Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming hollow extrusions. Specifically, a method and apparatus for imparting one or more bends and/or twists in a hollow extrusion under stretch. The apparatus may perform all of these formation and stretch functions as the result of one single physical or mechanical force imparted on the apparatus from either an internal or an external source. The forming apparatus and method may provide an easy way to mount and/or dismount the hollow extrusion form the machine by way of separate or integral gripper mounts. The single-force stretch-bend-twist apparatus may be used in a mass production manufacturing environment where the machine and method can perform complex formation steps and may automatically reset itself back to a starting position after formation.

Abstract: A continuous casting machine ("block caster") is provided with chain-wise interlinking of mold block assemblies. Such chain-wise interlinking maintains the mold block assemblies essentially contiguous and is essential to provide operation of a continuous casting machine essentially free of mechanical noise. Each mold block assembly is elastically independently hinged by dual parallel hingepins, spaced-apart in the casting direction (x-axis), as the mold block assembly is carried between opposed, transversely (y-axis) spaced-apart guide rails of each carriage track. The elastic hinge means compensates for variation in block-to-block (centerline) distance caused by kinematic phenomena, including thermally induced variations in the dimensions of individual blocks as a function of their position in each track during operation. Guide rollers guided in generally horizontal guide roller-ways are afforded no measurable tolerance relative to their vertical displacement, when the roller-ways are off-set.