Abstract: The apparatus which pushes or elevates molten material into a mold cavity. The apparatus further includes a reservoir and a shuttle for transferring the molten material from a reservoir. The shuttle and reservoir assembly permits molten material to be elevated upwardly into the shuttle from the beneath the surface of the molten material to minimize or eliminate pouring and thus turbulence and pores in the final product. The final product is free of cracks and laminations, and is smooth and nonporous.

Abstract: A hold-down mechanism (88) is provided for holding a base plate (32) of a casting assembly (20) in engagement with a crucible (28). The hold-down mechanism (88) includes a plurality of Belleville-type washers (89) for allowing relative movement while maintaining a predetermined force holding the base plate (32) in engagement with the crucible (28). The hold-down mechanism includes a plurality of tension rods (90) and a plurality of forks (91) each having a pair of spaced fingers (92), each of the rods (90) being paired with one of the forks (91). Each of the rods (90) has a threaded end (93) and the Belleville-type washers (89) are disposed about the threaded end (93) of each of the rods (90) with a threaded nut (94) engaging the threads (93) of each of the rods (90) for compressing the washers (89) against the fingers (92) of the forks (91).

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and pouring metal and metal alloys. A metal melting and pouring apparatus suitable for graining the molten material is described. A graphite crucible having at least one exit orifice in its lower, tapered portion, a graphite barrier plate or disk having a plurality of orifices located within the crucible on the tapered portion thereof, and an element for heating the apparatus to temperatures sufficient to melt the metal, have been found to produce a steady stream of consistent droplet-size molten metal, while maintaining a choosen level of liquid metal in the crucible to prevent less dense impurity materials from passing through the exit orifice(s) of the crucible, and to improve the efficiency of melting additional metal subsequently introduced into the crucible.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises first and second mold blocks, each having a pair of matching mold half cavities and being adapted to be held in assembled relationship with the half cavities in abutting register, to define, a pair of full cavities. The apparatus further includes a sprue cutter plate pivotally mounted on the upper surface of one of the blocks. The sprue plate also has (i) a pair of orifice holes in a lower planar surface spaced so as to be aligned with the tops of the full cavities, (ii) a pair of spaced apart countersinks recessed into an upper planar surface and in respective connecting register with the pair of orifice holes, and (iii) a trough in the upper planar surface connecting the pair of countersinks.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a portable plural-walled ladle, a retractable immersion heating element, and support means for the heating element capable of controllably lowering the heating element so as to extend the heating element a preselected depth into the ladle, supporting the heating element during melting operations, and raising the heating element out of the ladle.

Abstract: A low pressure die-casting machine has a ladle unit, a molten metal pressurizing unit, a switching unit, and a controller. The ladle unit has an intake/discharge port with a cross-sectional area in a range of from 20 to 80 mm.sup.2 so as to be capable of successively supplying the molten metal to a desired location. The molten metal pressurizing unit is switchable between two positions. One position is for selectively supplying compressed air to the ladle to positively discharge the molten metal from the ladle through the intake/discharge port. The other position is for selectively isolating the ladle in order to retain the molten metal therein. The switching unit is connected between the molten metal pressurizing unit and the ladle. It is switchable between first and second change-over positions. The first change-over position is for providing fluid communication between the ladle and the molten metal pressurizing unit.

Abstract: The pouring ladle can not only be tilted by a tilting drive and a cable around a permanent tilting axis in order to pour the molten metal in a mould, respectively to interrupt the pouring process, but the tilting axis can be lifted and lowered by a determined value by a lifting drive. By lifting and lowering the tilting axis, the tilting motion of the pouring ladle takes place approximately in the center of gravity of the molten metal. This permits to avoid compensating streams and wave motions of the molten metal when the pouring ladle tilts forward and backward and more definite and reliable processes are achieved, capable to be controlled, at the start of pouring and at the time of terminating the pouring. The lifting drive and the tilting drive can be utilized for further lifting the pouring ladle in order to advance the pouring ladle further toward the center of the mould at the first pouring process under holding a determined distance of security from the mould.

Abstract: Cast components having reduced porosity levels are produced by pouring a molten metal into a mould which is in a first chamber, and withdrawing the filled mould into a second chamber. The second chamber is then isolated from the first chamber with regard to pressure, and the second chamber is then pressurized with a fluid up to a maximum pressure of 7 MPa for at least part of the time required for solidification of the metal in the mould. The pressure is preferably applied within forty seconds from the finish of pouring of the molten metal, and more preferably within twenty seconds. The still molten state of the metal permits the use of a relatively low pressure to reduce the porosity levels.

