Abstract: A method of and a device for determining the position of the solidification point (1a) in a strand (1) during continuous casting of liquid metals, in particular of steel, lead to precise results, while an indirect measurement of a movable amount of a core liquid volume per unit of length is carried out by direct measurement of generated process parameters by force and/or path signals on fixed or adjustable individual support rollers or groups of fixed or adjustable support roller pairs, and based on the measurement values, a calculation model for a momentary position of the solidification point (1a) is produced, based on which, changeable casting parameters are continuously adjusted.

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 for detecting a crater end of a continuously cast product, including installing an ultrasonic shear wave sensor for transmitting an ultrasonic shear wave to the continuously cast product and receiving the transmitted ultrasonic shear wave in a continuous casting machine, detecting based on variations of an ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic shear wave sensor that the crater end of the cast product is matched with the installed position of the ultrasonic shear wave sensor, calibrating a physical property value used in a calculation based on a heat condition equation such that the crater end computed based on the heat condition equation using casting conditions at that time is matched with the installed position of the ultrasonic shear wave sensor, and after the calibration, determining the crater end by the calculation based on the heat condition equation under respective casting conditions by using the calibrated physical property value.

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 for operating a two-roll casting machine for casting molten metal into cast strip, which machine has two casting rolls which are each rotatively driven in opposite directions about an axis of rotation and between them delimit a casting gap on its longitudinal sides, with side plates that can be placed on the casting rolls, which side plates seal the casting gap on its narrow sides in the casting operation, bridging the casting gap with a refractory material, wherein the side plates are moved during the casting operation in a direction which is aligned parallel to the direction of conveying in which the cast strip leaves the casting gap. With such a method the formation of grooves distorting the casting result and the casting operation can be suppressed with increased certainty and the service life of the side plates can be increased, compared to the prior art.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for controlling the edge shape of a strip in a twin-roll strip casting process, which improve the quality of the strip by using cameras to photograph the edge portions of the strip being cast by strip casting, analyzing the photographs, and then controlling edge dams according to the edge shape of the strip. The apparatus comprises: an edge dam driving unit which is attached to edge dams attached to both sides of casting rolls so as to control the pressing force of the edge dams against the casting rolls and the upward shift of the edge dams according to the wear and upward shift rate of the edge dams; cameras which are disposed at the strip outlet side of the casting rolls so as to photograph the edge portions of the strip; and a control unit which analyzes the edge shape of the strip from images photographed by the cameras and outputs a signal controlling the wear and upward shift of the edge dams.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for continuous casting of thin cast strip including removing oxides from the casting surface of each casting roll by contacting the casting surface of each casting roll with a rotating brush between the nip and the casting area, determining the temperature in segments along the casting roll surfaces or across the cast strip adjacent the nip, and delivering gas adjacent the casting surface between the rotating cleaning brush and the casting area regulated in segments corresponding to the determined temperature in the segment to control the quality of the strip produced. The gas delivery adjacent the casting surface between the rotating brush and the casting area may be done in at least five segments along the casting roll, and the temperature determination step may be done in a continuum such as by a scanning pyrometer. The temperature determination of the cast strip may be done between 0.2 and 1 meter from the nip.

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 method of controlling in a twin roll strip caster the thickness of as-cast strip by determining and operating at a target depth of the casting pool and a target speed of the casting rolls. The as-cast strip may be cast to a customer-specified thickness or may be subsequently rolled to a customer-specified thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for fabricating a steel strip (1), in which firstly a slab (3) is cast in a caster (2), with the slab (3) exiting the caster (2) at a casting speed (v) with a given slab thickness (H), with the slab (3) then being rolled to form a strip (1) in at least one rolling train (4, 5) having a number of rolling stands (6, 7) and the strip (1) having a final thickness (dE) downstream of the last rolling stand (6, 7).

Abstract: A method for detecting a crater end of a continuously cast product including installing an ultrasonic shear wave sensor for transmitting an ultrasonic shear wave to a cast product and receiving the transmitted ultrasonic longitudinal wave and an ultrasonic longitudinal wave sensor for transmitting an ultrasonic longitudinal wave to the cast product and receiving the transmitted ultrasonic longitudinal wave at the same position in a continuous casting machine or at positions apart from each other in a casting direction, but at the same position in a transverse direction of the cast product, detecting based on variations of an ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic shear wave sensor that the crater end of the cast product is matched with the installed position of the ultrasonic shear wave sensor, calibrating a calculation formula for determining the crater end and determining the crater end.

