Abstract: An integrated process for automatically controlling the position of solidification of molten metal in the bite of rotating rolls of roll casting apparatus, the gauge of solid metal exiting the apparatus, and compensation for eccentricity in the rolls of the apparatus. The process includes a series of measuring steps that provide values indicative of solidification position, exit gauge and the frequency of roll eccentricity. The solidification position and gauge values are separately compared to reference values established for the position and gauge, with corrections being made respectively to the speed and casting gap of the rolls when differences occur between the measured and reference values. While such measuring and correcting steps are being performed the measured frequency of eccentricity is being employed to cyclically change the roll gap to offset the effects of eccentricity on the gauge of metal exiting the mill.

Abstract: An alloying ingredient is added to molten steel entering the tundish in a continuous casting process. The concentration of the alloying ingredient is maintained substantially uniform throughout the cast by exercising certain controls. Small scale, short term variations in the mass flow rates of the alloying ingredient and molten steel and in the recovery of the alloying ingredient are attenuated by employing a system having certain characteristics.

Abstract: In continuous casting of a non-ferrous metal melt by a gas-pressure impartation method, the cast skin of a large size ingot is usually impaired by the chilling effect of a mold, and it is difficult to stably produce a large size ingot. This difficulty is overcome by controlling the quantity of gas inflow in accordance with the quantity of the light emitted from a light source provided below a mold and laterally to an ingot, which light reaches a separate chamber for gas-pressure impartation.

Abstract: A method of changing the width of a continuous metal casting of rectangular cross section without interrupting the casting, wherein a length of the continuous casting is cast through a mold defining a cavity of rectangular cross section having a longitudinal axis, the mold having two small side walls determining therebetween the width of the continuous casting, at least one of the side walls being displaceable with respect to the longitudinal axis to change the width, which comprises the improvement of so controlling the displacement of the one side wall in response to the length of the continuous casting cast since the beginning of the width changing operation that a transition zone of changing width of the continuous casting has a predetermined length regardless of any change in the casting speed of the continuous casting during said operation.

Abstract: A continuous casting plant comprising at least one casting line presenting a curved guide path for bending the casting leaving the casting mold from a substantially vertical direction to a rectilinear, substantially horizontal direction through a straightening machine and across a following cutting device for shearing the casting in a number of consecutive sections of predetermined length. Between the straightening machine and the cutting device a stepwise feeding device is provided for feeding the tail-end section of the casting across the cutting device and for operating the cutting device after each step so as to shear the tail-end section of the casting into comparatively small stubs which are discarded beneath the path of the casting by a chute.

Abstract: The impedance of a zone above bulk material in a bin is measured as a probe is reciprocated toward and away from the material in this zone. The direction-change location of the probe which corresponds to the measured impedance reaching a set point value, is detected and utilized to provide the control signal for automatically replenishing the material in the bin.

Abstract: A process and nozzle for the continuous casting of molten metal to the mold of a caterpillar track type mold wherein the distance of the nozzle from the moving mold belts is regulated during the casting operation by altering the temperature at a plurality of places inside the nozzle body and/or by creating a pressurized gas cushion at a plurality of locations between the nozzle and the moving mold belts. The nozzle for feeding molten metal to the mold includes heating elements for altering the temperature of the nozzle and, if desired, at least one gas channel for forming a gas cushion between the nozzle and the moving mold belts.

Abstract: A process for controlling the molten metal level in continuous thin slab casting in which molten metal poured from a large-sized tundish into a small-sized tundish through a sliding nozzle is caused to overflow from the small-sized tundish for casting through a tiltable casting spout into a twin-belt-type continuous casting machine is disclosed. The process comprises measuring the level of molten metal on the casting machine to provide a deviation signal representative of a deviation of the level of the molten metal from a target value; and adjusting a directly influencing factor on the molten metal level, such as a pouring rate of the molten metal into the mold and a pulling speed of the molten metal according to the deviation signal.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for casting a strip with laterally extending lugs by introducing molten metal at the inlet of a molding zone having a bottom and sidewalls, the bottom of the molding zone being formed by the upper surface of a moving endless belt and the sidewalls being formed by a first and second moving endless sidedam. The sidedams move with the belt from the inlet to the outlet of the molding zone and return from the outlet to the inlet. Each sidedam comprises an endless strap and a multiplicity of blocks strung thereon. Some of the blocks form lug molding pockets, the height of each pocket being lower than the height of the molding zone. A cast strip with laterally extending lugs is extracted at the outlet of the molding zone. The passage of lug molding pockets or blocks forming these pockets in each sidedam is detected.

Abstract: Pressure is exerted on the interior of casting rolls with a negative crown so that the rolls may maintain a true cylindrical surface without any crown when the continuous casting operation is initiated. When the cylindrical surface of the rolls is heated by molten metal as the continuous casting operation continues, the interior pressure of the rolls is decreased, whereby the rolls may maintain a true cylindrical surface without any crown.

