Abstract: In a curved or arc-type continuous casting installation provided with a curved or arc-type rigid dummy bar the curved dummy bar is separated from the cast strand at the region of the straightener by means of a movable roller. To improve the economy and to increase the decoupling reliability the dummy bar head is provided with a permanent coupling member which is disengageable from the cast strand by performing a pivoting movement. Furthermore, the dummy bar head is pivotably connected or linked to the dummy bar so as to be pivotable about an axis extending transversely with respect to the strand moving direction. For disengagement of the dummy bar head from the cast strand the movable roller presses upon the pivotable dummy bar head so that the same, during the casting operation, is pivoted outwardly out of its axial position away from the curved longitudinal axis of the curved dummy bar.

Abstract: For a multi-strand continuous casting installation there is proposed accomplishing the transverse conveying or transfer of the cut strand sections, not as was heretofore conventional practice by a single clearing or removal movement occurring over the entire width of the installation, rather by a number of successive partial conveying strokes or movements, wherein the strand section is displaced from its starting position either through the distance (s) or the distance (s'). Consequently, there is required for each strand section a number of shorter partial conveying strokes or displacement movements corresponding to the ordinal number of the strand from which it is derived, and thus, during cutting of shorter strand sections the clearing time can be better accommodated to the cycling of the cutting operation. The displacement paths, depending upon the technique employed, amount to either s=d.multidot.(N-1)/N or s'=d.multidot.N/(N+1), wherein N constitutes the number of strands and d their spacing.

Abstract: A long rigid starting or dummy bar, after passing through a withdrawal and straightening unit, is suspended by means of an automatically operating connection device in a holder arm pivotable about the center of the curved arc or arcuate-shaped path of travel of the secondary cooling zone. The holder arm removes the starting bar out of the withdrawal and straightening unit by virtue of its own pivotal movement which is accomplished by means of a fluid-operated cylinder unit, such as a hydraulic cylinder unit, and places such starting bar in a position where it does not disturb the cast strand region of the installation. The holder or holding arm is mounted and constructed such that it can be placed by means of a crane or other appropriate facility into an almost vertical position, so that the entire space above the withdrawal and straightening unit and the subsequent rolls are freely accessible from above.