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

Abstract: 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: The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting is disclosed. At least two sensors are operationally connected to at least one end of at least one of a pair of casting rolls or of a pair of brushes, to continuously measure at least two force-related parameters during casting. At least two time domain signals corresponding to the measured force-related parameters are generated. The time domain signals are continuously monitored and transformed into corresponding frequency domain spectrums. The frequency domain spectrums are analyzed and composite intensity values are continuously calculated from the intensity levels of at least a portion of the frequency component signals within the frequency spectrums. Casting parameters are adjusted in response to reduce strip defects.

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 continuous casting furnace includes a temperature control mechanism for controlling the temperature of a metal casting as it exits a continuous casting mold in order to provide improved characteristics of the metal casting. The temperature control mechanism includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the metal casting, and a heat source and cooling device for respectively heating and cooling the metal casting in light of the temperature of the metal casting. A control unit determines if the temperature of the metal casting is within a predetermined range and controls the heat source and cooling device accordingly. The heat source may double as a cooling device or the cooling device may be separate from the heat source.

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: An apparatus and method for continuously casting thin steel strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip there between through which thin cast strip can be cast, an actuator capable of moving each casting roll independently toward and away from a given reference location as desired, location sensors capable of sensing the location of the casting rolls relative to the given reference location and producing electrical signals indicative of each casting roll position and a control system capable of receiving the electrical signals and causing the actuator to move the casting rolls into desired position. Force sensors may be provided capable of sensing the forces exerted on the strip and producing electrical signals indicative of the sensed forces, and the control system may be capable of receiving the electrical signals indicative of the sensed forces and causing actuators to vary the position of the casting rolls responsive to the electrical signals as desired.

Abstract: Horizontally continuously cast aluminum alloy rods excellent in quality are efficiently manufactured using a melting/holding furnace (101) to produce molten aluminum alloy, a molten-metal treatment apparatus (201) to remove aluminum oxide and hydrogen gas from the molten aluminum alloy, a horizontally continuously casting apparatus (301) to cast the treated molten aluminum alloy into horizontally continuously cast aluminum alloy rods, a cutting machine (408A, 408B) to cut to a standard length the cast rods, a first straightening apparatus (1001) to straighten bend of the cut rods, a peeling apparatus (1101) to peel skin portions of the straightened rods, a nondestructive inspection apparatus (1401) to inspect surface and internal portions of the peeled rods, a sorting apparatus (1501) to sort the inspected rods judged non-defective based on results of the nondestructive inspection step and a packing apparatus to pack the sorted rods, and continuously using at least the first straightening apparatus (1001) et

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a metal strip (1) by continuous casting. According to said method, a slab (3), preferably a thin slab, is initially cast in a casting machine (2), said slab being deviated from a vertical direction (V) into a horizontal direction (H), and in the direction of transport (F) of the slab (3) arranged behind the casting machine (2), the slab (3) is subjected to a milling operation in the milling machine (4), in which at least one surface of the slab (3), preferably two surfaces which are opposite to each other, are milled. In order to obtain a high economic viability and improved machining parameters when the strips are rolled, the slab (3) is milled as a first mechanical machining step after the slab (3) is deviated in the horizontal direction (H). The slab (3) is cast with a thickness (d) of at least 50 mm and the slab (3) is cast with a mass flow, which is the product of the casting speed and the slab thickness (v×d), of at least 350 m/min×mm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strand guiding unit and a method for positioning at least one roll segment of a strand guiding unit against a strand, the roll segment (110) comprising an upper and a lower roll support (114, 112), each of which bears at least one roll (116, 118) for guiding the strand (200) between the rolls. When viewed in the direction of the material flow, at least one respective positioning element is allocated to the tight-hand and left-hand side of the roll segment in order to position the two roll supports (112, 114) in relation to one another. The aim of the invention is to relieve the mechanical stress on a rolling frame that is connected downstream of the strand guiding unit, to relieve said frame of some of its previous tasks and to improve the quality of the strand. To achieve this, the separate positioning elements are individually controlled in such a way that the heights (Hr, Hl) of the right-hand and left-hand edges of the strand (200) are identical.

