Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles such as plates, shates, slabs, sheet plates or the like. A method for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles can include continuously casting an aluminum alloy article and hot or warm rolling the aluminum alloy article. Also provided herein is a continuous casting system for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles. The disclosed thick gauge aluminum alloy articles can be provided in any suitable temper.

Abstract: A method for measurement of the casting level in a mould incudes the steps of: a) impressing a temporal current profile into a transmitting coil that is arranged at the mould, during a measuring time interval; b) measuring a temporal signal profile resulting in a receiving coil during the measuring time interval, wherein the receiving coil is coupled inductively to the transmitting coil; c) selecting a time window within the measuring time interval, and d) evaluating the measured temporal signal profile within the selected time window to determine the casting level.

Abstract: A device for casting electrode carriers for the production of lead grid electrodes in a continuous casting process is provided, which includes a casting drum, the surface of which has been engraved with the shape of the lead strip to be cast, and a casting shoe which rests on the outer circumference of the casting drum in the region of the horizontal axis drawn through the axis of rotation when the casting drum rotates counterclockwise, whereat the exiting liquid lead flows into the concave mold of the casting drum surface and is removable as a solidified lead strip at the lower vertex of the casting drum after three quarters of a rotation and whereat draft angles of less than 7 degrees, in particular less than 3 degrees are provided.

Abstract: A steelmaking-and-continuous-casting dispatching method and apparatus based on a distributed robust chance-constraint model. The method includes: according to parameters, an objective function and a constraint condition in steelmaking-and-continuous-casting dispatching, establishing the distributed robust chance-constraint model; by using a dual-approximation method or a linear-programming-approximation method, solving the distributed robust chance-constraint model, to obtain processing starting durations of cast batches in conticasters and processing starting durations of furnace batches in machines other than the conticasters; and by using a solved result of the distributed robust chance-constraint model as an evaluation criterion, by using a tabu-search algorithm, determining a furnace-batch sequence and a distribution theme in the steelmaking-and-continuous-casting dispatching.

Abstract: This thin strip manufacture method is a thin strip manufacture method for manufacturing a thin strip by supplying molten steel to a molten steel pool formed by a pair of rotating cooling drums and a pair of side weirs to form and grow a solidified shell on a peripheral surface of the cooling drums, wherein a pressing force P of the pair of the cooling drums is set so that the pressing force P (kgf/mm) of the pair of cooling drums, casting thickness D (mm), and radius R (m) of the cooling drums satisfy 0.90?P×(D×R)0.5?1.30.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously casting thin strip has a pair of internally cooled counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces, the pair of casting rolls laterally positioned to form a gap at a nip between the casting rolls through which a thin metal strip can be cast, where the casting surface of each casting roll has a roll profile extending in an axial direction of the corresponding casting roll; a metal delivery system adapted to deliver molten metal above the nip to form a casting pool; and a temperature altering source external to the casting roll and having one or more zones configured to alter the casting roll profile of at least one of the pair of casting rolls by locally heating or cooling the casting roll.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a transfer equipment, an aluminum liquid transfer system and an aluminum liquid transfer method. An exemplary transfer equipment comprises a rail platform; a pushing device; a rotating device; wherein the two ends of the rail platforms are adapted to interface with a rail-type transfer trolley running on the casting line, so that the molten liquid container can be transferred from a rail-type transfer trolley on one casting line to one end of the rail platform, and from the other end of the rail platform to a rail-type transfer trolley on the adjacent other casting line, and the turnplate of the rotating device is adapted to interface with the transfer rail on the rail platform, so that the molten liquid container can be transferred from the transfer rail to the turnplate, and to the transfer rail after the orientation has been changed by rotation on the turnplate.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of making steel with low carbon content which includes preparing a heat of molten steel composition in a steelmaking furnace to a tapping temperature ranging from 2912 to 3060 degrees F. and tapping into a ladle the molten steel composition having an oxygen level is about 700 to 1000 ppm. The molten steel composition is then transported to a ladle metallurgy furnace, where the molten steel composition is further heated and one or more elements are added to the molten steel composition. The molten steel composition is then transported from the ladle metallurgy furnace to a vacuum tank degasser. The molten steel composition is then decarburized and one or more elements are added to the molten steel composition at the vacuum tank degasser for deoxidization and desulphurization. The molten steel composition is then transported to a ladle metallurgy furnace to further adjust chemistry and temperature.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy cast-rolling unit, including: a main body; a fluid supplier; an electric pushrod; a linkage mechanism; a horizontal platform; a screw; dovetail guide rails; and a bottom plate. The main body includes a base, a spring cylinder, a hydraulic adjustment cylinder, a connection portion, and a cast-rolling unit body. The connection portion includes an arc-shaped rail. The spring cylinder includes an actuation element. The actuation element includes a piston rod and a pressure strip. The piston rod includes an external thread at one end; and the pressure strip includes an internal thread corresponding to the external thread. The fluid supplier includes a head box, a corrugated pipe, a compression spring assembly including a gland cover, a connection pipe including a convex pipe joint and a concave pipe joint, a flat plate including a groove, a smelting furnace, and a horizontal operation platform.

