Abstract: A device for handling semi-continuously vertically cast rectangular strands, especially of aluminum and aluminum alloys. The strands are simultaneously adjacent to each other lowered by means of a downwardly movable casting table, brought into engagement with a supporting member, and by a pivoting movement of the dummy bars and of the supporting member which are operatively connected to the casting table are moved into an at least nearly horizontal positon with regard to the casting table. The above mentioned pivoting movement is coupled to the upward movement of the casting table. The strands are cast in such a way that one of their narrow sides is located opposite the supporting member. During the upward movement of the casting table, the supporting member with the strands one narrow side of which engages the supporting member are pivoted about a pivot axis which is eccentrically located with regard to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the casting table.

Abstract: A continuous mold with a mold chamber, preferably a rectangular mold chamber, for continuously casting metals, especially copper and copper alloys, which includes a one piece or more piece graphite block and also includes cooling pipes forming components of a cooling circuit and being frictionally connected to the graphite block for improving the heat transfer to the mold chamber of the graphite block. The cooling circuit is structurally separate from the graphite block, and the cooling pipes yieldably engage the outer surface of the graphite block.