Abstract: Control method for preventing a breakout or/and a crack of the slab of continuous casting equipment. Heat flux waveforms or heat flux values commensurate to extracted heat values at various positions of a mold are measured by means of thin plate type surface heat flux meters (14, 14x, 14y, 14z) provided at various positions on side shell plate (11, 11c) of the mold (10). When an abnormality or a deviation from a target value is detected, pouring rate is changed, scope of supply, brands and the like of mold powder are controlled, or taper value of short sides of the mold is controlled, so that a breakout or/and a crack of the slab is prevented.

Abstract: A breakout warning method and apparatus for a continuous casting installation wherein structure-bound sound, traveling through the area of the ingot mold, is continuously picked up by a sound recorder and checked for the presence of typical frictional noises between the mold and billet. A breakout signal is emitted upon determination that there are no typical frictional noises present.

Abstract: An apparatus and process electromagnetically forms feed ribbon or rod material into a desired thin strip shape. Inductors contain and form the material in molten form into the desired shape. There are at least an upstream and downstream inductor for applying the magnetic field to the molten material. Both the upstream and downstream inductors may be jointly used to contain and form the molten material into the thin strip shape. An alternating current is applied to the inductors to generate the magnetic field. This magnetic field defines a containment zone for the molten material and a gap between the molten material and the inductors. The current is applied to the inductors so that the gap remains substantially constant. The feed material has an upstream and a downstream liquid-solid interface adjacent the upstream and downstream inductors, respectively, which define the molten material head and solid material portions of the material.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for casting metals wherein the molten metal is contained and formed into a desired shape by the application of an electromagnetic field established by an inductor. The height of the liquid metal head, the location of the liquid-solid interface at the periphery of the forming ingot, and/or variations in the values of these parameters is displayed during the casting run by a system which monitors the in-phase component of the voltage across the inductor to determine variations in the total equivalent series resistance of the electromagnetic casting system as seen by the inductor.

Abstract: A multi-strand apparatus and process is provided for casting molten materials into ingots of desired shape. The apparatus comprises a plurality of devices for receiving and electromagnetically forming the molten material into desired shape. Each of the receiving and forming devices includes an inductor for applying a magnetic force field to the molten material. The inductor in operation is spaced from the molten material by a gap extending from the surface of the molten material to the opposing surface of the inductor. An alternating current applying device sends current to its associated inductor to generate the magnetic force field. Circuitry associated with each of the inductors senses variations in their respective gaps. The improvement comprises a pulse width modulating circuit associated with said gap variation sensing circuitry being connected to the alternating current applying device for controlling the application of alternating current to the inductor.

Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting method for continuously feeding a molten metal stored in a tundish through a tundish nozzle located in the vicinity of the tundish at its bottom to a mold horizontally connected to the tundish nozzle to produce a strand, wherein an electromagnetic field generating device is arranged in the vicinity of the boundary between the tundish nozzle and the mold for exerting an electromagnetic force directed toward a center of the molten metal flowing through the vicinity of the boundary or in a strand withdrawing direction, to separate the molten metal from the inner surface of the tundish mozzle anterior to the boundary with respect to the strand withdrawing direction, to allow the molten metal to come into contact with the inner surface of the mold posterior to the boundary with respect to the strand withdrawing direction.

Abstract: A continuous casting mold is adapted for measurement of the clamping force exerted on the mold sidewalls. A method of adjusting the mold size includes measuring the clamping force and adjusting it to a predetermined value, preferably a value related to the size to which the mold is adjusted. The method may also include monitoring the clamping force during casting and adjusting it so as to maintain it constant at said predetermined value.

Abstract: In a method for continuous casting of steel, an improvement which is constituted by carrying out the continuous casting process while the thickness of a molten mold powder pool adjacent to the molten steel melt within a continuous casting mold is maintained at a desired preset value, and whenever the actual value deviates from the preset value, the continuous casting can still be continued by adjusting the casting conditions or by selecting a powder appropriate for the casting conditions. The method produces a casting requiring no subsequent processing to remove defects.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable sliding mold assembled of two angular mold pieces slidably engaging each other at two mating surfaces. Adjusting means, preferably in the form of a spindle, is hinged to an outer side of a mold part to move the same transversely to the extrusion channel. The movable mold part is formed with an arcuate guide surface extending transversely to the extrusion channel and cooperating with a stationary complementary bearing surface so that during adjustment of the width of the extrusion channel the guiding surface automatically adjusts the taper of the channel.

Abstract: A method for detecting a molten metal surface level in a casting mold, comprises inserting an electrode in a slag constituting a layer under a flux floating on the surface of the molten metal, detecting a change of electric resistance due to a temperature gradient of the place at which the electrode is inserted, displacing the electrode to bring the detected value to be always constant within a range of from 5 to 50 .OMEGA., and measuring the degree of the displacement of the electrode thereby detecting the surface level of the molten level. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for casting metals wherein the molten metal is contained and formed into a desired shape by the application of an electromagnetic field. The apparatus includes an inductor and a non-magnetic shield. Changes in the location or the location of the top surface of the molten metal head are continuously displayed during the casting run by monitoring electrical parameters of the electromagnetic casting system including at least one electrical parameter of the non-magnetic shield.

