EP2648865B1 - Strand casting system for casting a metal strand - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a continuous casting plant for casting a metal strand, with a mold for forming the metal strand and a strand guide with at least a first strand guide segment, which is arranged downstream of the mold in the sliding direction, with a strand input side and a Strandausgangsselte. The first strand guide segment has a pair of roller carriers disposed oppositely within the first strand guide segment and each having a number of support rollers extending over a support region for supporting and guiding the metal strand exiting the mold.

State of the art.

The publication DE 44 36 328 A1 describes a method and a plant for continuous casting, with a continuous casting mold and a subsequently arranged strand guide. The arranged below the mold strand guide segments are received within a support frame, wherein the first two support segments in the form of a link chain are lined up.

The WO 97/37796 relates to a continuous casting mold assembly in which the mold is movably mounted on a frame member. The frame element serves at the same time for the attachment and support of strand guide elements.

The publication DE 101 06 252 A1 describes the strand guide of a continuous casting, in which the arranged below the mold strand guide segments are connected to each other via mechanical connections.

The WO 97/44150 relates to a continuous casting plant, with a mold insertable into a frame-shaped lifting table and a strand guiding device adjoining the mold, which is formed from a plurality of strand guiding segments.

The publication US 3,718,177 relates to an arrangement for the construction of a guide roller frame, which is inserted below a two-sided open, removable mold in a continuous casting machine.

The EP 0 450 391 B1 describes a device for supporting a metal strand, in particular for soft reduction in a Vorbend caster, wherein below the continuous casting mold are provided on both sides of the cast strand mirror image opposite roller carrier. The roller carriers are divided into a plurality of rollers carrying segments, which are coupled so articulated to each other that each segment can be adjusted and adjusted for themselves at any angle to the casting strand,

In the WO 2009/141210 A1 Is a continuous casting for casting a metal strand with Knoppel- or Vorblockquerschnitt known with an insertable in a Kokillentragrahmen, exchangeable and oscillating mold for Forming the metal strand and a strand guide subsequent to the mold for supporting and guiding the metal strand. The first of the mold immediately following strand guide segment is releasably attached to the first segment frame at substantially vertical support surfaces and independently of the subsequent strand guide segments from the continuous casting and off and installable.

The EP 1 370 380 B1 describes the strand guide of a continuous casting and a Anstellverfahren for their role segments. In this case, the strand guide comprises at least two segments, which are usually formed as roller segments with one strand input side and one strand output side and a pair of roller carriers with support rollers, wherein the roller carriers can be adjusted by means of hydraulic adjusting units. Between adjacent segments a mechanical connection is ever present, so that when arranging a pair of cylinders on the strand input side of a segment whose Anstellbewegung takes place both on this side and at the same time on the strand exit side of an associated precursor segment. When arranging a pair of cylinders on the strand exit side of a segment, the adjusting movement takes place both on this side and at the same time on the strand input side of an associated following segment.

A disadvantage of the arrangements according to the prior art that for changing the format thickness in the segment strand guide, the mold and firmly clamped with the mold segment 1 must be changed together. A rapid adjustment of the strand guide is only possible to a limited extent. Due to the high ambient temperatures, the electronics for controlling the position-controlled hydraulic cylinders of the first strand guide segment are usually housed in cooling chambers. When changing the mold and the first strand guide segment z. B. for the purpose of changing the format thickness are disadvantageously also expand the hydraulic cylinder and the electronics, which is very complicated and costly due to the described installation situation. Another disadvantage is that the hydraulic cylinders are often prone to failure in rough casting operation.

Description of the invention

The object of the invention is to simplify the setting of the format thickness of the cast strand within a continuous casting plant for casting metal strands, so that a flexible and rapid adjustment of different formats is ensured in successive casting processes. At the same time, the operational safety is to be improved and the costs reduced.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

The term "reaction forces" in the present text means those forces which are exerted on the roller carriers of the strand guide segments transversely to the casting direction due to the hydrostatic pressure acting in the interior of the liquid metal strand.

