Abstract: A metal delivery system for a casting system includes a spout having a spout passageway extending through the spout with an elongated slot as a bottom orifice. A bottom control pin is positionable within the spout and is movable between a closed position and an open position. In certain aspects, in the closed position, the bottom control pin engages a portion of a surface of the passageway proximate to the bottom orifice.

Abstract: A pump system for a metal furnace includes a tank and a magnetic stirrer. The tank includes a tank chamber that is configured to receive a fluid, such as a molten material. The tank is positioned above magnetic stirrer and such that the magnetic stirrer is outside of the tank chamber. The magnetic stirrer includes a rotating permanent magnet configured to generate a moving magnetic field in the molten material in the tank chamber that induces movement in the molten material.

Abstract: Systems and methods may utilize magnetic rotors to heat molten metal in the corner regions of a mold during casting (e.g., casting of an ingot, billet, or slab). The magnetic rotors are positioned adjacent to the corners of the mold and heat the molten metal in the corner region to increase the temperature of the molten metal adjacent the corners. The increased temperature of the molten metal in the mold corners can prevent intermetallics from forming in the molten metal or otherwise reduce such formation.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods are provided for controlling the shape of an ingot head during formation. At the end of a cast, prior to forming the ingot head, chill bars or other cooling structure may be lowered into an ingot mold and define a reduced casting footprint for forming the ingot head. Supplemental molten metal may be fed into the reduced casting footprint, and the chill bars may be moved laterally towards the center of the ingot, further reducing the casting footprint. As additional molten metal fills the reduced mold footprint, the ingot may be lowered relative to the chill bars to further increase the height of the ingot head. Additional molten metal may be added until the desired shape of the ingot head is formed.