Abstract: The invention provides a temperature measurement system including a temperature sensor and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of a thermal energy source in response to receiving thermal energy from the source. The invention also provides a continuous casting system including at least one temperature sensor disposed in the secondary cooling region and means for biasing the temperature sensor in the direction of the strand of metal in response to receiving thermal energy from the strand of metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for predicting and controlling the castability of liquid steel. According to said method, the chemical composition of a melt to be cast is analyzed, an alloy calculation is carried out, alloy elements and/or additions are determined in order to obtain defined material characteristics of the steel, and operating diagrams are drawn up for further treatment of the melt. The interactions of the alloy and/or addition elements, which influence the castability, are taken into account during the alloy calculation as supplemental conditions.

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 and a device for determining the position of the solidification point (1a) in a strand (1) during continuous casting of liquid metals, in particular of steel, lead to precise results, while an indirect measurement of a movable amount of a core liquid volume per unit of length is carried out by direct measurement of generated process parameters by force and/or path signals on fixed or adjustable individual support rollers or groups of fixed or adjustable support roller pairs, and based on the measurement values, a calculation model for a momentary position of the solidification point (1a) is produced, based on which, changeable casting parameters are continuously adjusted.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to be able to produce directly cast GGV and GGG melts in a single-stage process, simultaneously determine the physical and mechanical parameters such as the strength index and the pipe index by means of a thermal analysis and a mathematical evaluation model, continuously compare the process data to the target data with the aid of the process control computer, optimally determine the amounts to be added, and introduce the determined amount into the melt.

Abstract: The temperature (T) of a metal (1) can be influenced directly or indirectly by at least one actuator (2) which is actuated in accordance with a control variable (S). The control variable (S) and starting values (TA, p1A, p2A) for a temperature of the metal (1) and phase proportions in which the metal (1) is at least in a first phase or a second phase, respectively, are predetermined for a material model (5). A heat conduction equation and a transformation equation are solved in real time within the material model (5), taking account of these variables (TA, p1A, p2A) , and in this way expected values (TE, p1E, p2E) are determined for these variables. As part of the transformation equation, the Gibbs' free energies (G1, G2) of the phases of the metal (1) are determined, a transformation rate of the metal (1) from the first phase to the second phase is determined therefrom, and the expected proportions (p1E, p2E) are determined from the latter.

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

Abstract: A method of controlling in a twin roll strip caster the thickness of as-cast strip by determining and operating at a target depth of the casting pool and a target speed of the casting rolls. The as-cast strip may be cast to a customer-specified thickness or may be subsequently rolled to a customer-specified thickness.

Abstract: Ultrathin hot rolled steel strips are obtained from thin slabs using a continuous casting process and production line. The process and production line includes a secondary cooling system, a roughing mill, an induction heating zone to fix temperatures of the intermediate strip chosen between 1000 and 1400° C., a final rolling zone to reduce the thickness of the hot finished strip while keeping a controlled temperature of the hot rolled strip from the last stand of the finishing rolling mill higher than 750° C. The strip is cooled between the last stand of the finishing rolling mill and the coiling station using a specific T.T.T diagram (time-temperature-transformation) for steel quality and strip thickness. A control system is also provided with a master system and six further peripheric sub-systems.

Abstract: A molten metal sensing and automation system for use with or in a metal casting mold. Aspects of the invention include a molten metal automation system which may include a bleedout detection system which provides an automated response, and an automated system for the preparation of the starting blocks for casting.

Abstract: The invention concerns a continuous casting ingot mold equipped with an immersed nozzle (3) provided with lateral outlets (2) opposite the small sides (5) of the ingot mold, and whereof the pattern of molten metal flows can be naturally in single loop or double loop, or even unstable. The invention is characterized in that it consists in using sliding magnetic fields acting, at the nozzle, on the flows of liquid metal reaching the ingot mold through the nozzle orifices, said magnetic fields being generated by polyphase linear electromagnetic field windings (14, 14?, 15, 15?) arranged opposite at least one side of the ingot mold on either side of the nozzle, preferably opposite one large side and advantageously both, so as to set, or stabilizes, a permanent pattern in double loop mode.

