Abstract: A continuous casting device comprises, in combination, a continuous casting mold for receiving molten metal, and at least one pair of guide rolls disposed immediately downstream of the mold exit opening. The exit opening of the mold is rectangular shaped so as to permit a rectangular strand to be cast which has a liquid core, a width and a thickness. The guide rolls are constructed so as to impart to the rectangular strand leaving the mold exit opening a convex shape so as to prevent snaking of the strand within the continuous casting device. The convexivity concavity extends along at least a part of the width of the strand and is no more than 8% of the strand thickness.

Abstract: Molten metal is poured into a continuous casting mold having a rectangular mold exit opening to produce a rectangular metal strand having a liquid core, a width and a thickness. A convex shape is imparted to the rectangular strand along at least a part of the width thereof downstream of the casting mold by arranging a plurality of oppositely disposed guide rolls immediately downstream of the rectangular mold exit opening so that the cast strand while travelling from the mold exit opening through the plurality of guide rolls expands along at least part of its width no more than 8% of the strand thickness, thereby preventing snaking of the strand.

Abstract: A device for withdrawing a strand, especially a metal strand, from a continuous casting mold, includes drivable rollers that are located on opposite sides of the strand and are rotatably mounted on both sides in chocks. For adjustment to the strand cross-section, the rollers, with their chocks, can be moved toward and away from each other in a housing frame, and can be pressed against the strand surface in a force-operated or pressure-medium-operated fashion. Each chock of the first roller is connected via a tension member to a positioning device run in the guide of a clamping unit. Drives of the positioning unit are connected to chocks of the second roller to move the second roller toward or away from the first roller, the second roller being arranged between the positioning device and the first roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a turning passage for the feed and discharge of cooling water to a disturbing system (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) in a water-cooled guide roller (1) of a continuation casting system. In order to seal the bearing (10) of the guide roller (1) with respect to the fed and discharged cooling water and to protect the rigid coponents of the turning passage which assist in the feed and discharge of cooling water from mechanical loading by the guide roller (1), a seal is mounted in a cover plate (15) supported on the bracket (11) of the bearing (10) so that it is sealed by a bushing (18), can rotate and is axially dispaceable. A flexible, annular, flange-shaped membrane (21) made of plastic or rubber is arranged between this bushing (18) and a flange (20) fastened to the end surface of the bearing journal (9), and its inner and outer edges are vulcanized thereto.

Abstract: Twin-roll caster for continuously casting metal strip comprises a pair of parallel casting rolls (1) each provided with longitudinal cooling water passages (26) adjacent other casting surfaces 25 of the rolls. Passages (26) are interconnected in groups of three to form three pass zig-zag water flow channels for flow of water back and forth between the roll ends. The roll ends are notched to form outwardly facing shoulders (44) for engagement with casting pool confining plates (10). Cooling water flows to and from the passages (26) through radial passages (35, 36) in roll end walls (27, 28) in the vicinity of the shoulders (44).

Abstract: A roll support for use in transporting a support beam along a track having two opposed surfaces. Such roll support is particularly useful for transporting a support beam in a continuous block caster for casting metal. The invention can include mechanisms for adjusting the support beam on the roll support, devices for driving the support beam along the track and apparatus for meshing the roll support with the devices for driving.

Abstract: An improved guide segment assembly for a continuous casting machine includes a support frame and a guide segment that includes a bottom segment portion having a number of support rolls for engaging a bottom surface of a continuously cast strand, and a top segment having a number of guide rolls thereon for engaging a top surface of the strand. A force applicator is provided for urging the top and bottom segment portions toward one another against mechanical stops in order to provide support for the strand that is sufficient to counter ferrostatic pressure within the strand. A resilient mechanism is positioned between the support frame and the guide segment for permitting limited movement between the support frame and the guide segment during abnormal casting conditions. As a result of the resilient mechanism, both the support rolls and the guide rolls will be amply protected against overload conditions during abnormal conditions such as cold withdrawals.

Abstract: A casting roll (18) for a twin roll continuous caster comprises a roll body (19) made of a metal material having high rigidity and a sleeve (20) made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity for covering an outer periphery of the roll body (19). A plurality of load bearing members (23) with thicker width are provided peripherally on the outer periphery of the roll body (19), the load bearing members (23) being in contact with an inner periphery of the sleeve (20) and extending axially of the roll.