Abstract: Air filter cartridges are disclosed. Also described are air cleaners including the filter cartridges. Methods of assembly and use are also provided. Also, systems of use are described.

Abstract: A monitoring device (6) records variables that are characteristic of operating parameters of a continuous casting mold (1) for casting a metal strand (2). The monitoring device (6) records at least some of the characteristic variables by independently performing measurements during the casting of the metal strand (2). The monitoring device (6) forms groups (G1, G2) of operating parameters and independently tests whether the operating parameters of the respective group (G1, G2) satisfy a respective predetermined stability criterion. The monitoring device (6) accepts the operating parameters into a database (12). The monitoring device (6) determines those data records (11) contained in the database (12) that coincide in their input variables with the basic operating parameters and determines admissible operating parameter ranges for supplementary operating parameters.

Abstract: An electron beam melting furnace includes a hearth, a mold, an electron gun for keeping metal as a molten state, an electron beam controller for controlling direction of the electron beam, an image sensor for molten metal, and an operating device. A method for operating the furnace includes a step of inputting electron beam emitting coordinates in the electron beam controller, a step of emitting the electron beam, a step of detecting a high electron beam intensity spot by the image sensor, a step of calculating coordinates of high electron beam intensity based on the detected signal by the operating device, a step of calculating differences between the coordinates of emission and the coordinates of high electron beam intensity spot, a step of inputting the difference in the electron beam controller, and a step of controlling the location of electron beam spot.

Abstract: A control device for a rolling plant, which is capable of reducing the pouring amount of cooling water by pouring cooling water at timing of high cooling efficiency when a material being rolled is cooled, and thereby being capable of saving the energy consumption. The control device includes a plurality of rolling stands that are arranged in tandem on a rolling line to roll the material being rolled of a metallic material conveyed on the rolling line, and inter-stand cooling systems that are provided between the plurality of rolling stands to pour cooling water onto the conveyed material being rolled. The inter-stand cooling systems are configured so that the pouring amount of cooling water poured from the inter-stand cooling system positioned on the upstream side on the rolling line is larger, and the pouring amount of cooling water poured from the inter-stand cooling system positioned on the downstream side is smaller.

Abstract: The apparatus for preventing damage to casting rolls includes: a roll pressing force detection unit measuring a roll pressing force applied to the casting rolls; a foreign object determination unit determining whether foreign objects have been introduced to the casting rolls based on the measured roll pressing force; a roll gap instruction value generation unit generating a roll gap instruction value by adding a preset roll gap amount to the set roll gap if it is determined that foreign objects have been introduced to the casting rolls; and a roll gap control unit controlling a roll gap between the casting rolls based on the roll gap instruction value. Therefore, surfaces of the casting rolls may be less damaged by foreign objects.