Abstract: An ingot having a predetermined amount of electrolytic copper and a small percentage of boron copper alloy is rapidly heated to about 2,100.degree. F. in a clay graphite crucible by induction coils surrounding the crucible. The crucible and the entire amount of molten copper are automatically transferred to a cavity defined within a shot cylinder above a vertically movable shot piston of a vertical die casting press. A shuttle moves a lower end ring mold and a stack of connected rotor laminations into a position above the shot cylinder, and the press moves an upper end ring mold downwardly to clamp the stack between the molds and against the cylinder. The molten copper is rapidly injected upwardly through gates within the lower mold and into end ring cavities within the molds and also through connecting aligned bar slots within the stack of laminations with a shot pressure of about 2250 psi.

Abstract: The apparatus includes casting stations disposed around a melt chamber of a furnace. Each casting station has a tundish for selectively transporting melt to the desired casting station. The apparatus is provided with apertures in the walls of the melting chamber to allow the tundishes to enter the melt chamber through fixed vacuum seals to receive molten metal from a tiltable melting unit and to convey the melt through the vacuum gate valve to the desired casting station.

Abstract: A low-flexure molten metal distribution launder comprises an elongated structural beam which extends over a plurality of casting stations. A plurality of metal level sensors extend downward from the elongated structural beam to measure molten metal levels in underlying metal casting stations. A plurality of spaced U-shaped refractory hangers are supported within the structural beam to form a refractory channel. Refractory liners are received within the refractory hangers to form a molten metal trough within the structural beam. The hangers are spaced from each other and supported from the structural beam in such a way as to allow them to expand and contract relative to the structural beam without subjecting the structural beam to expansion and contraction. The walls of the refractory hangers are air-cooled to reduce heat transfer from the refractory hangers to the structural beam.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heated oven is used to heat a crucible to melt a sample and to simultaneously heat a casting dish into which the molten sample can be poured. The oven is cooled with the crucible and casting dish within the oven in order to prepare a sample bead for analysis. In another embodiment of the invention the sample is again melted in a crucible and after melting the crucible is moved out of the oven and turned to pour the molten sample into an acid solution positioned external to the oven. The crucible and sample can be moved while in the oven to mix the sample. The method of preparing an analytical sample using the electrical resistance heated oven is also disclosed.

Abstract: Molten metal is either poured or injected into the cavity of a permanent mold by way of a bush which comprises a metal sleeve, anchored to the mold itself, a first tubular element of ceramic material lodged internally of the sleeve, and a second tubular element, also ceramic, coaxial with the first. The stream of metal passes from a feeder into the inlet end of the bush, through the first and then the second ceramic element, and enters the cavity ultimately from an outlet end consisting of a metal annular element connected in a precise and effectively fluid-tight fit with the corresponding end of the second tubular element.

Abstract: A crucible (11) for use in a continuous casting process using upwards feed induced by gas pressure within a surrounding casing (10) consists of a monolithic or one-piece crucible body (28) of refractory material defining a melt chamber (29) having a charging opening (30) at one end and a melt outlet (31) at the opposite end, the melt outlet communicating with a die feed port (35) by way of ducts (32, 34) extending through the crucible body. The melt chamber and the ducts are formed in the body by machine-boring or drilling. The melt outlet (31) also communicates with a narrowed drain port (33B) near which are cooling probe recesses (38) for receiving cooling probes (44) to effect a drain plug of "frozen" melt. The plug is cleared to drain the crucible completely simply by withdrawing the cooling probes.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting and guiding a portable furnace to transfer molten material from the furnace to a die cast machine includes a platform which supports the furnace. The platform has wheels at one end and fixed legs at the other end. The wheels roll on rails secured to the floor which guide the platform to a predetermined position, and a stop locates the platform in the proper position. The furnace is placed on the platform when the platform is in an aisle adjacent the machine, and the platform is pushed into place by lifting the fixed legs and pushing the platform. After the operation of the machine, the furnace can be removed by pulling the platform into the aisle and lifting the furnace off of the platform. The furnace can then be moved to another platform to transfer molten material to another machine.