Abstract: A continuous casting having a mold for producing strands in the form of slabs, thin slabs, blooms, and billets which results in a central running of the strand in the entire strand guide and in highly reliable casting at casting speeds of up to 6m/min. As a result of the cambered, concave shape of the mold and entire strand guide, the strand is guided coaxially to the entire strand guide from the cast surface until the strand exits at the delivery end of the continuous casting machine so that sideways movement of the entire strand in the direction of one of the narrow sides (snaking) is suppressed.

Abstract: The device includes at least a mould (11) with a replaceable crystallizer (12), a downstream mould portion, a containing, guiding and cooling roller conveyor (14) and an extraction and straightening assembly (15). The extraction and straightening assembly (15) includes drawing rolls (16) with a flat portion (18) and with a longitudinally arranged circumferential outline portion (17) for round products, the lateral reciprocal position of the drawing rolls (16) in relation to the longitudinal axis of the mould (11) being able to be varied from a first position for the casting of round products (13a) to a second position for the casting of products with flat sides (13b).

Abstract: A billet guiding unit of a continuous casting plant for thin slabs includes guide rolls supported on oppositely located frames, wherein the frames are tensioned relative to each other against stop surfaces by means of tension rods. Hydraulic cylinders for extending or stretching the tension rods are mounted between corresponding stop surfaces of the frames. The distance between oppositely located rows of rolls of the frames are corrected by determining a lower deviation side of the slab by carrying out a continuous measurement of the thickness of the slab sides, by determining from the difference of the dimensions the required extension of the tension rods on the lower deviation side and by applying to the hydraulic cylinders the pressure required for the extension of the tension rods.

Abstract: A guide roll having means to expand or contract independent of its support bearings to prevent bearing failures when used under elevated temperature conditions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for cooling the external surface of rolls used in continuous casting of metal strip. According to the invention, the direction of cooling fluid flowing through the rolls is periodically reversed in order to reduce the thermal ovalization of the rolls.

Abstract: A casting roll (11) on which to cast molten metal comprises central shaft (12), an outer circumferential wall (14) fitted over cylindrical mandrel (15) and roll end walls (16). Longitudinal wall (14) is cooled by water passed through longitudinal passages (22) in that wall. The cooling water is passed to and from passages (22) through passages (23) in the central shaft, radial passages (24) in the end walls (16) and transition passages (25) interconnecting the radial passages with the longitudinal passages. In order to promote cooling of the end corners (31) of the roll, transition passages (25) extend in smoothly curved bends into regions of the roll disposed both radially and longitudinally outwardly from the intersection directions of the longitudinal passages (22) and radial passages (24) so as to provide for water flow close to the roll comers (31) without formation of stagnation pockets.

Abstract: Guide roller units are made movable back and forth in the direction of thickness of a slab, allowing slab lagging covers to be inserted to and withdrawn from gaps formed between the guide roller units and the slab. Depending on the casting speed, those ones of the guide roller units and the slab lagging covers which are in proper positions are replaced from one to the other for selective use so that the respective lengths of a cooling zone and a heat keeping zone are adjusted to control the cooling rate of the slab in a positive manner. The slab temperature can be kept at a value capable of carrying out rolling regardless of change in the casting speed depending on variations in the amount of molten steel supplied.

Abstract: The local thickness across the width of a cast sheet is regulated by controlling the crown of the work rolls in a twin roll continuous casting machine producing the sheet. The work roll crowns are controlled by providing differential cooling in a plurality of cooling subsystems along the length of the rolls. The work rolls contain inlet and outlet water plenums which are connected to peripheral cooling channels between a core and an outer shell of each roll. Water flow to the cooling subsystems is controlled by a movable sleeve within the outlet plenum. In a first position of the sleeve, water is permitted to flow through all areas of the work rolls providing an even heat removal. In a second position, a greater portion of water flows through cooling subsystems in the center portion of the work rolls resulting in increased removal of heat from the center area of the core, reducing the temperature in this area, and thus reducing the crown of the work roll.

Abstract: The device comprises an element for progressively taking charge of the strand, having at least one movable jaw which can move between a first, open position for introducing the tip of the strand and a second, closed position for centering the strand.

