Abstract: A horizontal multiple-strand continuous casting plant and a method of operating the plant. The casting plant includes a distributor with several molds and a corresponding strand drawing unit which conveys the individual strands out of the molds by means of pulling movements and return pushing movements, wherein the strands can be individually clamped within the strand drawing unit. The strand drawing unit includes two clamping devices which alternatingly carry out the pulling movements and the return pushing movements. In the event of an interruption in one of the molds, the method includes connecting in a frictionally engaging manner the strand located in the affected mold to one of the two clamping devices of the strand drawing unit by actuating the corresponding clamping device only during at least one return pushing movement, and disconnecting from this strand the second clamping unit during the pulling movement thereof.

Abstract: A flame cutting rollerbed which is specifically intended for use in metal strand casting plants serves to cut metal strands longitudinally and/or transversely. A flame cutting rollerbed of this type comprises uniformly spaced support rollers which are arranged across the longitudinal motion direction of the cast strands. The support rollers are each equipped with spaced disk rollers on the edges of which the metal strands contact and are supported.In order to protect the stationary support rollers from being damaged by the flame cutting jet, it is proposed that sections between adjacent disk rollers be coated with a porous protective coating which is resistant to the heat flow of the flame cutter jet. The protective coating is either metal-porous or ceramic-porous. Furthermore, the coating may be cooled by a cooling fluid, in which case the porous protective coating forms storage spaces for the cooling fluid. Nozzles for the cooling fluid are arranged opposite the disk rollers and/or the support rollers.