Abstract: There is provided an aluminum alloy casting consisting essentially of 7.0 to 11.5 mass % of Si, 0.9 to 4.0 mass % of Mg, 0.1 to 0.65 mass % of Fe, 0.1 to 0.8 mass % of Mn and the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, or consisting essentially of 7.0 to 11.5 mass % of Si, 0.9 to 4.0 mass % of Mg, 0.1 to 0.65 mass % of Fe, 0.1 to 0.8 mass % of Mn, 0.3 to 1.0 mass % of Cu and the balance being Al and unavoidable impurities, and containing eutectic Si grains having an aspect ratio of 2.0 or smaller and an average grain size of 1.0 micrometer or smaller. There is also provided an automotive part formed with the aluminum alloy casting and a production method of the aluminum alloy casting.

Abstract: There is provided a strip casting method using a twin roll strip casting process in which molten steel is supplied through an injection nozzle to a region between twin rolls rotating in opposite directions to produce a strip having a predetermined thickness and a high degree of edge quality. The twin roll strip casting method includes: performing the casting process by setting a casting thickness to have a minimal value during an early stage of the casting process in which edge bulging occurs; and performing the casting process by increasing the casting thickness to a maximum value after the molten steel reaches a pre-set target temperature as the casting process proceeds.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlling a molten metal surface in a mold that are effective to various disturbances are provided. The method and the apparatus for controlling a molten metal surface level in a mold according to the present invention perform the following operations of: measuring the molten metal surface level in the mold of a continuous-casting machine; changing a reference position of oscillation of the mold based on the difference between a molten metal surface setting value set in advance as a desired value of the molten metal surface and a measured value of the molten metal surface level; and making the reference position of oscillation follow molten metal surface fluctuations.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting metal strip having the steps of assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls, assembling a metal delivery system adapted to deliver molten metal above the nip to form a casting pool, the casting pool forming a meniscus with each casting surface of the casting rolls, delivering a shell thickness controlling gas to select areas within 300 mm of end portions of at least one casting roll downwardly toward the meniscus between the casting pool and the casting surface adapted to control thickness of the metal shell, and control attenuation of the casting roll, and sensing the temperature and thickness profiles of the cast strip downstream from the nip to determine high or low temperature areas of the cast strip within 300 mm of the end portions and causing the gas to be delivered to the high or low temperature areas to change the thickness of the metal shell.

Abstract: An arrangement for a continuous casting process. The arrangement includes a vessel having a first opening for receiving molten metal in the vessel, a second opening for discharging the molten metal from the vessel, and a body extending between the first opening and the second opening, a first magnetic arrangement attached to the body, the first magnetic arrangement having a magnetic core with legs, and coils arranged around the legs, and a power system configured to provide an alternating current superimposed on a carrier current to each of the coils, each pair of alternating current and carrier current provided to a coil forming a flow control current, wherein flow control currents provided to adjacent coils are phase shifted relative each other, thereby creating a travelling magnetic field in molten metal in the vessel. A corresponding method is also presented herein.

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: Maintaining the shell surface temperature profile under transient conditions by spray water cooling in continuous casting of steel is often desired to reduce occurrence of surface cracks. For this purpose, a real-time spray-cooling control system is provided that includes one or more of: a virtual sensor for accurate estimation/prediction of shell surface temperature, control algorithm and data checking subroutines for robust temperature control, server and client programs for communicating between these software components and the caster, and a real-time monitor to display the predicted shell surface temperature profiles, water flow rates, and operating data, among other things.

Abstract: An apparatus used with an external laser apparatus for generating extreme ultraviolet light includes a target storage unit for storing a target material, a nozzle unit having a through-hole in communication with the interior of the storage unit through which the target material is outputted, an electrode having a through-hole facing the nozzle unit, and a target detector for detecting a target formed of the target material and outputting a detection signal. A direct current voltage adjuster applies and adjusts a direct current between the target material and the electrode, a pressure adjuster applies and adjusts a pressure to the target material through gas, and a controller controls at least one of the direct current voltage adjuster and the pressure adjuster based on the detection signal from the target detector.