Abstract: The local thickness across the width of a cast sheet is regulated by controlling the crown of the work rolls in a twin roll continuous casting machine producing the sheet. The work roll crowns are controlled by providing differential cooling in a plurality of cooling subsystems along the length of the rolls. The work rolls contain inlet and outlet water plenums which are connected to peripheral cooling channels between a core and an outer shell of each roll. Water flow to the cooling subsystems is controlled by a movable sleeve within the outlet plenum. In a first position of the sleeve, water is permitted to flow through all areas of the work rolls providing an even heat removal. In a second position, a greater portion of water flows through cooling subsystems in the center portion of the work rolls resulting in increased removal of heat from the center area of the core, reducing the temperature in this area, and thus reducing the crown of the work roll.

Abstract: A casting wheel carries a rotating inner-radius mold wall along its rim and features a non-rotating mold segment incorporating the outer-radius mold wall, circumferentially oscillated about an external stationary support. The casting wheel includes circumferential guide tracks around the wheel periphery, along which cam guide rollers carrying the non-rotating segment act to maintain a closely controlled interface clearance between the inner and outer-radius mold wall edges throughout the rotation. The non-rotating mold segment may be constructed as a single box or multiple box segments hinged together for oscillation by a single oscillator, each segment incorporating its own guide roller system. Each box inside wall doubles as the mold envelope outside wall, against which water sprays may be directed from nozzles within the box enclosure, which is drained by gravity from an outlet proximate the lower end.

Abstract: There is disclosed a Z-cast steel strand withdrawal/straightening unit for a continuous casting machine which comprises a dummy bar press roller and a cast steel strand press roller which have different shapes, and are positioned at a drawing/unbending section in such a manner that they can be separately pressed and released, whereby the dummy bar press roller and the cast steel strand press roller are controlled to be pressed and released by a signal from a detector which detects the movement of a cast steel strand and a dummy bar so that even a deformed cast steel strand with different roller contact surface heights can be drawn and unbent, and a dummy bar can be drawn.

Abstract: In a continuous casting system, there is provided an apparatus and a method for controlling the forces exerted by the foot rollers on the continuous casting slab. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes a hinged foot roller assembly and a hydraulic cylinder for moving the assembly toward and away from the slab. A linear variable differential transformer signals the cylinder to move the assembly relative to the slab such contact between the foot rollers and the slab edge is maintained at a selected contact force.

Abstract: The device includes a series of fixed and mobile guide tables that guide and progressively bend the strand.

Abstract: The mold has movable sidewalls (13) to adjust the width of the slab and an enlarged casting chamber (11) extending along the length of the crystallizer of the mold (10). Located immediately downstream of the mold (10) are containing plates (24) and transverse rolls (18) defining a possible first assembly (19) of rolls, a second assembly (28) of rolls and a third assembly (29) of rolls. The casting chamber (11) has an enlargement provided by a central curve defined by a first equivalent radius R, the central curve at the inlet (16) of the casting chamber (11) being defined by the specific first equivalent radius R' and by a width L of at least 500 mm. with a value of the lateral half-enlargement A between 30 mm. and 90 mm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing strips, bars and wire rods comprises continuously supplying molten metal into an open-top endless casting groove on an annular mold that is rotated around a vertical shaft, cooling the molten metal in the casting groove from outside by forcibly cooling the annular mold, and continuously taking out the cast section from the casting groove at a point where a solidified shell has been formed throughout the entire circumference of the molten metal in the casting groove. A roll is provided upstream of the take-out point to depress the top surface of the cast section, thereby keeping the cast section in close contact with the surface of the casting groove. The cast section then slides diagonally upward over a surface inclined at an angle of 5 to 60 degrees that is provided on the exit side of the above roll in the casting groove.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the continuous casting of slabs and blooms which uses a soft-reduction line including a pair of movable rollers arranged in a plane perpendicular to slab movement and a mechanism for driving the rollers towards each other and an adjustable spindle for holding the rollers apart by a desired gap, the load on the spindle is reduced during the spindle adjustment process. This reduction in load may be temporary in which case, after the adjustment is complete and the new gap has been established, the spindle load is retuned to its pre-adjustment value. Alternatively, the spindle can operate in a reduced load condition permanently in which case the desired gap can be set continuously using the reduced-load spindle with only a small spindle adjustment force being necessary.

Abstract: Multiple pairs of pinch rolls are used to advance a rod product along a pathway following a continuously casting and rolling system. Each pinch roll pair exerts a force normal to the rod of less than the amount necessary to substantially degrade the yield strength characteristics of the finished rod. Multiple driven pinch roll pairs cooperate to advance the rod by compressive engagement and accomplish the work of one or two pairs of pinch rolls to minimize work hardening and/or plastic deformation, which can result in an increase in yield strength. Yield strength characteristics are thus improved while the continuous rod product is still advanced and guided at very high speed along a pathway from a horizontal to a vertical direction.