Abstract: An industrial robot for casting products by pouring molten metal in a ladle mounted on an arm thereof to successively conveyed molds, comprises a drive mechanism for driving the ladle to incline with respect to the mold, means for measuring a level of molten metal in the mold, means for detecting an inclination rate of the ladle and a central processing unit having a memory for storing an optimum level of molten metal in the mold and inclination rate of the ladle, the central processing unit being adapted to receive a level data from the measuring means and an inclination rate data from the detecting means, compare the data with the optimum level and inclination rate, calculate deviations of the data from the optimum level and inclination, and supply control signals to the drive mechaniam to control the latter optimally.

Abstract: A charge of melt in an amount sufficient to cast only one mold is admitted to a casting basin from a melt-holding chamber. A casting mold is immersed in the freshly admitted charge and the charge is countergravity cast into the mold by establishing a suitable differential pressure between the mold and the charge. After casting, insufficient charge is left in the casting basin to cast the next mold whereupon the casting basin is supplied with the next fresh charge of the melt for casting the next mold. In this way, a fresh charge of melt is cast into each mold in a series of molds. Each charge of melt may be treated (e.g. nodularized) in-situ in the casting basin such that each mold is filled with a freshly treated (nodularized) charge of melt having an effective concentration of the alloyant therein.

Abstract: Molten metals or alloys are poured into a stationary plate mold from at least one elongated pouring device such that melt overflows the length of the mold. The pouring energy is dissipated by flowing the elongated flow from one stationary device against an energy dissipating plate adjacent the pouring device in proximity to either one of the mold center lines such that the flow forms two balanced streams on the bottom of the mold. Alternatively, an elongated flow is poured from each of two stationary pouring devices positioned in opposing directions along the opposite sidewalls of the mold. Alternatively, the two pouring devices may move from one of the mold center lines towards the sidewalls while pouring molten metal. The pouring energy is dissipated by flowing two of the balanced streams formed on the bottom of the mold towards each other. The dissipation of pouring energy results in the substantial elimination of wave action and flash whereby castings with an even thickness are produced.

Abstract: The pivoting device for ladles used in continuous casting comprises at least one arm extended overhanging from a rotary barrel and comprised of a parallelogram-shaped deformable and articulated assembly comprising two supporting uprights connected to the barrel by parallel rods hinged to the uprights about upper and lower movable pins, and to the barrel (2) about upper and lower fixed pins. The uprights form an outer side movable vertically while remaining parallel to itself by deformation of the parallelogram under the action of at least one lifting jack. The articulations defining the movable pin of the upper rods are provided on a transverse frame extended horizontally and passing outside the ladle between the latter and the barrel, and the two supporting uprights are secured to the transverse frame and form with the latter a rigid fork-shaped seat wherein the ladle is nested.

Abstract: A pressurized tundish for controlling a continous flow of molten metal characterized by having a pair of principal compartments, one being essentially unpressurized and receiving molten metal introduced thereto, and the other being adapted for maintaining a controlled gaseous pressure over the surface of the fluid metal therein, whereby, by controlling the pressure within the pressurized chamber, metal exiting from the tundish is made to flow continually and at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A melt-holding vessel includes a melt-holding chamber defined by a bottom wall and upstanding side wall of refractory material. The side wall includes one or more insulating air pockets located in such a manner relative to the chamber as to substantially reduce heat loss from the melt in the chamber by conduction through the side wall.

Abstract: A system for filling billet moulds, especially with liquid aluminium, in which a flume (1) is situated fundamentally horizontally with a downwards spout at one end, with the liquid metal flowing along the said flume (1). The spout deposits the metal on a horizontally arranged V cross section bucket (17), with upward concave arms. The upper arm has an access hole (18) for metal towards the other arm, which finished in a horizontal end near the bottom of the billet mould. The buckets are situated on a rotating bucket (6) elevator and the flume tilts, as does the bucket elevator.

Abstract: Molten metal is poured from a melt container to a mold cavity defined by a molding material wherein the molding material in the region of the runner gate is of a higher density with respect to the rest of the molding material. A pouring lip protruding from the melt container seals in the region of the runner gate for delivering molten metal from the melt container to the mold cavity.

Abstract: A crucible for melting metals therein to form an active brazing alloy is made of slip cast silica with an yttria lining on the inside surface thereof.

