Abstract: A caster including a device for delivering a gas into a space created by the apparatus that define the mold of the caster and the nozzle of the caster. Introducing a gas into the space resists backflowing and freezing of the molten metal to the nozzle. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A caster including a device for delivering a gas into a space created by the apparatus that define the mold of the caster and the nozzle of the caster. Introducing a gas into the space resists backflowing and freezing of the molten metal to the nozzle.

Abstract: A cooling system for a belt caster including at least one movable belt. The cooling system includes a plurality of rollers and a plurality of nozzles arranged between the rollers to deliver coolant to the belt. The rollers provide a rolling support surface upon which the belt may be supported and are constructed and arranged so that a maximum number of nozzles can be provided to deliver coolant to the belt of the caster. In another embodiment, the cooling system includes a cooling box having (i) a first chamber for receiving coolant from a coolant supply; (ii) supply tubes for delivering coolant from the first chamber to a second chamber defined by a cooling face of the cooling box and the cooling surface of the belt; and (iii) a third chamber for receiving coolant from the second chamber. Associated methods of casting a molten metal into a metal product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tundish including a baffle for directing the flow of molten metal through the tundish. The caster of the invention includes a mold having a center portion and an outside edge portion for solidifying molten metal into a metal product. The caster includes a tundish having a baffle for directing the flow of the molten metal into the mold so that the molten metal solidifies in the central portion before solidifying in the outside edge portion. This way, cracking of the metal product which is solidified in the mold is resisted. An associated method of casting molten metal into a metal product in a mold of a caster is also provided.

Abstract: The side dam is movably mounted to the caster so that it can be securely sealed against the nozzle to resist molten metal in the mold from leaking between the nozzle and the side dam. An adjustment system adjusts the pressure of the side dam against the nozzle in order to insure a tight secure seal of the side dam against the nozzle while at the same time adjusting the pressure of the side dam against the nozzle so that excessive undesired frictional wear of the nozzle is avoided.

Abstract: The side dam includes a frame, an orbiting chain and a plurality of elements connected to the chain. The elements each include a carrier connected to the chain and a block mounted to the carrier. The element further includes a spring or other biasing member for urging the block to bow toward an outer edge of the solidifying molten metal in the mold.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a tundish, a nozzle for receiving molten metal from the tundish and discharging molten metal into a mold of a caster and a plurality of tubes interposed between the tundish and the nozzle for transporting the molten metal from the tundish to the nozzle. The apparatus further includes a plurality of wear strips having a first end portion secured to the tundish and a second end portion secured to the nozzle. The wear strips secure the nozzle to the tundish, provide a tight secure fit of the tubes to the nozzle and protect the nozzle from wearing.

Abstract: A caster including at least one belt driving and guiding system for driving and guiding a movable belt through a casting zone where molten metal is cast. The belt driving and guiding system includes a first coil having an axis of rotation, the first coil being positioned relative to the caster such that the first coil can be moved so that its axis of rotation is spaced generally parallel to its axis of rotation before it was moved. The belt driving and guiding system also includes a second coil. In this way, the movable belt can be alternately uncoiled and coiled from the first coil and the second coil without having to dismount either the first or second coil from the caster. An associated method of casting molten metal is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cooling system for a belt caster including at least one movable belt. The cooling system includes a plurality of rollers and a plurality of nozzles arranged between the rollers to deliver coolant to the belt. The rollers provide a rolling support surface upon which the belt may be supported and are constructed and arranged so that a maximum number of nozzles can be provided to deliver coolant to the belt of the caster. In another embodiment, the cooling system includes a cooling box having (i) a first chamber for receiving coolant from a coolant supply; (ii) supply tubes for delivering coolant from the first chamber to a second chamber defined by a cooling face of the cooling box and the cooling surface of the belt; and (iii) a third chamber for receiving coolant from the second chamber. Associated methods of casting a molten metal into a metal product are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endless belt work hardening apparatus including a pair of rotatable supporting rolls, a work roll disposed between the supporting rolls and a pair of tension rolls having disposed therebetween the work roll. The endless belt is positioned in the apparatus so that the tension rolls and the work roll engage the inner major surface of the endless belt and the supporting rolls engage against the outer major surface of the endless belt. The tension rolls are moved away from each other and the supporting rolls are rotated to reduce the thickness of the endless belt and work harden the endless belt. Associated methods of work hardening an endless belt for use in a belt caster and manufacturing an endless belt for use in a belt caster are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nozzle for a caster defining a mold for casting molten metal into a metal product. The nozzle includes a mouthpiece portion for introducing the molten metal from the nozzle into the mold and further includes a baffle having a portion thereof disposed in the mouthpiece portion and a portion thereof extending into the mold. An associated method of casting a molten metal in a mold of a caster is also disclosed.