Abstract: Continuously cast products (12) are often provided with surface defects such as oscillation marks (17) and other non-homogeneous structures in the cast state thereof during production in a casting die (11) of a continuous casting plant (10). Defects which render a strip useless for superior applications also frequently occur on the strip surface during subsequent milling of the slab (12?) into a strip. The aim of the invention is to minimize said defects and provide the rolling mill with a slab (12?) having a desired preliminary profile and an improved near-surface structure. Said aim is achieved by arranging a reducing roll stand (30) in the area of the bending rolls or straightening driver rolls (24) within the continuous casting plant (10).

Abstract: In a method for the continuous casting of a thin metal strip according to the two-roll method, metal melt is cast into a casting gap formed by two casting rolls of the thickness of the metal strip to be cast, under formation of a melting bath. In order to form a particular texture within the cast metal strip and/or to influence the geometry of the metal strip, continuous casting is carried out by an on-line calculation based upon an arithmetic model describing the formation of the particular texture of the metal and/or the formation of the geometry of the metal strip, wherein variables of the continuous casting method affecting the formation of the texture and/or the geometry are adjusted in an on-line dynamic fashion, i.e. while casting takes place.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuous steel strip casting process based on customer-specified requirements includes a general purpose computer in which product specifications of steel product ordered by a customer is entered. The computer is configured to automatically map the product specifications to process parameters/set points for controlling the continuous steel strip casting process in a manner to produce the customer ordered product, and in one embodiment produces a process change report detailing such process parameters/set points for operator use in physically implementing such process parameters/set points in the strip casting process. Alternatively, the computer may provide the process parameters/set points directly to the strip casting process for automatic control thereof in producing the customer ordered steel product.

Abstract: A method (300) and a system (100) for controlling a casting process are described herein. The system (100) generally includes a die casting device (110) and a measuring device (120). The die casting device (110) includes a mold (130) configured to produce molded parts (140). The measuring device (120) may determine a position of the mold (130) within the die casting device (110) in a casting cycle. The measuring device (120) may determine an incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140) associated with the casting cycle. Based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140), the measuring device (120) may provide a notification in response to a trigger event. The measuring device (120) may also reset the die casting device (110) for another casting cycle based on the incremental increase in weight of molded parts (140).

Abstract: Fluid pressure of a first fluid chamber of a driving means, which acts as a back pressure, is monitored by a monitoring means when a core pin is driven by the driving means in an inserting direction before injection of a molten material into a cavity of a die arrangement. When the monitored fluid pressure of the first fluid chamber exhibits abnormal behavior that is different from normal behavior observed during a normal period, the monitoring means controls the driving means to stop the driving of the core pin in the inserting direction.

Abstract: A device for treating rolled metal products obtained by continuous casting, such as bars, plates, structural shapes or the like, arranged in line with a rolling system, and comprising a cooling plate (9), an in-line cooling box (13), in-line pickling means (14), in-line quality control means (16) consisting of ultrasonic instruments or induced current instruments, a bundling and/or lashing area (15).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous casting of slabs or ingots, in particular of thin slabs in a continuous casting installation. Said installation comprises a soft reduction section in a continuous casting guide under the mould. The soft reduction section contains pressure rollers and support roller (3, 4), which are continuously restrained in relation to one another, either individually or as a segment (1), by means of hydraulic cylinders (7, 7?) and are restrained in a limiting manner by stops (30). The installation uses a hard-pressure restraining force in an area of the soft reduction section that has not yet completely solidified and a soft-pressure restraining force in an area of the soft reduction section that has completely solidified.

Abstract: In a method for the continuous casting of a thin metal strip according to the two-roll method, metal melt is cast into a casting gap formed by two casting rolls of the thickness of the metal strip to be cast, under formation of a melting bath.