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 method allows microalloyed tubular steel to be produced economically, with operational reliability and with high quality.

Abstract: Maintaining the shell surface temperature profile under transient conditions by spray water cooling in continuous casting of steel is often desired to reduce occurrence of surface cracks. For this purpose, a real-time spray-cooling control system is provided that includes one or more of: a virtual sensor for accurate estimation/prediction of shell surface temperature, control algorithm and data checking subroutines for robust temperature control, server and client programs for communicating between these software components and the caster, and a real-time monitor to display the predicted shell surface temperature profiles, water flow rates, and operating data, among other things.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting thin strip dynamically controlling roll casting surface configuration by controlling the temperature of water flowing through the longitudinal water flow passages in a cylindrical tube thickness of no more than 80 millimeters of counter rotated casting rolls, and varying the speed of the casting rolls with attenuation of the ends of the casting rolls with a casting roll drive system responsive to electrical signals received from sensors during a casting campaign.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting thin strip dynamically controlling roll casting surface configuation by controlling the temperature of water flowing through the longitudinal water flow passages in a cyclindrical tube thickness of no more than 80 millimeters of counter rotated casting rolls, and varying the speed of the casting rolls with attenuation of the ends of the casting rolls with a casting roll drive system responsive to electrical signals received from sensors during a casting campaign.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for positioning at least one of two casting rolls in a continuous casting process for producing a metal strip. The device and the method allow adjusting or modifying the casting gap between the casting rolls during the ongoing operation, thereby having an influence on the strip thickness and the strip profile of the produced metal strip.

Abstract: A method for the detection and classification of surface defects on continuously cast products using topographical information about the appearance of continuously cast surface defects and/or flaws are determined with respect to their exact position, evaluated with respect to their location and dimensions, and eliminated in accordance with the evaluation prior to further machining of the product, or are prevented by optimizing the process. The defects and/or flaws on the slab surface of the continuously cast preliminary product are detected and are stored with respect to their exact position and a detection of defects and/or flaws on the finished product is carried out and stored with respect to their exact position, and in that the information from the preliminary product is then compared with the information from the surface inspection on the finished product.

Abstract: A casting furnace for manufacturing a metal casting comprises an interior chamber and a secondary chamber through which the metal casting passes from the interior chamber into external atmosphere. A seal along the secondary chamber surrounds and seals against the metal casting to separate the interior chamber from the external atmosphere in a manner which allows for an extended period of continuous casting. A force producing mechanism may force the seal against the metal casting. Multiple seals may be used sequentially to increase the duration of the sealing capability and the continuous casting process. Inert gas sensors may detect loss of inert gas from the interior chamber.

Abstract: A combined continuous casting and rolling system, a control device for such system, and a method for producing rolling stock, e.g., metal strip, using such system are disclosed. The combined continuous casting and rolling system may include a casting device for casting metal and a roll train having at least one roll stand for hot forming the rolling stock, wherein the system is operated such that the rolling stock extends continuously between the casting device and the roll train, wherein rolling stock is continually supplied to the roll train, and wherein a predetermined target thickness progression for the rolling stock is predetermined. Because the thickness progression has at least two different target thicknesses for different sections in the longitudinal direction of the rolling stock and the thickness progression is designed such that particular target thicknesses are set at least twice, longitudinally profiled rolling stock may be produced relatively inexpensively.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting metal strip having the steps of assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls, assembling a metal delivery system adapted to deliver molten metal above the nip to form a casting pool, the casting pool forming a meniscus with each casting surface of the casting rolls, delivering a shell thickness controlling gas to select areas within 300 mm of end portions of at least one casting roll downwardly toward the meniscus between the casting pool and the casting surface adapted to control thickness of the metal shell, and control attenuation of the casting roll, and sensing the temperature and thickness profiles of the cast strip downstream from the nip to determine high or low temperature areas of the cast strip within 300 mm of the end portions and causing the gas to be delivered to the high or low temperature areas to change the thickness of the metal shell.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention provides a method of direct chill casting a composite metal ingot. The method involves sequentially casting two or more metal layers to form a composite ingot by supplying streams of molten metal to two or more casting chambers within a casting mold of a direct chill casting apparatus. Inlet temperatures of one or more of the streams of molten metal are monitored at a position adjacent to an inlet of a casting chamber fed with the stream, and the inlet temperatures are compared with a predetermined set temperature for the stream to determine if there is any difference. A casting variable that affects molten metal temperatures entering or within the casting chambers (e.g. casting speed) is then adjusted by an amount based on the difference of the compared temperatures to eliminate adverse casting effects caused by the difference of the inlet temperature and the set temperature.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the consumption of mold flux in a continuous casting apparatus including a transfer apparatus for transferring mold flux from a bulk source to an intermediate hopper; a feed control apparatus for controlling the transfer of mold flux from the transfer apparatus to the intermediate hopper, the feed control apparatus including at least one load cell for weighing the intermediate hopper and the mold flux within the intermediate hopper over a period of time, the feed control apparatus further including a controller receiving input from the at least one load cell and for controlling the operation of the transfer apparatus based on the input; and a delivery apparatus for receiving mold flux from the intermediate hopper and delivering the mold flux to a mold, the delivery apparatus pneumatically feeding the mold flux to the mold.

