Abstract: Drive device for a stopper closure on a metallurgical vessel, including a housing arranged on the vessel in a removable manner, an adjustment system mounted in the housing so as to be height-displaceable and has a drive which can be coupled to the housing, and an upper connection element for a support arm carrying the fire-proof stopper. The adjustment system for the stopper is mounted so as to be height-displaceable on at least one bearing shaft fastened in the housing. This design of the adjustment system permits an increase in the stiffness of the drive device and hence of the fire-proof stopper suspended by the drive device on the support arm during pouring.

Abstract: Drive device for a stopper closure on a metallurgical vessel, including a housing arranged on the vessel in a removable manner, an adjustment system mounted in the housing so as to be height-displaceable and has a drive which can be coupled to the housing, and an upper connection element for a support arm carrying the fire-proof stopper. The adjustment system for the stopper is mounted so as to be height-displaceable on at least one bearing shaft fastened in the housing. This design of the adjustment system permits an increase in the stiffness of the drive device and hence of the fire-proof stopper suspended by the drive device on the support arm during pouring.

Abstract: Holding device for inductive heating of billets of metal alloys having thixotropic properties, and for holding and transporting the billets until casting. The holding device is a dish and the dish exhibits a body in the shape of a tub and a wall at each end, at least the body being out of a high melting point metal, for example steel.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing shaped parts out of thixotropic metal billets in horizontal pressure diecasting machines such that inclusions of oxide skin surrounding the thixotropic metal billet are avoided in the alloy structure of the shaped part. Before introducing the thixotropic metal alloy into the space inside the mould, the oxide skin surrounding the metal billet is removed completely and collected in a container such that removal of oxide-free, homogeneous thixotropic metal alloy is minimized by taking into account the thermal and mechanical properties of the thixotropic billet, which are asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the metal billet. The removal of the oxide skin takes place in a horizontal diecasting machine which contains an oxide remover between the casting chamber and the mold. The oxide remover is represented by a ring-shaped body with a horizontal concentric middle axis and a throughput opening.