear wave to the continuously cast product and receiving the transmitted ultrasonic shear wave in a continuous casting machine, detecting based on variations of an ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic shear wave sensor that the crater end of the cast product is matched with the installed position of the ultrasonic shear wave sensor, calibrating a physical property value used in a calculation based on a heat condition equation such that the crater end computed based on the heat condition equation using casting conditions at that time is matched with the installed position of the ultrasonic shear wave sensor, and after the calibration, determining the crater end by the calculation based on the heat condition equation under respective casting conditions by using the calibrated physical property value.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method of measuring the separation of moving confronting casting surfaces within a casting cavity of a casting apparatus. The method involves attaching at least one separation sensing device to a first one of a pair of confronting casting surfaces outside the casting cavity and then moving the casting surfaces to advance the sensing device(s) through the casting cavity while operating the device(s) to generate signals. The signals are monitored continuously or at regular intervals and converted to distance measurements representing separation of the surfaces at a plurality of positions through the casting cavity. Other exemplary embodiments provide apparatus for carrying out the method, and methods of measuring irregularities of casting belts or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous casting installation (20) including a strand guide having strand casting segments with rollers (2) for guiding a cast strand, wherein at least one of the strand casting segments (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27) is formed as a measurement segment, wherein there is provided at least one measurement point for direct or indirect determination of a force acting on one or several rollers (2), wherein further the at least one measurement point is provided on a support housing (30), preferably between the support and the segment frame of strand casting segment, and there is provided a data processing unit that based on data of the at least one measurement point determines the solidification states of the cast strand.

Abstract: A method of controlling composition of a molten copper or a molten copper alloy during continuous cast, comprising the steps of determining continuously specific resistance of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy; calculating the composition of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy based on relationships between specific resistance of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy and each constituent which are preliminarily comprehended; and controlling the composition of the molten copper or the molten copper alloy based on the calculated composition. It is possible to consider temperature or content of dissolved oxygen to calculate the composition.

Abstract: A measuring system for measuring the strand condition of a continuous casting machine, the system comprising a plate member mounted on a caster chain (10) in use, the plate member (12) having an edge (14) that protrudes outwardly from one surface (13) of the caster chain (10); a pivotally mounted arm (16) capable of protruding outwardly from the opposing surface (17) of the caster chain (10); and means to determine the distance between the tip (18) of the arm (16) and the plate edge (14) at any given interval during use.

Abstract: A continuous casting plant in particular for long steel products is provided with a mould (1), from which a cast strand (2) is continuously cast. The cast strand (2) is guided along a, in particular curved, guideway formed by guide rollers (11, 12, 13, 14) arranged one after the other, and at the same time in a cooling chamber having spray members. The guide rollers (12, 13, 14) and/or the spray members are contained in a plurality of centring modules (10) or spray modules (3) arranged one after the other and are adjustable in a controlled manner substantially concentrically with respect to the desired axis of the cast strand. As a result, on the one hand, the risk of thermally overloading the rollers and damaging the strand surface is considerably reduced and symmetrical cooling is ensured.

Abstract: A method for detecting a crater end of a continuously cast product, including installing an ultrasonic shear wave sensor for transmitting an ultrasonic shear wave to the continuously cast product and receiving the transmitted ultrasonic shear wave in a continuous casting machine, detecting based on variations of an ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic shear wave sensor that the crater end of the cast product is matched with the installed position of the ultrasonic shear wave sensor, calibrating a physical property value used in a calculation based on a heat condition equation such that the crater end computed based on the heat condition equation using casting conditions at that time is matched with the installed position of the ultrasonic shear wave sensor, and after the calibration, determining the crater end by the calculation based on the heat condition equation under respective casting conditions by using the calibrated physical property value.

Abstract: A method for detecting a crater end of a continuously cast product including installing an ultrasonic shear wave sensor for transmitting an ultrasonic shear wave to a cast product and receiving the transmitted ultrasonic longitudinal wave and an ultrasonic longitudinal wave sensor for transmitting an ultrasonic longitudinal wave to the cast product and receiving the transmitted ultrasonic longitudinal wave at the same position in a continuous casting machine or at positions apart from each other in a casting direction, but at the same position in a transverse direction of the cast product, detecting based on variations of an ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic shear wave sensor that the crater end of the cast product is matched with the installed position of the ultrasonic shear wave sensor, calibrating a calculation formula for determining the crater end and determining the crater end.

Abstract: A method for the detection and classification of surface defects on continuously cast products using topographical information about the appearance of continuously cast surface defects and/or flaws are determined with respect to their exact position, evaluated with respect to their location and dimensions, and eliminated in accordance with the evaluation prior to further machining of the product, or are prevented by optimizing the process. The defects and/or flaws on the slab surface of the continuously cast preliminary product are detected and are stored with respect to their exact position and a detection of defects and/or flaws on the finished product is carried out and stored with respect to their exact position, and in that the information from the preliminary product is then compared with the information from the surface inspection on the finished product.