Abstract: A process for obtaining steel strip coils with characteristics of a cold-rolled product, directly in a hot-rolling line, comprises subsequently to steps of casting and thickness reduction at a temperature of more than 1100.degree. C. upon solidification, induction heating of the product and a further step of hot rolling, above point Ar.sub.3, a step of cooling and temperature control in a range of between 600.degree. and 250.degree. C., thus lower than said point Ar.sub.3, as well as one or more passes of cold-rolling in series, with final coiling of the obtained product. Also a preferred plant is described for putting into practice such a process.

Abstract: Foot rolls for continuous casting which consist of at least two successive layers of assemblies of rolls (13), each assembly of rolls (13) lying substantially on the same plane, the foot rolls (13) being positioned immediately downstream of an ingot mould and immediately upstream of a discharge conveyor (11), each assembly of rolls (13) defining a geometric figure conforming to the cross section of the ingot being formed, the rolls (13) containing a stationary, cooled supporting shaft (14) secured at its ends to vertical uprights (18), the rolls (13) being supported on bearings (15) keyed to their respective shafts (14), each shaft (14) being supported and positioned on the uprights (18) and containing a first inner conduit (21a) connected to first radial conduits (23a) opening out at one end of a cooling chamber (24) within the respective roll (13), the cooling chamber (24) cooperating at its other end with second radial conduits (23b) connected to a second inner conduit (21b), which opens out in a passage (

Abstract: In curved continuous casting facilities, a roller apron is fabricated with upper and lower web rolls supported by upper and lower movable frames respectively to support the upper and lower surfaces of a web portion of a beam blank, in which the upper web rolls also support the upper surface of a rectangular strand such as a bloom; rectangular-piece rolls supported by a fixed frame to support the lower surface of a rectangular casting strand; wherein the lower web rolls can be retracted when the rectangular strand such as the bloom is being cast, and the upper and lower web rolls support their corresponding surfaces of the web and concurrently the rectangular-strand rolls support both flange-end portions of the beam blank. Consequently, tension sides of the beam blank and the rectangular strand such as bloom are positively supported to prevent problems, such as bulging, which occur during casting.

Abstract: A billet mold scaffold includes a plurality of mold modules carried by a frame defined by a plurality of legs, each of which is separately attachable and removable relative to the modules. Each mold module contains a plurality of rollers, for example, four, which are adjustable to accommodate various billet diameters. The mold modules are virtually identical and are carried by a frame formed to a predetermined casting radius. The frame is predrilled such that the attachment of the modules by way of the predrilled holes to the frame will rather easily and quickly provide a mold scaffold formed to a predetermined casting radius without the need to adjust each roll horizontally, vertically or angularly as in the prior art. Moreover, during a breakout condition, the modules and each of the legs of the frame can be rather easily and quickly replaced in the field. Each leg of the frame is also used to carry the cooling water which eliminates the need for spray water piping as in existing mold scaffolds.

Abstract: The roll and roller has a core with a threaded on sleeve of differently radially high threads such that the crown or head of one thread reaches the bottom/foot of the thread groove way of the other, but not vice versa so that a spiral channel is established while the abutting foot/crown configuration is welded indirectly as a weld layer is deposited onto the outer surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A guide roll assembly associated with a continuous caster supports both faces of a dimensionably unstable metal strand at it solidifies and cools. A frame segment has a first frame member operatively connected with movable second frame member. The first frame member supports first guide rolls and stops. The second frame member supports second guide rolls and also rotatable cams. An anchor clamped with the stops, anchors the cams to the first frame member when a piston cylinder clamps the anchor against the first frame member to establish a nominal roll gap dimension. Motors rotate the cams to reposition the second frame member and the second guide rolls mounted on it and thereby adjust the nominal roll gap dimension. Frame segments can be oriented by camming to provide a taper line to contact both faces of a shrinking strand or to perform a soft reduction upon it.

Abstract: With known strand guides, the adjustment of different strand thicknesses involves cumbersome manipulations and the susceptibility to failures of the elements allowing for such adjustment. In order to eliminate such disadvantages, the framework parts of the strand guide rest one above the other by supports and counter supports equipped with supporting surfaces provided at different high levels and with counter supporting surfaces, respectively. In addition to the support and counter support, a rotary bushing having a helicoidal supporting surface is arranged in series to each support and counter support. An abutment allocated to one of the framework parts is supported on the rotary bushing.

