Abstract: A system for monitoring a continuous steel casting process wherein one or more strands of steel are cast from a mold, allowed to cool and then cut into blooms. A plurality of sensors monitor process parameters at different locations relative to a strand of steel as the strand exits the mold, cools and is cut. A storage device stores data representations of the parameters as they are monitored by the plurality of sensors. A data network communicates data from the plurality of sensors to the storage device. A logic processor coupled to the storage device prompts an operator as the operator sets up logic relations between parameters of the steel casting process that identify and categorize defects in steel. The logic processor includes a mathematical parser for evaluating the logic relations between parameters and converting the logic relations to processor instructions used to evaluate the data representations of the parameters for defects.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating the orientation of a metal bloom supported on a conveyor, the bloom being elongated and substantially square in cross section, comprising a conveyor, including rollers, disposed along a generally horizontal path, an upright abutment located adjacent the path, and a pivotable arm traversing the path having a free end with a first workpiece engaging surface located to intercept the path and receive and support a workpiece from the conveyor, the surface extending laterally from the path beyond the abutment and a second workpiece engaging surface laterally offset from the path beyond the abutment and extending above the first surface.