Abstract: A continuous casting assembly including a holding and heating furnace, a mould and cooler, and a strand withdrawal unit is secured to a pivotable frame. The assembly is intended for use in melting and casting small quantities of precious metals such that there is little or no loss or waste of the metal being cast. The furnace, which includes a heated crucible, is adjustably carried on the frame and the mould and cooler form a cover for the crucible. The mould and cooler are pivotably secured to the frame and can be moved to an open position to provide access to the crucible.

Abstract: A strand withdrawal assembly for use in clamping strands being withdrawn from a casting mould of a continuous casting plant is disclosed. At least two strands are withdrawn and are clamped between a lower, driven roll and a pair of upper rolls. The upper rolls are rotatably mounted on an eccentric shaft which is itself rotatably supported at either end and is capable of being raised or lowered by suitable hydraulic cylinders. The eccentric shaft accommodates minor variations in thickness of the clamped strands and allows for the application of equal pressure to the strands even though they are of unequal and varying thicknesses.

Abstract: A milling machine which mills the upper and lower surfaces of a plurality of strands that are drawn in a stepwise or intermittent fashion from a continuous casting machine. The milling machine is displaceable with respect to the continuous casting machine and moves in the strand feeding direction when the strands are drawn. The feeding speed of the milling machine is controlled by a pair of feed rolls in dependence on the displacement of the milling machine, which in turn depends on the drawing speed of the continuous casting machine, the length of draw, and on the milling rate. The casting machine produces a first controlling strand and non-controlling second and further strands. The speed and direction of the feed rolls regulates the motion of the milling machine under the control of the first controlling strand.