Abstract: In a process and an apparatus for stably and continuously producing a solid-liquid metal mixture in which non-dendritic primary solid particles are dispersed into the remaining liquid matrix, molten metal is charged into a clearance between a wall member and a rotating agitator composed of a cylindrical drum having a horizontally rotational axis.

Abstract: A continuous casting plant for casting beam blanks to be used in rolling section steel. The continuous casting plant includes a cooled mold and a strand guide arrangement following the mold. The mold has two side walls which each define a web surface, two expanding surfaces and two parallel adjusting surfaces. End rolls are adjustably mounted between the adjusting surfaces. The expanding surfaces of the mold are inclined at an angle of 20.degree. to 45.degree. relative to the plane of the web surface. Guide rollers are arranged in alignment with and following the web surfaces, the expanding surfaces and the adjusting surfaces of the mold. The adjustable end rolls are provided with sections which project into the mold space. Guide elements are arranged following the end walls, the guide elements being adjustable in the same direction.

Abstract: A device is described for straightening a curved steel strand cast continuously by means of a casting wheel machine or a curved mold continuously casting machine. The strand is passed between straightening points with rolls, such as straightening, bending, guide, counter rolls and/or corresponding roll pairs, in accordance with a certain physical law, whereby at least two roll pairs applying bending moments to the strand are provided. The first roll pair is at the same time the roll pair located in the direction of travel of the strand directly downstream of the point of emergence of the strand from the casting machine or is formed by the casting wheel (of the curved mold) itself and a corresponding straightening roll. The second roll pair determines transition of the strand from a finite radius or curvature to a straight line (infinite radius of curvature) at the end of the bending zone. Between these two roll pairs other rolls can be located exclusively along the outside of the strand.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging guide rollers in a continuous caster has a frame with two laterally spaced sides extending generally transverse to a support. First, second, third and fourth arms are provided, and the first and second arms are operably associated with a first one of the sides and extend in opposite directions and are pivotal about a first axis. Third and fourth arms are operably associated with the other of the sides and extend in opposite directions, and are pivotal about a second axis coaxial with the first axis. Roll engaging elements are associated with a second end portion of each arm, and the second end portion of each arm is remote from the associated axis. First and second double acting cylinder and piston assemblies are provided. Each of the cylinder and piston assemblies is associated with one of the sides, and the pistons of each cylinder and piston assembly are operably associated with the associated arms for causing pivoting thereof about the associated axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous casting of slabs having a considerably larger width than thickness, particularly of steel slabs with a thickness below 80 mm, includes feeding the molten material to a mold from a casting vessel, the mold having a cross-section at its charge and power inside, deviating in the middle portion from the desired casting format by a large cross-section but matches the desired format near the edges. In order to obtain an objective for providing equipment for making steel slabs with thickness below 80 mm, without defects and with a high surface quality, its is suggested that, while maintaining the cross-sectional contour of the charge and pour-in end of the mold, over the entire mold length, the skin of the emerging casting in its middle portion is deformed by directly downstream arranged guide and support structure such that after passage through the deforming path the surfaces of the entire slab coincide with the initial edge zone surfaces.

Abstract: A modular slab caster or the like is provided having a flat foundation mat supporting a ladle turret module, a tundish module, a mold oscillator module, at least one adjustable segment module, a straightening module, a starting bar handling and charging module and a utility module, all on said foundation mat and rapidly connected and disconnected from one another to provide rapid installation of modules.

Abstract: The footroll assembly includes a plurality of rollers each of which is resiliently mounted within a frame member. The entire frame member is adjustable toward or away from the slab which is cast in the mold. The frame is rigidly but adjustably secured to the mold assembly.

Abstract: An improved process for continuously casting a strand of steel comprising the bending of the steel with at least one corrugated roll. The strand is preferably pushed between a corrugated roll and a smooth roll by gravity or drive rolls to impact only compressive stresses to the strand. A curved strand cast with a curved mold can be straightened between two corrugated rolls having different surface corrugations to impart compressive stresses.

