Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an event detection system that captures data associated with events while a DC casting system forms an ingot, determines characteristics of the events, and improves the casting system based on the events. Example systems and methods may include initiating a casting operation using one or more pieces of equipment of a casting system including a casting apparatus; capturing sensor data associated with one or more acoustic signals captured relative to the one or more pieces of equipment performing the casting operation; comparing the sensor data with a set of acoustic profiles; determining whether a particular type of event has occurred; causing an adjustment to the casting system or to the casting operation based on whether the particular type of event has occurred; and initiating a second casting operation using the adjusted casting system or casting operation.

Abstract: A monitoring system may monitor a gap between an ingot and a bottom block of a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more molds positioned in a casting environment and send the optical data to the computer system. The computer system may compare the optical data with a baseline profile. Based on the comparison between the optical data and the baseline profile, the computer system may determine if the ingot has separated from the bottom block and the height of the separation. The computer system may generate operating instructions based on the separation. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are gas control systems and associated methods of controlling gas in a mold in casting, such as aluminum casting. The system may have a first mass controller, a second mass controller, and a control device capable of switching the gas control system between a first operating state and a second operating state. The first mass controller and the second mass controller may have different flow rate ranges. In the first operating state, the gas control system may deactivate one of the first or second mass controllers, and in the second operating state, the gas control system may activate both first and second mass controllers.

Abstract: A monitoring system may monitor a gap between an ingot and a bottom block of a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more molds positioned in a casting environment and send the optical data to the computer system. The computer system may compare the optical data with a baseline profile. Based on the comparison between the optical data and the baseline profile, the computer system may determine if the ingot has separated from the bottom block and the height of the separation. The computer system may generate operating instructions based on the separation. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

Abstract: A monitoring system may monitor a casting environment, for example, including a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more components in a casting environment. The camera may send the optical data to the computer system and the computer system may generate a profile associated with the casting environment. The profile may be compared with a baseline profile to determine whether a particular event has occurred. Based on the event that may have occurred, operating instructions can be generated. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

Abstract: A monitoring system may monitor the level of molten metal in a mold. The monitoring system may include a camera and a computer system. The camera may be positioned to capture or detect optical data associated with one or more molds positioned in a casting environment and send the optical data to the computer system. For example, the computer system may determine the level of the molten metal in the mold. The level of the molten metal in the mold may be compared with a baseline level. The computer system may generate operating instructions based on the comparison between the current level and the baseline level. The operating instructions may be used to adjust the casting process.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an event detection system that captures data associated with events while a DC casting system forms an ingot, determines characteristics of the events, and improves the casting system based on the events. Example systems and methods may include initiating a casting operation using one or more pieces of equipment of a casting system including a casting apparatus; capturing sensor data associated with one or more acoustic signals captured relative to the one or more pieces of equipment performing the casting operation; comparing the sensor data with a set of acoustic profiles; determining whether a particular type of event has occurred; causing an adjustment to the casting system or to the casting operation based on whether the particular type of event has occurred; and initiating a second casting operation using the adjusted casting system or casting operation.

Abstract: Metal can separate from a casting mold during the casting process. A detection system can monitor the mold and determine if the metal has separated from the mold. The detection system can include a camera, a light source, and a computer system. The camera and light source can be placed on opposite sides of the casting mold and positioned to both point toward the mold. The computer system can detect if any light is visible between the mold and the metal based on data received from the camera. The computer system can then determine the metal has pulled away from the mold based on the detected light.

Abstract: A metal casting system includes a master conveyor, a slave conveyor, a cutting device, and a control system. The master conveyor includes a first belt and a first motor, and the slave conveyor is separated from the master conveyor and includes a second belt and a second belt. The cutting device is between the master conveyor and the slave conveyor and selectively cuts a metal product that is conveyed by the master conveyor and the slave conveyor. The control system includes a sensor that detects ends of sections of the metal product as the sections of the metal product move in a downstream direction. The control system also includes a controller communicatively coupled with the sensor. The controller selectively controls at least one of the first motor or the second motor based on the detected ends from the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods are provided for controlling the shape of an ingot head during formation. At the end of a cast, prior to forming the ingot head, chill bars or other cooling structure may be lowered into an ingot mold and define a reduced casting footprint for forming the ingot head. Supplemental molten metal may be fed into the reduced casting footprint, and the chill bars may be moved laterally towards the center of the ingot, further reducing the casting footprint. As additional molten metal fills the reduced mold footprint, the ingot may be lowered relative to the chill bars to further increase the height of the ingot head. Additional molten metal may be added until the desired shape of the ingot head is formed.

Abstract: Automated processes and systems dynamically control the delivery rate of molten metal to a mold during a casting process. Such automated processes and systems can include automatically controlling a flow control device (such as a control pin) during a first phase of casting to modulate molten metal flow or flow rate, moving the flow control device in a transition time between the first phase and a second phase toward a substitute flow control device position determined based on a difference between a first projected flow rate of the first phase and a second projected flow rate of the second phase, and resuming automatic control of the flow control device during the second phase based on the detected metal level and the metal level setpoint. Overshoot and/or undershoot can additionally or alternatively be mitigated by translating the mold or altering the cast speed.

Abstract: Automated processes and systems dynamically control the delivery rate of molten metal to a mold during a casting process. Such automated processes and systems can include automatically controlling a flow control device (such as a control pin) during a first phase of casting to modulate molten metal flow or flow rate, moving the flow control device in a transition time between the first phase and a second phase toward a substitute flow control device position determined based on a difference between a first projected flow rate of the first phase and a second projected flow rate of the second phase, and resuming automatic control of the flow control device during the second phase based on the detected metal level and the metal level setpoint. Overshoot and/or undershoot can additionally or alternatively be mitigated by translating the mold or altering the cast speed.