Abstract: A method for producing a metal ingot by using an electron-beam melting furnace having an electron gun and a hearth that accumulates a molten metal of a metal raw material, wherein the metal raw material is supplied to the position on a supply line disposed along a second side wall of the hearth that accumulates the molten metal of the metal raw material. A first electron beam is radiated along a first irradiation line that is disposed along the supply line and is closer to a central part of the hearth relative to the supply line on the surface of the molten metal, wherein a surface temperature (T2) of the molten metal at the first irradiation line is made higher than an average surface temperature (T0) of the entire surface of the molten metal in the hearth.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided herein that track an integrated deviation of a physical property of a material that corresponds to a variation or defect in the material. In one embodiment, molten steel begins to solidify and move past an instrumented region of a mold. Sensors in the mold can detect a deviation in temperature of the instrumented region of the mold that signifies a variation or defect in the surface of the slab material as it solidifies. The systems, methods, and apparatuses track the integrated temperature deviation to more clearly visualize defects that may otherwise not be detectable by simply observing the temperatures of the mold and slab material in real time.

Abstract: An aftercooler for horizontal continuous casting includes a plurality of aftercooler segments each of which includes a plurality of radially acting aftercooler sections. The radially acting sections each define inner surfaces which combine with the remaining radially acting aftercooler sections to form an aftercooler passage. The radially acting sections within each aftercooler segment are banded together by a plurality of resilient encircling bands. The bands draw the radially acting aftercooler sections together to constrain a casting within the casting passage. The plurality of aftercooler segments are provided with a surrounding coolant carrying jacket. A plurality of gas distribution passages are formed in the radially acting aftercooler sections which are provided with a flow of inert gas. The inert gas distributes itself between the surfaces of the casting and the surfaces of the aftercooler passage to prevent oxide formation and to ease the travel of the casting through the aftercooler.

Abstract: A method of casting a thin strip is disclosed. The method includes assembling a pair of side dams adjacent end portions of counter-rotating casting rolls through which a strip of metal can be cast to permit a casting pool of molten metal to be formed supported by the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls delivering molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip and confined by the pair of side dams, assembling a mechanical screw drive to move axially the side dams toward the casting pool, counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip, and moving the side dams axially inward toward the casting pool at a rate of between 0.4 and 5.0 mm/hour by actuation of the mechanical screw.

Abstract: The inflow of liquid metal into a continuous casting mold is set by a closure device. A measured actual meniscus value is fed to a controller determining a closure device target position on the basis of the actual and a corresponding target value. The measured actual value is fed to a disturbance variable compensator. The target position/corrected target position or a corresponding actual value are further fed to the disturbance variable compensator which determines the disturbance variable compensation value. The disturbance variable compensator has a model of the continuous casting mold for determining an expected value. A number of oscillating compensators determine a frequency disturbance proportion. The sum of the frequency disturbance proportions corresponds to the disturbance variable compensation value. The disturbance variable compensator has a jump determiner, by which it determines the jump compensation value by integrating the difference.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the horizontal oscillation of an edge dam of a twin roll strip caster is provided. The apparatus includes an oscillation unit which horizontally oscillates an oscillation plate in accordance with an oscillation waveform so that an edge dam refractory coupled to the oscillation plate horizontally oscillates, a servo valve which outputs the oscillation waveform to the oscillation unit, and a control unit which applies the oscillation waveform to the servo valve, thus controlling the horizontal oscillation of the oscillation unit. The amplitude, frequency and waveform of the oscillation are variably controlled depending on casting conditions. The edge dam horizontally oscillates, using the servo valve and a hydraulic cylinder, thus rapidly removing edge skull and suppressing the generation and growth of skull, thereby preventing a casting roll or edge dam from being damaged.