Abstract: A continuous casting mold with a bleedout detection system is disclosed, which may include a casting mold framework, a molten metal casting mold with a mold inlet and a mold outlet, the mold outlet having a mold cavity perimeter; and a bleedout detection system which may include: a signal generator that provides a balanced current to a sensor/conductor at or near the mold outlet perimeter; a current detector electrically connected to the sensor/conductor; and a programmable controller configured to receive an electrical signal from the bleedout detection system regarding the status of the sensor/conductor.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a steel strip (1) including a) providing a functional relationship in a machine controller (8) between a slab casting speed (v) or the mass flow as a product of casting speed and strip thickness or as a product of strip speed and strip thickness and the strip temperature (t) downstream of the last rolling stand (7) for a different number (n) of active rolling stands (7) and different final thicknesses, b) determining or specifying the casting speed (v) or the mass flow (v×H) and feeding the determined value into the machine controller (8), and c) determining the optimum number of active rolling stands (7) and the final thicknesses and thickness reductions which can be rolled with them in the rolling train using the functional profiles.

Abstract: A method of controlling the formation of crocodile skin surface roughness on thin cast strip by forming a casting pool of molten metal of less than 0.065% carbon supported on casting surfaces above a nip, assembling a rotating brush to contact the casting surfaces in advance of contact with the molten metal, and controlling the energy exerted by rotating brushes against the casting surfaces of the casting rolls to clean and expose a majority of the projections of the casting surfaces of the casting rolls by providing wetting contact with the molten metal of the casting pool. The cleaning step is controlled by controlling the energy of the rotating brush against the casting rolls based on the difference between the detected light reflected from the casting surfaces and the light reflected when the casting surfaces are clean, and automating the method.

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 method for continuous and efficient casting roll of magnesium alloy plates including providing plural induction furnaces, resistance furnace, casting roll and rollers; adding metal elements into the induction furnaces, the metal elements comprising Mg ingots or Mg alloy, the metal elements being smelted in the induction furnaces and then flow into the resistance furnace; controlling temperature of the Mg melt in the resistance furnace, wherein there are at least two temperature controlling areas communicated with each other, and a difference of temperatures is constant; transferring the Mg melt into biting area through a transferring pipe and modeling the mg melt into Mg plate, the temperature of the Mg melt into the biting area being 690±10° C.; Rolling the Mg plate in the rollers and each band of the rollers having a working temperature 250˜350° C., and the difference of temperature is ±10° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting surface quality of a thin slab hot rolled coil. The method includes calculating the Cu equivalent (Cu eq.) of molten steel, applying the calculated Cu equivalent of the molten steel into an equation: 120×(Cu equivalent)2?6×(Cu equivalent) to calculate a surface crack index, and predicting the generation of surface defect of the thin slab hot rolled coil by the surface crack index. A method of producing the thin slab hot rolled coil using the same is also provided. The surface crack defect of the thin slab hot rolled coil can be predicted by calculating the Cu equivalent of the molten steel, and thus a thin slab which meets the quality standard demanded by a consumer can be provided, and this results in increased productivity and product reliability.