Abstract: The invention provides a temperature measurement system including a temperature sensor and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of a thermal energy source in response to receiving thermal energy from the source. The invention also provides a continuous casting system including at least one temperature sensor disposed in the secondary cooling region and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of the strand of metal in response to receiving thermal energy from the strand of metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for predicting and controlling the castability of liquid steel. According to said method, the chemical composition of a melt to be cast is analyzed, an alloy calculation is carried out, alloy elements and/or additions are determined in order to obtain defined material characteristics of the steel, and operating diagrams are drawn up for further treatment of the melt. The interactions of the alloy and/or addition elements, which influence the castability, are taken into account during the alloy calculation as supplemental conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of precise positioning of a number of cooperating cylinder or roller elements (2, 3, 4) of a roller or casing installation (1) relative to each other.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a production line for manufacturing metal strips made of copper or copper alloys by means of casting and rolling. In order to lower the investment cost and operating expenses therefor, the melt (2) is cast into a copper strip (4) in a vertical and/or horizontal continuous strip casting process (3), and the hot copper strip (4) is cleaned by milling (5) the top and bottom face (5a, 5b) thereof, is subjected to a cold rolling process (6) and is prepared for shipping, or is subjected to an inspection (12) and then prepared for shipping after being annealed (7), pickled (8), washed (9), dried (10), and optionally temper rolled (11).

Abstract: A method for detecting roller irregularities during on-line continuous casting of a metal comprises; i) continuously monitoring the changes in the mould level over time; ii) identifying large periodic influences affecting the mould level versus time function and their frequency, iii) comparing the frequency of the periodic influences of step ii) with predicted frequency harmonics based on a normal operation of the casting process and highlighting by comparison of the predicted and actual frequencies characteristics indicative of irregularities in roller behavior.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low carbon steel sheet and a low carbon steel slab on which formation of surface defects can be surely prevented by preventing aggregation of inclusions in the molten steel and finely dispersing inclusions in the steel sheet or slab, and a process for producing the steel sheet and slab. The present invention provides a process comprising the steps of decarburizing a molten steel so as to produce a carbon concentration of up to 0.01% by mass, pre-deoxidizing the molten steel by adding Al thereto so as to produce a dissolved oxygen concentration from 0.01 to 0.04% by mass, adding thereto Ti and at least La and/or Ce, and casting the molten steel, and a steel sheet and a steel slab obtained by the process.

Abstract: A continuous caster is controlled by a method anticipating the liquidus temperature in the mold of the caster to prevent premature solidification. The temperature in the tundish is measured and based upon the tundish temperature and the resistance time of the molten metal in the tundish, an equivalent liquidus temperature window is defined and the speed of the continuous caster is controlled to maintain this window of operation of the tundish.

Abstract: A method for detecting a seized or still standing roller in a track of rollers in a continuous casting machine, in which each roller is rotatably mounted in supporting members and is arranged with its axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the track so that the rollers are arranged to transport elongated material produced in the machine. The method includes measuring a load exerted on at least one supporting member of each roller, with the load being substantially parallel with the extent of the track. The existence of a seized or still standing roller is established when the load deviates from a predetermined value by virtue of a force induced on the roller by seizure or stoppage of the roller at the contact with the transported material.

Abstract: A sacrificial plastic mold having an electroplatable backing is provided as are methods of making such a mold via the infusion of a castable liquid formulation through a porous metal substrate (sheet, screen, mesh or foam) and into the features of a micro-scale master mold. Upon casting and demolding, the porous metal substrate is embedded within the cast formulation and projects a plastic structure with features determined by the mold tool. The plastic structure provides a sacrificial plastic mold mechanically bonded to the porous metal substrate, which provides a conducting support suitable for electroplating either contiguous or non-contiguous metal replicates. After electroplating and lapping, the sacrificial plastic can be dissolved, leaving the desired metal structure bonded to the porous metal substrate. Optionally, the electroplated structures may be debonded from the porous substrate by selective dissolution of the porous substrate or a coating thereon.

Abstract: Process for detecting defects during continuous casting between rolls where, during casting, a signal depending on the rolls separating force (RSF) is measured, the signal being separated into various harmonic components, the result of the comparison of the harmonic components thus obtained with reference harmonics being representative of a defective status of the rolls, this defective status of the rolls enabling various rules to be defined for the execution of the process.

Abstract: A rapid analysis device for analyzing nonmetallic inclusions in steel by a cold crucible method is combined with a mathematical model, and the quality of cast steel is predicted online by simulating the behavior. of the nonmetallic inclusions by calculation. Further, continuous casting process variables are controlled to minimize the amount of nonmetallic inclusions in the cast steel.