Abstract: A strand guiding apparatus includes a plurality of pairs of rollers arranged along a moving direction of a strand, a plurality of drive motors for generating driving forces to drive the pairs of rollers, a plurality of worm reducers for transmitting the driving forces of the drive motors to the pairs of rollers while reducing the rotational speed of the drive motors, each worm reducer having a worm extending in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the corresponding roller, and operable to transmit a load occurring at the roller to the corresponding drive motor, and a control unit for controlling the respective rotational speeds of the rollers and/or the respective driving forces of the drive motors based on the load to the drive motors. The reliable control for drive rollers can be attained to have a proper rotational speed without causing a reduction in surface quality and chatter in a strand guiding apparatus for continuous casting equipment using worm reducers.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously casting thin strip includes a caster having a pair of casting rolls having a nip there between capable of delivering cast strip downwardly from the nip and an first enclosure capable of forming a protective atmosphere into which the strip can be formed in loop to extend over a plurality of rollers into pinch rolls with the strip having a strain of less than 0.4%, which may be provided by a plurality of rollers at entry of the strip into the pinch rolls to carry the strip into the pinch rolls, with at least a first entry roller having a diameter between 200 and 650 millimeters and being below a majority of other rollers.

Abstract: A method and an installation for the continuous checking and regulation of the level of the surface of a slag bath in an ESR installation with short slidable molds. For the continuous measurement of the position of the surface of the slag bath, the method employs a radar beam emitted by a radar measuring probe and directed approximately vertically onto the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for centering a submerged entry nozzle. The present invention includes: a plurality of laser beam generators 20 that is disposed above a mold 3 for continuous casting to radiate a laser beam toward the center of the mold; a tundish moving unit 15 that moves a tundish 1 above the mold 3; and a control unit that is linked with the laser beam generators 20 and controls the tundish moving unit 15 to center the installation position of the submerged entry nozzle 5 provided at the lower portion of the tundish, in response to signals transmitted from the laser beam generators 20. According to the present invention, in addition to accurately and quickly centering the submerged entry nozzle 5, it is possible to maintain the submerged entry nozzle that has been centered, such that it is possible to minimize a channeling phenomenon of molten steel. Accordingly, it can be expected to improve the quality of a slab.

Abstract: A steel slab caster having a mold with movable opposing mold faces, and methods of using the steel slab caster for casting steel slabs. The movable opposing mold faces may be laterally positioned with respect to each other in a predefined configuration. Molten steel may be introduced into the mold of the slab caster. The forces exerted by the molten metal on at least one of the opposing mold faces and/or the lateral positions of the opposing mold faces may be monitored during casting at locations on at least one of the movable mold faces. The position of the monitored mold face may be controlled during casting responsive to the monitored forces and/or monitored position.

Abstract: A strand guiding apparatus includes a plurality of pairs of rollers arranged along a moving direction of a strand, a plurality of drive motors for generating driving forces to drive the pairs of rollers, a plurality of worm reducers for transmitting the driving forces of the drive motors to the pairs of rollers while reducing the rotational speed of the drive motors, each worm reducer having a worm extending in a direction orthogonal to an axis of the corresponding roller, and operable to transmit a load occurring at the roller to the corresponding drive motor, and a control unit for controlling the respective rotational speeds of the rollers and/or the respective driving forces of the drive motors based on the load to the drive motors. The reliable control for drive rollers can be attained to have a proper rotational speed without causing a reduction in surface quality and chatter in a strand guiding apparatus for continuous casting equipment using worm reducers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for centering a submerged entry nozzle. The present invention includes: a plurality of laser beam generators 20 that is disposed above a mold 3 for continuous casting to radiate a laser beam toward the center of the mold; a tundish moving unit 15 that moves a tundish 1 above the mold 3; and a control unit that is linked with the laser beam generators 20 and controls the tundish moving unit 15 to center the installation position of the submerged entry nozzle 5 provided at the lower portion of the tundish, in response to signals transmitted from the laser beam generators 20. According to the present invention, in addition to accurately and quickly centering the submerged entry nozzle 5, it is possible to maintain the submerged entry nozzle that has been centered, such that it is possible to minimize a channeling phenomenon of molten steel. Accordingly, it can be expected to improve the quality of a slab.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and positioning a continuous cast strand in a casting plant. Lateral positions and, optionally, elevational positions of a cast strand are monitored by sensors as casting proceeds and are fed to a computer-based system as corresponding position information where the information is stored as associated data. The computer-based system processes the associated data and generates corresponding control signals which are used to control at least one correcting device to maintain desired orientation of the cast strand as casting proceeds.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the flow of liquid metal in a device for casting a metal. A detector measures a process variable. A control unit evaluates data from the detector. At least one process parameter is automatically varied in order to optimize casting conditions. The detector measures a characteristic of the meniscus at at least two points on the meniscus instantaneously throughout the casting process.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.