Abstract: A modular slab caster or the like is provided having a flat foundation mat supporting a ladle turret module, a tundish module, a mold oscillator module, at least one adjustable segment module, a straightening module, a starting bar handling and charging module and a utility module, all on said foundation mat and rapidly connected and disconnected from one another to provide rapid installation of modules.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for discontinuous withdrawing of a cast strand from a continuous casting mold. A drive roller frame is rotatably supported by a pedestal fixed as to spacial position. At least two drive rollers are rotatably supported by the drive roller frame and are disposed to press against the strand from opposite sides. A drive is connected to the drive rollers for driving the drive rollers. A reciprocating drive is connected to the drive roller frame for providing an oscillating pendulum motion to the drive roller frame around an axis supported by the pedestal.

Abstract: This invention relates to an extractor/straightener device for continuous metal casting installations, particularly for curved continuous casting. In order to cast either round-section strands and square-, rectangular- or polygonal-section strands, the extractor/straightener device (10) comprises two successive pairs of extractor rollers, one pair including rollers (11, 12) with a groove or race therein (15) for round-section strands (7'), the other pair including cylindrical rollers (13, 14) for square-section strands (7"). The two pairs of extractor rollers (11, 12 and 13, 14) are followed by a straightener roller (31). Means are provided to regulate the distance between the rollers (11, 12 and 13, 14) of each pair of extractor rollers so as to exert a tractive action on the strand (7' or 7"), alternately, by means of either the former or the latter pair of said rollers (11, 12 or 13, 14) depending upon the profile of said strand.

Abstract: A discharging device for a continuous caster has two three-phase motors as its drive member. For the discharging process, these three-phase motors selectively charge the drive mechanism of the drive shaft for the drive rollers in opposite directions. The three-phase motors are selectively connected with the drive mechanism via separate electromagnetic couplings and thus produce the forward and reverse movement of the casting profile. Simple additional devices permit fully automatic operation.

Abstract: A top roller apron in a continuous casting assembly, including a back face side frame, an inside face side frame, and a pair of narrow-face frames positioned on both sides of the side frames, a plurality of rolls mounted side by side to each of the side frames, wherein the back face side and inside face side frames each include unit roll frames, the unit roll frames being arranged in series in a casting direction and each supporting an single roll and wherein opposite end portions of each said roll frame are removably attached to side walls of the paired narrow-face frames.

Abstract: This invention concerns a billet launching device in continuous casting machines of the type employed to withdraw and pull the billet from the ingot mould along the casting line, whereby the device comprises, near the outlet of the ingot mould, gripping means cooperating at least momentarily with a launching element able to engage and pull the billet at least momentarily, and whereby the launching element is inserted momentarily into the ingot mould and engages the billet.

Abstract: A strand guide for a continuous casting plant includes rollers supporting and guiding the strand. Each roller has a cavity through which a coolant flows and which is connected with a coolant supply duct and a coolant discharge duct. The coolant discharge duct is aligned in duct-like manner with at least one tuyere or a set of tuyeres of an external cooling device. In order to combine the advantages of an external cooling device with the advantages of an internal cooling of the rollers, the external cooling device includes tuyeres or sets of tuyeres arranged between the rollers. Each tuyere or set of tuyeres is arranged adjacent the roller end that includes the coolant discharge duct. The jet direction of the tuyere or tuyeres of the set of tuyeres is directed opposite to the flow direction of the coolant through the roller.

Abstract: A vertical slab mold has a pair of spaced wide walls, and a pair of spaced narrow walls which are located between the wide walls. The narrow walls are movable towards and away from one another for the purpose of performing width changes during casting. Drives for remote adjustment of the narrow walls during casting are connected with the narrow walls. A support for the narrow face of a slab is mounted immediately below each of the narrow walls and constitutes a downward extension of the respective narrow wall. The upper end of each support is articulated to the bottom of the associated narrow wall so that the support pivots relative to the narrow wall towards and away from the other support. A biasing element acts on the lower end of each support to urge the latter towards the other support and, hence against an adjacent narrow face of a slab. The biasing elements are designed to permit the supports to follow changes in the contours and/or positions of the narrow faces of the slab.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus has a plurality of non-magnetic rollers which contact a side of a continuously cast traveling strand. To support each roller against bending, the roller is journaled at its opposite ends and also at least at one interposed position between its ends to define roller lengths between each two of the bearings. Inductive stirrers providing traveling magnetic flux fields extending for the full extent of each length in each instance, are positioned on the outside of such roller length so as to project flux fields without interruption through the roller between its journaled ends and the interposed journaling position. Uniform uninterrupted fields are provided regardless of the strand's width.