Abstract: The invention relates to a roller hearth furnace (1) for heating and/or temperature equilibration of continuous cast products (2), comprising a first series of rollers (13) running in the longitudinal direction (12) and a second parallel series of rollers (15) on the outlet side (14), wherein a buffer zone (16) with lifting elements (17) for the perpendicular transport of the continuous cast product (2) is arranged between the series of rollers (13, 15). Furthermore, alternative arrangements for a further process route (28) are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for receiving successive bars moving longitudinally along an entry path and for laterally transferring the bars from the entry path to a braking path. The apparatus comprises a run in table having a plurality of rollers arranged to convey the bars along the entry path. A braking surface is arranged between the run in table and the braking path. The braking surface and the rollers of the run in table lie in a reference plane sloping downwardly from the entry path to the braking path. A dividing wall is arranged between the run in table and the braking surface. The dividing wall is adjustable between a raised position projecting above the reference plane to block lateral downward movement of bars from the entry path across the braking surface to the braking path, and a lowered position accommodating such downward movement. A switch is positioned in advance of the dividing wall. The switch has a plurality of guide channels arranged around a common axis.

Abstract: A furnace roller for transporting of a continuously cast stock of a continuously casting plant through a temperature equalizing and heating furnace and including a rotatable arbor supported outside of the furnace and having cooling medium channels provided in its interior, a plurality of tires supported on the arbor and forming a transporting plane for the transported stock, at least one clamping ring provided between a tire and the arbor and formed of metal or alloy having a maximum possible thermal conductivity and susceptible to both cold and hot deformation, and at least one steel sleeve provided sidewise of the clamping ring.

Abstract: A roller assembly for moving a billet in a furnace comprising a rotatable shaft, a roller and at least one support member. The roller has an outer rolling surface for accepting the billet thereon. The roller further includes an inner surface. The at least one support member is located between the rotatable shaft and the roller. The at least one support member includes a support surface engaging the inner surface of the roller, whereby the support surface provides support for the rolling surface of the roller, thereby preventing cracking or indenting of the rolling surface as the billet strikes the rolling surface.

Abstract: A cooling bed plate transfer grid insert which is height adjustable independently of its mounting to the grid. The insert has an outer frame which is clampable to the grid and an inner frame supporting a roller and which is clampable to the outer frame and height adjustable relative to the outer frame so that the mounting of the outer frame to the grid need not be disturbed when adjusting the height of the roller or when replacing the inner frame and roller assembly for repair of the insert. The inner frame is thus easily and inexpensively replaceable without the necessity of replacing the outer frame. The replaceable inner frame includes stationary bearings for the rotating roller shaft to provide improvement in wear life of perhaps about 200 per cent. Springs are provided to allow the roller to flexibly move downwardly under load of plates being moved thereover so that each of the rollers underlying a plate bears its share of the load, but the rollers are biased to the desired unloaded height.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for rolling hot wide strips from continuously cast thin slabs in successive steps of operation of a rolling line which includes a continuous finishing train. One or more casting lines and individual thin slabs are severed from the cast strand. The thin slabs are homogenized and adjusted to rolling temperature in an equalizing furnace and the thin slabs are transferred from the equalizing furnace to the rolling line. Roller-type turning furnaces provided in each of the casting lines and in the rolling line are use by turning the roller-type turning furnaces toward each other into positions which are inclined relative to the casting and rolling lines in the manner of switches for alternatingly conveying thin slabs from one of the casting lines through the roller-type turning furnaces into the rolling line.

Abstract: A furnace for the formation of a black oxide film on the surface of a thin metal sheet is disclosed which comprises a tunnel-like furnace proper provided at one terminal side thereof with an inlet and at the other terminal side thereof with an outlet, conveying means laid inside the furnace proper from the inlet through the outlet thereof for conveying a thin metal sheet from the inlet to the outlet, openable shutter means for partitioning the interior of the furnace proper into at least first and second regions on the front and rear sides respectively in the direction of conveyance of the thin metal sheet, first gas supply means for feeding into the first region on the inlet side of the furnace proper partitioned by the shutter means a mixed gas containing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and containing substantially no oxygen or a mixed gas containing carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and steam and containing substantially no oxygen, second gas supply means for feeding into the second region on the outlet

Abstract: Direct softening heat treatment of rolled wire rods comprises the steps:providing wire rods by hot- or warm-rolling, andimmediately following rolling, coiling the rolled wire rods in an annealing furnace. Apparatus therefor comprises an annealing furnace provided with an externally or internally built coiler for rolled wire rods disposed adjacent to a rolling line of said wire rods, the coiler being disposed so as to directly receive the rolled wire rods.

Abstract: A retractable, roller hearth for use in an industrial heat treat furnace is disclosed whereby the alloy rollers are retracted from their load bearing position when the furnace heat treat processes are underway thus maintaining the rated load capacity of the furnace. A plurality of guided rail support posts and guided, sealed lift posts accurately assure straight line vertical motion of the refractory base enabling contact between fibrous rope seals to seal the hearth from the cooler, lower portions of the furnace when the hearth is in a raised position.

Abstract: A delivery system is provided for use in conjunction with the metallurgical furnace of the type having an elongated furnace chamber with an access door at one end for delivering a coffin containing parts into the interior of the furnace chamber. The delivery system comprises a plurality of rollers which are secured to the bottom of the furnace chamber so that axes of the rollers extend transversely with respect to the axis of the furnace chamber. In use, the rollers frictionally engage the bottom of the coffin and guide the coffin into the furnace chamber. Preferably, the coffin includes upwardly extending channels on its bottom, and which the rollers are positioned.

Abstract: A rotatable or tiltable metallurgical vessel, in particular a pig iron mixer, is mounted in a fixed bearing and an expansion bearing. A toothed element is arranged on the vessel jacket between the two bearings and a driven counter-element engages the toothed element. The expansion bearing and the fixed bearing are designed as slide bearings that include raceways fastened to the vessel jacket at a distance from each other, and arcuate slideways formed of slide plates that accommodate the raceways.