Abstract: Casting process and device for the continuous casting of strip and thin slabs or rods whereby at least one wall of a casting mold is formed by a flexible open-end casting belt which travels from a coil through the mold is coiled up again after passing through the mold. The belt is submitted to a tensile force acting in the direction of its path of motion and so intensely that the belt, when it is heated up in the mold, is stressed beyond its elastic limit as to cause the belt to be strained to the extent that the growth of its cross-sectional area resulting from thermal expansion is sufficiently compensated for by the reduction of its cross-section due to the strain in the belt. Thereby an inadmissable deformation of the belt due to its thermal expansion is prevented.

Abstract: In rollers, especially those used for continuous casting of strips (40) of aluminum and other metals, the coolant flows between the roller shell (7) and the roller core (8) through axial cooling channels (26). The counterflow principle is here applied, so that the coolant alternatively flows in the cooling channels (26) from one front side (41, 41a) to the other and is discharged there. A bore divided into an axial channel (15) and into a tubular channel (16) for supplying and discharging the coolant extends from one front side of the roller (1) to the other front side. Alternating supply and discharge ducts for the cooling channels (26) that extend over the whole length of the roller core (8) are arranged in such a manner near both roller front sides that the coolant flows according to the counterflow principle. The cooling channels (26) are formed of longitudinal grooves in the core (8) and shell (7) of the roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for reeling up strips, especially aluminum strips produced in a rolling casting plant, comprises a reel arranged axially rotatable by a drive in a path of the strip. This reel in the position for use is disengageably connected with the drive arranged on one side of the strip path and fixedly connected with a carriage frame arranged on the other side of the strip path. With the carriage frame the reel can be drawn out of the strip path. Close to the reel there is mounted a coil stripper provided with a drive.

Abstract: A process for driving and synchronizing rolls, in particular the rolls of a strip casting facility, is such that each roll is driven by a separate motor drive via gearing, and the turning speed of the motor is regulated. The synchronizing of the motor drives during idling of the rolls takes place via miter gearing coupled to the motors and a sliding coupling between these sets of gears in addition to a shaft connecting them; the synchronizing is undertaken via manual or automatic control of motor turning speed as a function of roll speed and roll diameter.

Abstract: A flow of coolant is injected or blown into spaces bounded by a cast strip the point of minimal separation between the rolls, and the rolls themselves. The coolant is injected or blown by means of nozzles disposed on both sides of the strip. In the case of an asymmetric emergence of the strip due to increased adhesion to one of the rolls, the resulting asymmetric conditions cause the strip to continually be redirected into a symmetric position. This stabilizing effect renders it possible to achieve a much greater length of contact between the cast metal and the rolls and consequently to realize the essential increase of the production rate of the casting line.

Abstract: In a casting nozzle, tubes are placed between a bar-shaped mouthpiece and a distribution bar, which connect holes in the mouthpiece and the distribution bar to allow for the flow of the melt. Pulling rods which are under tension, are anchored to the mouthpiece and to the distribution bar and press these parts elastically against the ends of the tubes in such a manner that the nozzle components are elastically braced, yet remain flexible and can adjust freely to heat dilatations or inaccuracies which occur in fabrication or assembly. The nozzle components, particularly the tubes, are easy to obtain and to exchange. Due to the fact that the pulling rods enter the mouthpiece from its back side and are anchored therein, the mouthpiece can be very slender, thus allowing for thin casting.

Abstract: A side dam consisting of elements is arranged laterally of the casting nozzle and the casting mold. The side dam with the elements travels over two pulleys. Each element consists of a carrier and an easily exchangeable block which is connected to the carrier. Each carrier is supported at one end on a guide rail and a pulley by way of a foot and is swivel mounted at the other end to the foot of the neighboring element by way of a connection rod. By these measures optimum conditions are provided so that the side dam travels at a constant speed, despite the application of relatively long elements. Defect blocks can be exchanged during operation. The side dam's plane of motion is parallel to the mold wall's planes of motion and the side dam can herewith be adjusted at any desired depth between the casting mold walls, whereby the width of the cast product is determined.

Abstract: Prior to reaching the nozzle's exit, the belt is pressed from outward against the nozzle by means of a rail supported by springs whereby the mould is reliably sealed off under all working conditions. Pressing the belt against the nozzle can also be achieved by means of pistons or the direct hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic effect of the coolant from the outside or through various combined measures. In order to reduce friction and wear, the nozzle in the area of contact with one belt can be provided with a wear-resistant coating or wear-resistant inserts. This sealing method enables a casting process with high metallostatic pressure, consequently resulting in a high quality product.

Abstract: Rods are placed into axially arranged grooves of the roll core. These rods protrude radially from the roll surface and the roll shell is shrink-fitted onto the rods. Due to the creeping movement of the roll shell which is a result of periodical heating and cooling thereof, the inside surface of the shell and the interfacing outside surface of each rod are subject to wear. Whenever this wear has proceeded beyond a tolerable limit the rods are replaced, whereafter a new shell with a normal inside diameter is again shrink-fitted onto the rods. Thereby the rod's and the shell's dimensions must never be changed. The roll core is not subject to wear. Stock-keeping and fabrication are particularly simplified due to the fact that the dimensions of the replacement parts never change.