Abstract: An improved tundish is disclosed, for use in combination with a casting ladle and a casting mold to continuously cast metal slabs. This tundish comprises an elongated, flat-bottomed basin known as a flotation box in between a pouring box with a vertical partition and an antivortex box. A first recess is provided in the bottom of the basin just under the partition to prevent any slag formed upstream of the partition from being entrained. The first recess also creates an upward stream rising from the bottom of the recess along the partition downstream the same, which allows optimal inclusion separation and substantial reduction of the dead volume zones in the basin downstream the partition. A second recess from which an outlet nozzle downwardly extends, is also provided in the bottom of the basin adjacent to the end of the flotation box. This second recess forms an antivortex volume above the outlet nozzle, thereby allowing substantial reduction of the metal left in the tundish on every casting sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement of an injection apparatus in a die casting machine of a horizontal injection type in which molten metal is poured into an injection sleeve mounted and held in a horizontal state with a fore end opening connected to an inlet of a die, and the poured molten metal is injected into the die by a piston motion of a plunger of an injection cylinder. A storage vessel capable of being sealed hermetically is attached to a pouring port formed in the injection sleeve and molten metal in a heat retaining furnace is supplied to the storage vessel periodically through a feed pipe, whereby the pouring into the injection sleeve is quickened to thereby increase the number of shots per hour despite the die casting machine having the injection apparatus of a horizontal injection type.

Abstract: Device to handle ladles in cooperation with the casting zone (45) in continuous casting, casting into ingot moulds or forms or mixed casting, such device providing independent, coaxial arms able to rotate by a continuous 360.degree. rotation and to support the ladle (14), such rotary arms (27) also handling the ladle (14) in a tapping station (43) in cooperation with a smelting furnace (11).

Abstract: A continuous casting tundish has a horizontal baffle intermediate its height. The baffle has a hole therethrough, to receive the downward flow of molten steel from the snorkel of a ladle, which flow educts steel through the hole and with it any desired additives such as alloying and/or refining agents. The space below the baffle is of lesser cross sectional area than the space above the baffle, and at least one end of the space below the baffle communicates with the space above the baffle, so that circulating flow of steel through the hole, below the baffle, and back over the baffle and again through the hole, is induced, that flow being turbulent below the baffle and laminar above the baffle. The tundish has the usual casting holes in its bottom.

Abstract: A sleeve formed of one or more parts of a size to fit closely around the depending shroud of a hot metal ladle through which the hot metal is delivered to a receptacle, such as a tundish, protects the shroud which is a tubular member formed of metal, ceramic or a composition including graphite or silica from the rapid erosion which occurs whenever the shroud is partially immersed in a pool of molten metal in the receptacle.

Abstract: For the preparation of dental prostheses, a casting device with a controllable casting valve on the melting crucible includes a bell, which bell can be raised and lowered and to which pressure and/or vacuum can be applied and in which several molds can be located; different operating sequences can be selected by means of an electrical control unit and, for instance independently of the casting process, pressure or vacuum can be applied to, for example, a model.

Abstract: A manually operated bullet casting machine comprising a mold assembly that is raised to a pouring position by means of a crank and filled from an overhead melting pot through the activation of a lever. The bullets are trimmed and ejected from the mold assembly as the crank is returned to its lowered position.

Abstract: Cold-hearth melt-spinning apparatus for adapted improved continuous casting of refractory and reactive alloys possesses (1) a cold crucible having a selectively grooved surface operative to reduce both melt "freezing" at the melt/crucible interface and input heating power requirements, and (2) a replaceable nozzle of a refractory material that is friction-fit in an aperture provided therefor in the crucible. The confronting nozzle/crucible walls define a thermally impeding interface which maintains the nozzle at a temperature sufficient to substantially eliminate melt "freezing" in and across the nozzle orifice. The melt is ejected as a molten jet from the crucible by pressure, rapidly quenched on a suitably configured spinning disk into either filaments or flakes, and passed to an environmentally protected processing compartment. Arc heating of the melt is provided by a water-cooled and selectively movable electrode.

Abstract: A melting and pressure casting device characterized in that it comprises a cylindrical electric heating means set in a closed chamber reducible and increasable in gas pressure, a vertically long crucible set in the heating means, a mold provided below the crucible and connected thereto, and an upper sprue communicating between the lower portion of the pouring cup and the sprue formed in the mold, wherein the melt for casting is held by its surface tension in the pouring cup and the melt thus held is poured under pressure by pressurizing the chamber into the mold through the upper sprue to thereby make a casting.