The advantage of this arrangement according to the invention is the quick and easy connection of the mold to the first strand guide segment with simultaneous automatic adjustment of the format thickness in the first strand guide segment of the continuous casting over the first coupling point without the use position-controlled Hydraulic cylinder in the first strand guide segment would be mandatory. With the coupling point advantageously a simple and secure mechanical connection between the mold and the first strand guide segment is created. Furthermore, the coupling point has the advantage that the mold can be replaced independently of the first strand guide segment. This simplifies the assembly considerably.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

According to a first exemplary embodiment, the arrangement according to the invention provides that the first coupling point is arranged between the mold and the loose side of the first strand guide segment in order to unambiguously / firmly position the loose side of the first strand guide segment to the mold.

Furthermore, the invention provides that an oscillating drive is arranged on the mold, which vibrates the mold in the casting direction. The first coupling point is therefore designed so that a kokillenseitige half of the first coupling point connected to the mold and a segment-side half of the first coupling point connected to the first strand guide segment are freely displaceable against each other in an engaged position in the direction of vibration. With this arrangement, the vibrations generated at the mold by the oscillation drive are prevented from being transmitted to the first strand guide segment. The mutually displaceable kokillenseitige and segment-side half also allow irregular forces in the casting direction, which arise for example during the casting during filling of the liquid casting metal, can be compensated by the coupling point.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first coupling point is designed so stable that the reaction forces generated in the interior of the still liquid metal strand within the first strand guide segment are at least partially transmitted to the mold via the first coupling point. Advantageously, this eliminates additional fasteners, such. B. hydraulic cylinder, on the first strand guide segment for connecting its Losseite with its fixed side and for receiving the reaction forces in the first strand guide segment. Thus, a change of the first strand guide segment is greatly simplified, because the disassembly and assembly of the hydraulic cylinder and its electronics is eliminated.

Furthermore, the invention provides that at least one of the mold associated connecting element is designed to be stable, that it is not only the resulting in the mold due to the prevailing ferrostatic pressure there reaction forces on the mold walls, but in addition also at least partially transmitted from the first strand guide segment reaction forces can absorb and absorb. Advantageously, the connecting element can be arranged on the mold inlet side and / or the mold outlet side and / or between them. Since the loose side and fixed side of the mold are usually preassembled and firmly joined together by means of the connecting element, the at least one connecting element of the mold can advantageously also be used to take over at least part of the reaction forces from the first strand guide segment.

The invention further provides that the strand guide has a second strand guide segment, in the casting direction of the first strand guide segment downstream and connected via a second coupling point with the first strand guide segment.

In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, it is provided that a half of the second coupling point connected to the first strand guide segment and a half of the second coupling point connected to the second strand guide segment are freely displaceable relative to one another in the casting direction. Such a design of the second coupling point allows for easy insertion and coupling of the first segment to the second strand guide segment. The assembly and disassembly of the strand guide segments carried by the insertion into the coupling point independently and are therefore much faster and easier to perform. Adjusting the alignment between the output cross section of the first strand guide segment and the input cross section of the second strand guide segment is omitted in the inventive arrangement, since the two halves are preset such that no further adjustment within the strand guide is necessary after connection of the strand guide segments.

Furthermore, the invention provides that the second coupling point is designed so stable that the reaction forces can be transmitted within the first strand guide segment at least partially from the second coupling point to the second strand guide segment.

Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one of the second strand guide segment associated third connecting element for connecting the fixed side to the loose side of the second strand guide segment is formed so stable that it is not only in the second strand guide segment Reactive forces arising but also at least partially absorb and absorb the resulting from the first strand guide segment resulting and transmitted from the second coupling point on the second strand guide segment reaction forces. In this case, the third connecting element can advantageously be arranged according to the space and force relationships on the input side and / or on the output side and / or in the central region of the second strand guide segment.

