Abstract: Metallic pieces of predetermined shape, e.g., anodes, are continuously manufactured from molten metal, e.g., impure molten copper, by continuously casting the molten metal in an inclined mold cavity (13) formed by two endless moving belts (14( and (15) and by two moving side dams (20) and (21) so as to produce a hot metallic strip (4), and by cutting the hot strip, when it has left the mold cavity, with at least one plasma torch (10) along a profile (27) such that anodes (11) with a low waste coefficient are obtained. In this way, flat copper anodes with a thickness of between 40 and 50 mm can be produced.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting a metallic body in a predetermined and repeating pattern. A plasma torch and the metallic body are moved relative to each other. The relative movement includes a cutting relative movement in accordance with the predetermined pattern and a return relative movement in accordance with a repeat of the predetermined pattern. The metallic body serves as an operating anode during the cutting relative movement while a holding anode is provided for use during the return relative movement. The plasma torch is positioned in plasma retaining relation with the holding anode during the return relative movement. In a preferred embodiment, the power to the plasma torch is reduced during the return relative movement.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for continuous casting in a twin-belt casting machine in which the moving side dams are guided along opposite sides of the moulding cavity by guide device extending along beside the respective moving side dams, and the moving side dams are cooled by cooling fluid circulated in at least a part of the guide device and applied directly to the moving side dams. The moving side dams are cooled by cooling fluid sprayed through orifices in the guide device directly onto the moving side dams along at least a part of the downstream zone of the moulding cavity. During movement of the side dams along the moulding cavity from its entrance to its exit, they pass successively through a first (or upstream) zone in which they face molten metal and through a second (or downstream) zone in which they face solidified metal. The cooling fluid is sprayed directly onto the moving side dams only in this second zone.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for casting a strip with laterally extending lugs by introducing molten metal at the inlet of a molding zone having a bottom and sidewalls, the bottom of the molding zone being formed by the upper surface of a moving endless belt and the sidewalls being formed by a first and second moving endless sidedam. The sidedams move with the belt from the inlet to the outlet of the molding zone and return from the outlet to the inlet. Each sidedam comprises an endless strap and a multiplicity of blocks strung thereon. Some of the blocks form lug molding pockets, the height of each pocket being lower than the height of the molding zone. A cast strip with laterally extending lugs is extracted at the outlet of the molding zone. The passage of lug molding pockets or blocks forming these pockets in each sidedam is detected.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for separating a suspension bar (14) from an electrode (11) that is vertically suspended by this bar and that comprises, besides this bar, an electrolytic plate (12) and one or several suspension loops (13) fastened to the plate, the suspension bar extending through these loops.The suspension bar (14) is first relieved of the weight of the plate (12) by bringing the electrode (11) in a horizontal position in which its plate (12) is caused to rest on a support (34 or 34').The position of the bar (14) is then changed with regard to the position of the plate (12) by moving the support (34 or 34') with the plate (12) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar (14) while retaining the latter.

Abstract: Metallic pieces of predetermined shape, e.g., anodes, are continuously manufactured from molten metal, e.g., impure molten copper, by continuously casting the molten metal in an inclined molding cavity (13) formed by two endless moving belts (14) and (15) and by two moving side dams (20) and (21) so as to produce a hot metallic strip (4), and by cutting the hot strip, when it has left the molding cavity, with at least one plasma torch (10) along a profile (27) such that anodes (11) with a low waste coefficient are obtained. In this way, flat copper anodes with a thickness of between 40 and 50 mm can be produced.

Abstract: An improved cutting apparatus of the type comprising an endless roller conveyor (4) for carrying a moving strip (1), a carriage (9) located above the strip (1) and adapted to move in the same direction as the strip (1) and in the opposite direction and a thermal cutting device (12) carried by the carriage (9) and adapted to move transversally to the moving strip (1). The conveyor (4) is adapted to revolve in such way that its upper run continuously moves in the direction (X) of the strip (1) and the distance between the successive rollers (3) of the conveyor (4) is such that cutting can be performed without the rollers (3) being damaged. The apparatus can be used for cutting a continuously cast strip of anode copper into anodes (FIG. 1).

Abstract: Improved casting method and side dam apparatus for use in twin-belt continuous metal casting machines are described particularly adapted for casting rectangular copper bar providing a casting speed almost double that obtained in prior twin-belt machines and a damblock lifetime which is more than doubled, while producing a more homogeneous and symmetrical casting structure. The side dams are formed by stringing slotted damblocks along the entire length of a flexible metal strap, except for end portions of the strap. An end-to-end weld forms an endless strap loop of accurately predetermined length, and special damblocks having two mating interlocking halves are inserted into the remaining space along the strap, whereby all blocks are free to slide on the strap but with little cumulative space between blocks, which are preferably made of a bronze alloy presenting better resistance to heat cracking and higher heat conductivity than in previous damblocks.

Abstract: A machine for the casting of metals having a moulding cavity formed by at least a moving casting belt and side dams, in which the said casting belt is made of mild killed steel containing between 0.2 and 0.8% by weight of titanium.

Abstract: Improved casting side dam apparatus for use in twin-belt continuous metal casting machines is described particularly adapted for casting rectangular copper bar providing a casting speed almost double that obtained in prior twin-belt machines and a damblock lifetime which is more than doubled, while producing a more homogeneous and symmetrical casting structure. The side dams are formed by stringing slotted damblocks along the entire length of a flexible metal strap, except for end portions of the strap. An end-to-end weld forms an endless strap loop of accurately predetermined length, and special damblocks having two mating interlocking halves are inserted into the remaining space along the strap, whereby all blocks are free to slide on the strap but with little cumulative space between blocks, which are preferably made of a bronze alloy presenting better resistance to heat cracking and higher heat conductivity than in previous damblocks.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of copper wire rod, in which liquid copper is cast in a continuous casting machine provided with an inclined straight moulding cavity to produce a continuous bar of copper, comprising guiding said bar as it leaves the casting device towards a horizontal rolling machine known "per se" along a curved path, the maximum curvature of the curved path being less than 0.25 m.sup.-.sup.1 thus preventing the formation of cracks in the hot bar, and converting the said bar into wire rod in the said rolling machine.

Abstract: In twin-belt casting machines for continuously casting molten metal improved belt back-up apparatus and coolant application means are provided. The front faces of the casting belts are held firmly against the moving edge dams by wide belt-supporting elements in the form of cylindrical collars on the back-up rollers or longitudinally extending fixed guide members engaging the reverse surfaces of the belts and positioned in alignment with the respective side dams and laterally spaced apart a distance no greater than the lateral spacing of the moving side dams. Nozzles are absent from the coolant supply means in the positions where the belt-supporting elements are engaging the reverse surfaces of the casting belts.