Abstract: A steel slab caster having a mold with movable opposing mold faces, and methods of using the steel slab caster for casting steel slabs. The movable opposing mold faces may be laterally positioned with respect to each other in a predefined configuration. Molten steel may be introduced into the mold of the slab caster. The forces exerted by the molten metal on at least one of the opposing mold faces and/or the lateral positions of the opposing mold faces may be monitored during casting at locations on at least one of the movable mold faces. The position of the monitored mold face may be controlled during casting responsive to the monitored forces and/or monitored position.

Abstract: A steel slab caster having a mold with movable opposing mold faces, and methods of using the steel slab caster for casting steel slabs. The movable opposing mold faces may be laterally positioned with respect to each other in a predefined configuration. Molten steel may be introduced into the mold of the slab caster. The lateral positions and/or pressures of the opposing mold faces are monitored at two vertically spaced locations on at least one of the movable mold faces of the opposing mold faces as casting proceeds, and data is generated in response to the monitoring. The opposing movable mold faces may be adjusted in response to the generated data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strip-casting machine (20) for producing a metal strip. Said strip-casting machine consists of a pair of casting rolls (22, 24) arranged in side-by-side parallel relation of lateral sealing elements (25) that are provided with respective sealing plates (61) at both sides of the casting rolls (22, 24) and that adjoin the casting rolls. The contact pressure of the sealing plate (61) against the casting rolls (22, 24) and/or the frictional conditions between them can be measured. The sealing plates (61) at the front faces (22′, 24′) of the casting rolls (22, 24) are positioned at a distance of a few tenth of millimeters or so as to closely fit the front faces (22′, 24′) in the operational state, with our without contact pressure. The sealing plates are positioned in such a manner that also in the heated operational state the desired positions of the sealing plates relative to the front faces of the casting rolls are kept very precise.

Abstract: A device and method for the early detection of a rupture in a continuous casting plant, in which liquid metal is cast into a chill (2) and is withdrawn from the chill (2) in the form of a billet (1), the temperature of the chill (2) being measured, and the temperature of the chill (2) being simultaneously presented with reference to the location at which the temperature was measured and the time over which the temperature was measured.

Abstract: Twin roll casting of metal strip (20) by rotation of parallel casting rolls (16) supplied with molten metal through distributor (19a) and delivery nozzle (19b). X-ray scanner (44) continuously scans the thickness of strip (20) to produce a signal which is a continuous measure of thickness variation along the strip due to eccentricities of the casting rolls (16). This signal controls operation of roll drive motors (53) to impose a pattern of speed variation on the rolls so as to reduce the amplitude of the thickness variations.

Abstract: A process for continuously casting a thin metal strip controls has jets directed at casting rollers using sensor feedback. Sensor feedback can be taken directly from the rollers, or can be determined indirectly by sensing a condition of the thin metal strip. Surface conditions are controlled over a longitudinal extent of the rollers through locally controlled gas jets. The feedback control of the roller surfaces provides a more uniform casting surface and a more consistent output from the casting surface.

Abstract: The process is characterized in that, before starting casting, an initialization position is determined for the stopper rod control actuator when the stopper rod is resting on its seat under its own weight and after having filled the tundish equipped with this stopper rod, the actuator is operated to place it in a controlled superclosed position and, to start casting, the actuator is driven according to an imposed movement versus time law, time (t1) for start of casting being determined from this law and the control actuator continues to be driven in opening direction to enable the metal to flow into the ingot mould.