Advantageously, the reaction forces distributed from the first strand guide segment to the first and the second coupling point and thus to the mold and the second strand guide segment. Due to this distribution of force connecting elements in the region of the first strand guide segment are basically unnecessary. As a result, the installation and removal of the first strand guide segment is significantly simplified.

Regardless of this, it is provided according to an alternative embodiment feature that at least one second connection element is arranged on the input side and / or the output side and / or in the central region of the first strand guide segment, for connecting the fixed side to the loose side of the first strand guide segment. The second connecting element is designed so stable that it can at least partially absorb and compensate for the reaction forces arising in the first strand guide segment. Advantageously, the second connecting element leads to an increased load capacity of the first strand guide segment, when the reaction forces in the first strand guide segment can also be partially derived in addition to the mold and / or the second strand guide segment. At rather low maximum loads in the strand guide segment can at least one of the coupling points be constructively smaller and thus designed to be weaker.

The invention provides that the coupling points are articulated. Advantage over a rigid connection is the possibility of improved adaptation to the strand guide, especially in the bow area of the strand guide, and an improved distribution of force in the joint.

It is further provided that the coupling points are designed decoupled. As a result, the strand guide segments can be separated quickly and easily from each other.

It is recommended according to a further embodiment feature of the present invention, that the first coupling point and / or the second coupling point are formed as a sliding bearing. Thus, the connection provides only one degree of freedom in the casting direction. In the casting direction, the coupling point is freely movable, so that the vibrations in the casting direction, for example caused by the oscillation drive on the mold, are compensated. The decoupling of adjacent strand guide segments is simplified.

Furthermore, the invention provides that between the kokillenseitigen half of the first coupling point and the segment-side half of the first coupling point a sliding bearing or a roller bearing is arranged. By the reaction forces pressure forces are exerted on the coupling point transverse to the casting direction, which generate frictional forces between the two halves of the coupling point and as a result lead to increased wear. Advantageously, the wear characteristics and the friction behavior of the sliding bearing can be improved with the plain bearing or roller bearings.

The invention further provides that - when the first coupling point is in engagement - the jaw width of the strand input side of the first strand guide segment coincides with the jaw width of the output side of the mold and is aligned. Advantageously, the format thickness of the mold is previously set outside the strand guide device by suitable positioning of the halves of the coupling points. Through the coupling point, the format thickness is automatically transferred from the mold to the first strand guide segment during coupling. An otherwise very time-consuming adjustment of the mouth widths in the transition region from the mold to the first strand guide segment is omitted here.

In a further embodiment of the invention it is provided that - when the second coupling point is in engagement - the jaw width of the string input side of the second strand guide segment coincides with the jaw width of the output side of the first strand guide segment and is aligned. The advantages of this are as described above.

Further advantages and details emerge from the dependent claims and from the following description, in which the embodiments of the invention shown in the figures are explained in more detail.

Description of the figures

The invention will be described below with reference to FIGS Figures 1 to 5c described in detail. In all figures, like elements are designated by like reference numerals.

Figur 1

eine Stranggießanlage, aufweisend eine Kokille, ein erstes Strangführungssegment, ein zweites Stranführungssegment, bei der das erste Strangführungssegment über jeweils eine Koppelstelle mit der Kokille und dem zweiten Strangführungssegment verbunden ist;

Figur 2

eine Stranggießanlage wie in Figur 1 dargestellt, bei der jeweils an der Eingangsseite und der Ausgangsseite des ersten Strangführungssegmentes jeweils ein Verbindungselement angeordnet ist;

Figur 3

eine Stranggießanlage, wie zuvor beschrieben, bei der lediglich an der Eingangsseite des ersten Strangführungssegmentes ein Verbindungselement angeordnet ist;

Figur 4

eine Stranggießanlage wie zuvor beschrieben, bei der lediglich an der Strangausgangsseite des ersten Strangführungssegmentes ein Verbindungselement angeordnet ist;

Figur 5a

beispielhafte Ausführung der Koppelstelle als Schieblager mit einer Gleitlagerung;

Figur 5b

beispielhafte Ausführung der Koppelstelle als Schiebelager mit einer Rollenlagerung;

Figur 5c

alternative beispielhafte Ausführung der Koppelstelle als Schieblager mit einer Rollenlagerung.

