Abstract: During a change in casting parameters, particularly during displacement of a mold wall to change the strand format or cross-sectional shape, the supporting action and the cooling capacity should not fall either below a well-defined supporting action and a predetermined cooling capacity in order to avoid metal break-out or other defects in the cast strand. Furthermore, upon changing the strand cross-section the rate of adjustment should be increased in order to reduce the length of transitional pieces between the old strand format and the new strand format. To achieve this result it is contemplated to bend the mold wall, during displacement thereof into each pivotal position thereof, this bending of the mold wall corresponding to the instantaneous geometric shape of the moving solidified shell or skin of the strand and such bending is represented by bending lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging pouring tubes at a casting vessel having a closeable bottom pour opening of a continuous casting installation. Each pouring tube has an infeed end and an outfeed end for the molten metal, typically steel, flowing therethrough and into a throughflow vessel, such as a continuous casting mold or tundish. Guides serve to move each pouring tube from an approximately horizontal introduction or infeed position into a substantially vertical casting position. The guides are structured such that different paths of movement are provided for the infeed end and outfeed end of the pouring tube, and specifically, the infeed end of the pouring tube moves along an approximately horizontal path of movement and the outfeed end of the pouring tube moves along an approximately vertical path of movement, at least a portion of which vertical path of movement is located within the throughflow vessel.

Abstract: A pendulum shear for a continuous casting installation wherein the shear is provided with a mechanical drive for a pulse-like cutting operation, a knife or cutter rigidly connected with the pendulum and movable by a driven crank towards a second knife. Further, there is provided mechanism for accelerating the pendulum out of its rest position at approximately the maximum knife opening in the direction of travel of the strand, this mechanism, prior to the cutting operation, accelerating the pendulum at its cutting region to a speed approximately corresponding to the speed of travel of the strand. The mechanism for the acceleration of the pendulum consists of a guide arranged at the stand or housing and guides the pendulum along its path between the rest position and the start of the cutting operation, and the cooperation of this guide with the pendulum moved by the crank controls such acceleration.