Abstract: In a method for vertical continuous casting of a steel band, a strand (11) of a parallelogram-like cross section is cast at first in a revolving chill-mold (2) and is thereafter transferred from said initial cross section with completely solidified longitudinal edges (10) and liquid core into a band (1) with plane-parallel cross section, this occurring in such a way that an already solidified shell (9) of the strand (11) which becomes increasingly thicker by cooling is increasingly compressed in the casting direction in a forming device (4) without upsetting deformation of the completely solidified longitudinal edges (10). In order to provide advantageous conditions it is proposed that after the compression into a band (1) the strand (11) with a still liquid core (16) is guided during the complete solidification of the core merely in a forming gap with a constant width corresponding to the thickness of the completely solidified longitudinal edges (10) and is calibrated in this process.

Abstract: In a method for continuous casting bars, billets, and slabs from a melt in dimensional ranges of approximately 20 to 150 mm thickness and approximately 600 to 3500 mm width by means of an oscillating, water-cooled casting mold in cooperation with a submerged-entry nozzle and by employing casting powder for formation of casting slag, local temperatures and local heat flux densities of a casting mold wall in a meniscus area of the melt critical for the surface quality of a slab are measured. The working temperature of the casting mold wall in the meniscus area is maintained by adjusting the operating parameters important for the working temperature within a predetermined temperature range (&Dgr;T).

Abstract: Twin roll caster produces cast steel strip that passes in a transit path through pinch roll stand and optional hot rolling mill and runout table to a coiling station which has a pair of switchable coilers. A strip shear located in advance of the coiling station is operable to sever strip into discrete lengths which can be diverted by setting deflectors to allow the severed lengths to pass across a runout table to a scrap bin. The strip may be thus severed and diverted to scrap on development of strip defects or malfunctioning of equipment without stopping continuous casting and the strip redirected to the coiling station when the problem is rectified.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous casting of slabs or ingots, in particular of thin slabs in a continuous casting installation. Said installation comprises a soft reduction section in a continuous casting guide under the mould. The soft reduction section contains pressure rollers and support roller (3, 4), which are continuously restrained in relation to one another, either individually or as a segment (1), by means of hydraulic cylinders (7, 7′) and are restrained in a limiting manner by stops (30). The installation uses a hard-pressure restraining force in an area of the soft reduction section that has not yet completely solidified and a soft-pressure restraining force in an area of the soft reduction section that has completely solidified.

Abstract: A method of controlling in a twin roll strip caster the thickness of as-cast strip by determining and operating at a target depth of the casting pool and a target speed of the casting rolls. The as-cast strip may be cast to a customer-specified thickness or may be subsequently rolled to a customer-specified thickness.

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

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuous steel strip casting process based on customer-specified requirements includes a general purpose computer in which product specifications of steel product ordered by a customer is entered. The computer is configured to automatically map the product specifications to process parameters/set points for controlling the continuous steel strip casting process in a manner to produce the customer ordered product, and in one embodiment produces a process change report detailing such process parameters/set points for operator use in physically implementing such process parameters/set points in the strip casting process. Alternatively, the computer may provide the process parameters/set points directly to the strip casting process for automatic control thereof in producing the customer ordered steel product.

Abstract: A process for producing aluminum sheet product having a controlled grain structure and texture using a continuous caster to cast molten aluminum into a slab comprising the steps of providing a source of molten aluminum and continuously casting the molten aluminum into a slab using a continuous caster; continuously rolling the slab into a sheet product and continuously annealing the sheet product in a controlled temperature range; measuring grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a grain structure and texture related signal on a continuous basis; and relaying the signal to a controller. In the controller, comparing the signal to previous signals reflecting grain structure and texture of the sheet product to provide a comparison; and in response to the comparison, maintaining or changing heat input to the process upwardly or downwardly to increase or decrease the temperature to produce aluminum sheet having the desired grain structure and texture.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuous steel strip casting process based on customer-specified requirements includes a general purpose computer in which product specifications of steel product ordered by a customer is entered. The computer is configured to automatically map the product specifications to process parameters/set points for controlling the continuous steel strip casting process in a manner to produce the customer ordered product, and in one embodiment produces a process change report detailing such process parameters/set points for operator use in physically implementing such process parameters/set points in the strip casting process. Alternatively, the computer may provide the process parameters/set points directly to the strip casting process for automatic control thereof in producing the customer ordered steel product.

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