Abstract: A full automatic die casting machine including a fixed die, a movable die, a melting furnace and an injection cylinder. At least either one of the fixed die and the movable die is provided with a first recess for forming an article and second recess for forming an engageable portion on the article. The die casting machine further includes an article supporting device, a coating device for coating die lubricant on the first recess and the second recess, a finishing device, a packing device and a recycling device.

Abstract: A precision vacuum melting and casting furnace with a melting chamber containing a melting device. A casting chamber is positioned below the melting chamber. The casting chamber can be raised, lowered, and swung out to the side. The casting chamber communicates with the melting chamber through a valve chamber, which contains a vacuum valve. The valve chamber accommodates a lift platform for raising the mold up under the melting device. The casting chamber has a lifting mechanism, and the vacuum valve has an activating rod. In order to essentially simplify precise alignment of the different movable parts and to convert an existing conventional casting furnace into a furnace in accordance with the present invention, a hollow vertical shaft is attached to the valve chamber. The rod that activates the vacuum valve extends vacuum-tight through the shaft. A sleeve that guides the casting chamber is positioned at the outer surface of the shaft.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing amorphous metal ribbons by ejecting molten metal through a nozzle attached to a tundish onto a rapidly moving cooling body, the molten metal is suppled to the tundish by first pouring the molten metal from a ladle into an intermediate vessel and then by supplying the molten metal from the intermediate vessel to the tundish through a gas-lift pump. An apparatus for supplying molten metal to a tundish comprises an intermediate vessel adjacent to the tundish and a gas-lift pump to supply the molten metal from the intermediate vessel to the tundish. The molten metal is poured from a ladle into the intermediate vessel. The gas-lift pump has a pump proper that is placed over the intermediate vessel and tundish so that its inlet and outlet open in the intermediate vessel and tundish, respectively. Bubbles are suppled into the pump proper through its inlet.

Abstract: An elongated tundish for the continuous strand casting of molten metal has a plurality of outlet openings arranged in a row extending in the longitudinal direction of the tundish. There is an elongated dam extending in said longitudinal direction between the row of outlet openings and the location of impact, on the tundish bottom, of a ladle nozzle stream of molten metal. The dam provides uniform residence times in the tundish for molten metal exiting the tundish at inner and outer outlet openings in the row of openings. Fluid flow control structure is located between the dam and the tundish side wall adjacent the row of outlet openings to avoid a dead zone in that region.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a particular atmosphere above a predetermined portion of a train of closely spaced open top containers mounted on an endless conveyor chain, comprises a cover plate located at a predetermined distance above a number of such containers and extending before and after such predetermined portion. The cover plate has a predetermined number of ports therein for feeding a gas through the cover plate to progressively develop a particular atmosphere in the containers as they approach the predetermined portion of the endless conveyor and to maintain such atmosphere in the containers as they pass such predetermined portion.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame and a crucible having a central axis and a bottom. The crucible is supported and is moved so that the central axis of the crucible describes a substantially conical surface with an apex located substantially on the central axis and spaced from the bottom of the crucible by a distance equal to or less than the crucible height. The crucible is restrained against rotation about its own axis.

Abstract: For the purpose of pouring a stepwise advanced casting mould consisting of identical, flaskless mould parts having vertical joints at which there are provided inlets or chutes extending from the top surface of the mould to its casting cavities, use is made of a pouring tundish having a slitlike bottom outlet adapted to cover three or more inlets temporarily blocked by an obstruction. After an additive has been fed to the tundish this is being filled with the necessary amount of molten iron which prior to removal of the obstruction gets the opportunity of being merged uniformly with the additive, and possible slag products may at the same time rise to the surface. The pouring tundish may meanwhile be advanced one or more steps together with the casting mould while being in firm contact with its top face.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting parts comprising an open-faced mold which is displaced under a ladle. As the mold cavities, defined in the face of the mold, pass beneath the ladle, each is filled with molten material via a sprue in the bottom of the ladle. The ladle includes a venting conduit positioned within the sprue so that as the molten material empties into a mold cavity from the ladle, the air trapped within the mold cavity is vented through the sprue via the venting conduit.

Abstract: A crucible for use with a broken arm-type centrifugal casting machine includes an elongated base section and a top section which is generally in the shape of a half cylinder, a large portion of the top section being removed by a cavity which creates a crucible floor, left and right side walls and a generally funnel-shaped channel which extends to a front surface at the front end of the crucible to provide a discharge opening. The right side wall is always correspondingly higher than the left side wall and both the left side wall and the right side wall increase in height and slope over toward one another as they extend toward the front end of the crucible until they merge at a point on a head portion of the top section which is on the left side of the crucible. The crucible floor includes a portion which narrows in width as it extends toward the front end of the crucible and slopes downwardly from horizontal at an angle of between about 10.degree. and 20.degree.

Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting apparatus comprising a furnace having a bottom wall, side walls and a top wall. A holding block is supported within the furnace and has a vertical opening and a horizontal opening communicating with the vertical opening, the vertical opening extending upwardly. A crucible is mounted within the furnace and has a downwardly extending opening. A vertical adapter provides communication between the opening of the crucible and the vertical opening of the holding block. A side wall of the furnace has a horizontal opening. A horizontal adapter provides communication between the horizontal opening of the holding block and a die associated with the horizontal opening.

Abstract: This invention presents a rotary support for continuous casting ladles, which comprises a vertical column, a drive mechanism for pivoting this column about its vertical axis, a cross arm structure carried by this column and having at least one of its ends in the form of a horizontal fork, each of the two branches of which comprises means for carrying between them a casting ladle, means for raising and lowering the ladle independently of the cross arm, means for weighing the ladle, and means for stabilizing the ladle without influencing the measurement of the weight, the means for carrying the ladle and the means for raising and lowering it being composed, in each of the branches of the fork, of a ladle carrier carriage sliding vertically between a pair of rails under the action of at least one hydraulic jack.

Abstract: A gooseneck assembly (10) for hot chamber die-casting comprises a shot cylinder (12), an injection duct (16) leading from the bottom of the cylinder to a die (18), and a reservoir (20) which communicates with the shot cylinder through openings (22, 23 and 24) in a partition wall (21). The upper ends of the shot cylinder and reservoir are closed and a protective atmosphere is maintained above a level (6A) of molten metal in the assembly. The assembly is automatically recharged with molten metal from a separate crucible (3) through a syphon pipe (30).

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously casting strip material is disclosed comprising a tundish having an internal cavity for receiving and holding molten metal and an orifice passage through which the molten metal is delivered from the cavity to a casting surface located within about 0.120 inch of the orifice passage and movable past the orifice passage at a speed of from 200 to 10,000 linear surface feet per minute. The tundish has at least one molten metal resistant upper block and at least one molten metal resistant lower block vertically aligned and secured sufficiently to prevent molten metal in the cavity from passing through the interface of the secured blocks. The orifice passage has a substantially uniform width dimension, of at least about 0.010 inch, throughout the longitudinal extent thereof.

Abstract: A continuous casting revolving tower, with independent arms, of the type having a central support column against which lies a turret supported for rotation about a vertical axis, and a pair of arms, at the end of each of which is assembled a ladle, liftable and respectively lowerable within predetermined limits. Driving and sliding means to lift and lower the revolving turret with respect to the support column. Each of the two ladles is assembled in a vertically fixed position at a respective end of the arms which, though independently rotatable with respect to said turret, are integral with it in its vertical movement.

Abstract: A casting plant comprises a pressure ladle and a small-capacity tilting ladle to regulate the filling of molds making up a casting line and successively moving to a position beneath the tilting ladle. The control system comprises two servo loops. One servo loop includes sensors acting upon a motor to control the angular position of the tilting ladle so that the level of metal in the pouring gate of the mold remains constant during the pouring operation. During this time, an optical sensor, an angular-position sensor, and a pressure sensor included in the other servo loop supply input data which are processed to supply a signal acting upon a valve in a gas line feeding the pressure ladle. This valve regulates the flow of molten metal from the pressure ladle to the tilting ladle so that the quantity of metal contained in the tilting ladle remains substantially constant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mounting for a casting ladle for use in a steel strand casting plant where one or more ladles are cantilevered from a revolving turret atop a central support column. Each cantilevered ladle is set in the mounting of the invention which permits the monitoring of the ladle weight before and during casting.

Abstract: A heated ladle provides a reserve of molten metal. Vertical closing rods release desired quantities into pouring troughs. These are indexed into alignment with the mold casting orifices. The system includes a chassis movable parallel to the step-by-step movable casting line, a mobile cart carried by the chassis and also movable parallel to the line, and trough-bearing means movable perpendicularly to the line and also providing pivotal movement capability for the troughs. Reference marks on the molds or inter-mold spaces cooperate with position sensors to control the indexing. Redescent and resulting closing of the closing rods is automatic.