Abstract: Continuous casting apparatus and the like in which at least one tundish is provided to receive hot metal from a ladle. Two ladles are provided, each ladle being arranged for horizontal movement between positions above the tundishes and to one side of the tundishes. Stoppers are located in the ladle bottoms adjacent the outer edge so that two ladles can be simultaneously positioned over one tundish.

Abstract: A novel and improved starting bar head for use in conjunction with the starting bar and the flow through mold of a continuous casting apparatus for the continuous casting of metal strands wherein the starting bar head includes a body member defining a mold plug portion which is retained with respect to the starting bar and a strand retention member which is releasably retained with respect to the starting bar head body member in a manner that, upon separation of the cast strand from the starting bar, the body member and plug portion are retained by the starting bar and the strand retention member is retained by the leading end of the strand.

Abstract: A shrouding sleeve for removable insertion between a tundish and an underlying mold to vertically enshroud a liquid stream issuing from the tundish to the mold wherein the shrouding sleeve consists of upper and lower substantially rigid sleeve portions. The upper sleeve is removably secured to the underside of the tundish and the lower sleeve is removably insertable for vertical alignment between the upper sleeve and the underlying mold. An annular flange is annularly secured to the bottom of the upper sleeve, and in a similar manner, annular flanges are also secured to the top and bottom of the lower sleeve. Another annular flange is also secured to the top of the underlying mold. At least one of these annular flanges is under continuous bias in the vertical direction so that when the lower shrouding sleeve is transversely inserted into vertical alignment between the upper sleeve and the mold, all of the annular flanges engage adjacent mating flanges to form a continuous shrouding sleeve under seal.

Abstract: A metal processing system wherein a material removing means such as a shear blade is operative in conjunction with the transverse cutting action of a torch for removing from the cut line produced by the torch residual material resulting from the cutting action of the torch in a manner that the residual material is removed progressively along the transverse cut line in coordinated following relationship to the producing of the transverse cut line by the torch.

Abstract: A starting bar for a flow-through continuous casting mold is curved lengthwise in a vertical plane and has a trailing end for joining to a metal strand issuing from the mold, and a leading end portion provided with a row of rack teeth extending along the bar. A storage housing spaced laterally from the mold has a vertical passage through it for receiving the leading end portion of the bar when the bar is moved lengthwise from a strand-receiving position to the storage housing and up into its passage where a vertical gear will be engaged by the rack teeth.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus mold table supports a plate that in turn supports a mold extending through both. The table has opposite side walls extending above the plate, with each side wall supporting a shaft extending lengthwise of it between it and the plate and carrying lugs that overlap the adjacent marginal portion of the plate to clamp it on the table when the shaft is turned in the right direction and locked against reverse rotation. When the shafts are released, the plate and mold can be lifted past the lugs and removed from the table.

Abstract: Extending downwardly from a guide rod above the rear end of a cutting table that supports a continuously cast metal strand as it travels forward over the table are a torch arm and a feeler arm, the upper ends of which are slidably and rotatably mounted on the rod to permit their lower ends to be swung transversely of the table independently of each other. A cutting torch secured to the torch arm is directed downwardly from it, and the feeler arm extends below the torch for engaging one side of a metal strand on the table. The feeler arm carries means for engaging the torch arm to position the lower end of the torch over the upper edge of the same side of a strand that the feeler arm is engaging. Located forward of the guide rod is a stop for engagement by the leading end of the strand for movement forward with it.

Abstract: A flexible elongated strand-starting member curved lengthwise in a vertical plane has one end formed for temporarily plugging the bottom of a flow-through continuous casting mold. Extending from the opposite end of the starting member along one of its curved sides is a row of rack teeth. Spaced laterally from the mold and at about the same level is a storage housing that has a substantially vertical passage through it for the starting member, while a pair of reversible pinch rolls located about halfway between the mold and storage housing but at a lower level are in a position to grip the lower end portion of the starting member while its upper end is plugging the mold. The rolls withdraw the starting member and a metal strand attached to it from the mold and feed the starting member up into the storage housing passage where a vertical gear engages the rack teeth.