Abstract: A method for continuous and efficient casting roll of magnesium alloy plates including providing plural induction furnaces, resistance furnace, casting roll and rollers; adding metal elements into the induction furnaces, the metal elements comprising Mg ingots or Mg alloy, the metal elements being smelted in the induction furnaces and then flow into the resistance furnace; controlling temperature of the Mg melt in the resistance furnace, wherein there are at least two temperature controlling areas communicated with each other, and a difference of temperatures is constant; transferring the Mg melt into biting area through a transferring pipe and modeling the mg melt into Mg plate, the temperature of the Mg melt into the biting area being 690±10° C.; Rolling the Mg plate in the rollers and each band of the rollers having a working temperature 250˜350° C., and the difference of temperature is ±10° C.

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 of making steel comprising assembling a steelmaking furnace, a thin strip caster, and a mold caster, inputting to a computer data on demand for production output, raw materials, furnace availability and capacity, sequence schedules and through-put, capacities and variability, forecasting by processing by computer from the inputted data a production schedule for the steelmaking furnace, and sequence schedules for the thin strip and the mold casters as a function of molten metal availability, the thin strip and mold caster sequence schedules and through-put, and demand for production output, directing production of molten metal alternatively to the delivery systems of the thin strip caster and mold caster responsive to said forecasting, and varying during casting the rate of metal delivery through the delivery system of the thin strip caster responsive to molten metal availability and the mold caster through-put.

Abstract: When aluminum alloy billet obtained by continuously casting molten aluminum alloy in the shape of rod is cut into a predetermined length by means of a cutting device, and then the aluminum alloy billet thus cut is loaded into a product carrier container with an identification mark that has been made, the casting condition and inspection results of the aluminum alloy billet are stored in the storage unit of a production control device in association with the identification mark so as to stabilize the quality and production of the aluminum alloy billet used for machining materials.

Abstract: A measuring system for measuring the strand condition of a continuous casting machine, the system comprising a plate member mounted on a caster chain (10) in use, the plate member (12) having an edge (14) that protrudes outwardly from one surface (13) of the caster chain (10); a pivotally mounted arm (16) capable of protruding outwardly from the opposing surface (17) of the caster chain (10); and means to determine the distance between the tip (18) of the arm (16) and the plate edge (14) at any given interval during use.

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 method of making steel comprising assembling a steelmaking furnace, a thin strip caster, and a mold caster, inputting to a computer data on demand and customer requirements for production output, raw materials, furnace availability and capacity, ladle treatment for casting, sequence schedules and through-put, capacities and variability, forecasting by processing by computer from the inputted data a production schedule for the steelmaking furnace and ladle treatment, and sequence schedules for the thin strip and the mold casters as a function of molten metal availability, the thin strip and mold caster sequence schedules and through-put, and demand for production output, directing production of molten metal alternatively to the delivery systems of the thin strip caster and mold caster responsive to said forecasting, and varying during casting the rate of metal delivery through the delivery system of the thin strip caster responsive to molten metal availability and the mold caster through-put.

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 method for adjusting a roll segment of a strand guide of a slab-casting installation against a strand, wherein the roll segment has an upper and a lower roll support that each have an adjusting element for adjusting the two roll supports relative to each other. The method includes individual control of the individual adjusting elements, wherein the actual profile of the strand, including the heights of the right and left lateral edges of the strand, is detected and compared with a set profile that includes a predetermined set height, which is the same for the right and left lateral edges, and the individual adjusting elements of the roll segment are individually controlled based on the control deviation that results from the comparison so that the actual profile is adapted to the set profile, including equalization of the heights of the right and left lateral edges of the strand.