Abstract: A process and apparatus having improved efficiency for forming a semi-solid alloy slurry. A molten metal in a containing device is mixed electromagnetically by a moving, non-zero magnetic field provided over substantially all of a solidification zone within the containing device. The magnetic field causes the shearing of dendrites formed in the solidification zone at a desired shearing rate. The magnetic field is generated by a device supplied with current at a desired line frequency. By operating within a defined range of line frequencies, a desired shear rate for attaining a desired cast structure at reduced levels of power consumption and current can be achieved.

Abstract: A multi-strand apparatus and process for casting molten material into at least two ingots of desired shape. Structure is provided for receiving and electromagnetically forming the molten material into ingots of desired shape. Each of the receiving and forming structures includes an inductor for applying an electromagnetic force field to the molten material. When the inductor is in operation, it is spaced from the molten material by a gap extending from the surface of the molten material to the opposing surface of the inductor. The improvement comprises a device for distributing a common alternating current to the inductors to generate the magnetic fields. A device is provided for minimizing variations in the gaps during operation of the casting apparatus.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for determining the value of parameters which affect emissivity of radiation from a metal load in an electromagnetic casting system. Infrared radiation being emitted from the surface of the load is sensed by an array of fiber optic filaments secured within elements of the electromagnetic casting system. Radiation signals are transmitted by the filaments to a signal processor which enables readout display of electromagnetic casting parameters such as liquid temperature, maximum load temperature, position of the liquid/solid interface, and head position.

Abstract: An apparatus for blocking escaped heat in hot slabs manufactured on a continuous-casting machine. The apparatus has a heat containing cover extending in the longitudinal direction of the slab on both sides of the withdrawal guide rolls. The upper and lower portions of the heat containing cover each have a semi-circular cut to receive the lower part of a top guide roll and the upper part of a bottom guide roll. The heat containing cover can be reciprocated in the direction of the axis of the guide rolls so that a desired clearance is left between the cover and the edges of the slab.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adjusting the inclination of the small sides in a mold for continuous casting, selectively in response to any variations of the mold sides as such, and in response to any variation of the gap between the casting emerging from the mold and the lower end thereof. A feedback loop operating in response to mold side inclination should be responsive to command input which are dependent upon the casting speed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for casting a material into a desired thin strip shape. Molten material is formed into the thin strip shape by an electromagnetic containing and forming process. In a first portion the molten material is shaped into the desired thin strip shape and in a second portion upstream of and communicating with the first portion the molten material is electromagnetically contained in a sump. The sump at a top surface thereof has a substantially larger cross-sectional area as compared to a cross-sectional area of the thin strip shape.

Abstract: An improvement in continuous metal casting machines of the type having a pair of flexible, moving casting belts which revolve along endless paths for defining a casting region therebetween and moving side dams which revolve along with the casting belts for confining the cast strip, slab or bar laterally. The casting belts are individually supported by upper and lower carriage means. The machine is provided with sensors such as load cells for sensing the displacement forces existing between the upper and lower carriages at selected points along the path of belt travel, and for sensing the side pressures exerted upon the side dams by the cooling, solidifying metal. This sensing permits the maintenance of predetermined, desired contact pressures along the length of the solidifying metal to thereby improve the physical characteristics of the cast product.

Abstract: A take-up reel and take-up reel starting feed for use in high speed ribbon crystallization of molten material e.g., a metal or a semiconductor material, in which a starting strip is pre-wound onto the take-up reel sufficiently to frictionally engage the take-up reel and be thereby drawn onto the take-up reel from a supply reel for the starting strip, and wherein the linear velocity of the starting strip in a contact zone is synchronized with the linear velocity of a cast ribbon of the material leaving a rotating drum on which the casting initiated, so that the ribbon of cast material, after it passes over the starting strip in the contact zone, will contact the starting strip and pass onto the take-up reel in contact with the starting strip and without bunching or significant stretching of the ribbon of cast material.

Abstract: The narrow sides or side walls of a plate mold are adjusted or set, during continuous casting, while increasing their mutual spacing from one another in order to increase the sectional shape or format of the continuously cast strand. The withdrawn heat of the narrow sides of the mold is measured and used as a control magnitude for setting the adjustment speed of such narrow sides of the mold.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the mold geometry during the continuous casting of billets and blooms formed of steel. During the progress of the continuous casting operation there is measured the actual value of the withdrawal of heat at the continuous casting mold and this value is compared with a set or reference value. In the presence of a deviation exceeding a predetermined magnitude there is determined a damaging mold geometry.

Abstract: Continuous metal casting method, especially continuous steel casting method, in which the melt is set in rotation about the strand axis within the continuous casting mold and gas in the gaseous or liquid state is fed onto the bath surface excentrically to the mold axis and at an acute angle to the velocity vector of the rotatory movement. The rotatory movement of the melt is brought about substantially by the thrust of the gas directed at high velocity onto the bath surface. The apparatus for the practice of the method has circumferentially of the mold, at least 2 terminal fittings of gas feed lines, whose discharge orifices are so constructed that a rotatory movement of the melt is brought about substantially by the thrust of the gas directed at high velocity against the bath surface.