Show it:

FIG. 1

a continuous casting, comprising a mold, a first strand guide segment, a second strand guide segment, wherein the first strand guide segment is connected via a respective coupling point with the mold and the second strand guide segment;

FIG. 2

a continuous casting plant as in FIG. 1 represented, in each case a connecting element is arranged at each of the input side and the output side of the first strand guide segment;

FIG. 3

a continuous casting plant, as described above, in which only at the input side of the first strand guide segment, a connecting element is arranged;

FIG. 4

a continuous casting plant as described above, in which only at the strand exit side of the first strand guide segment, a connecting element is arranged;

FIG. 5a

exemplary embodiment of the coupling point as a sliding bearing with a plain bearing;

FIG. 5b

exemplary embodiment of the coupling point as a sliding bearing with a roller bearing;

FIG. 5c

alternative exemplary embodiment of the coupling point as a sliding bearing with a roller bearing.

The FIG. 1 describes a continuous casting plant 100 for casting a metal strand 10, with a mold 20 for forming the metal strand 10. The mold 20 consists of a fixed side 22 and a loose side 21, with at least one first connecting element 55, for connecting the fixed side 22 to the loose side 21. Connecting elements 55 of this type are commonly referred to in this application as clamping units. They are used for cohesion of the individual components of the molds 20, in particular for cohesion of the two broad sides and for receiving reaction forces F. The mold 20 is associated with an oscillating drive 70 which vibrates the mold 20 in the casting direction R, to adhere the forming To prevent strand shell on the inside of the mold 20.

The illustrated strand guide 30 includes, the mold 20 downstream in the casting direction R, a first strand guide segment 31 with a fixed side 35 and a loose side 36 and a first strand input side 38 and a first strand exit side 39. Within the first strand guide segment 31, a first roller carrier 60 on the lot side 36 and the opposite a second roller carrier 61 is arranged on the fixed side 35. The roller carriers 60, 61 each have in the casting direction a number of support rollers 37 extending over a support region for carrying and guiding the metal strand 10 emerging from the mold 20. The first strand guide segment 31 is followed by at least one second strand guide segment 32 in the casting direction R.

The second strand guide segment 32 describes a second strand entrance side 38 'and a second strand exit side 39' and a third roller carrier 62 on the second lot side 36 'and a fourth roller carrier 63 on the second fixed side 35' of the second strand guide segment 32. The two roller carriers 62, 63 are The fixed side 35 'of the second strand guide segment 32 is connected to the loose side 36' of the second strand guide segment 32 via two connecting elements 57, hereinafter also referred to as clamping units, connected to each other. The arrangement of only one clamping unit (in the FIG. 1 not shown) is also conceivable. The clamping units 57 serve to receive the reaction forces prevailing, at least in the second strand guide segment 32, caused by the hydrostatic pressure in the still liquid metal strand 10. The reaction forces act substantially perpendicular to the casting direction R on the roll supports 60, 61, 62, 63 of the strand guide segments 31, 32 and on the walls of the mold 20th

The clamping units 57 serve to receive the reaction forces transmitted from the first strand guide segment 31 via a second coupling point 41 to the second strand guide segment 32, the second coupling point 41 being in the region between the first strand exit side 39 of the first strand guide segment 31 and the second strand input side 38 'of the second Strand guide segment 32 is arranged.

The second strand guide segment 32 mounted in the strand guide of the continuous casting plant 100 is then inserted into the strand guide 30 first strand guide segment 31 coupled via the second coupling point 41. Subsequently, the mold 20 is inserted above the first strand guide segment 31 in the strand guide 30 and coupled via the first coupling point 40 to the first strand guide segment 31.

The first and second coupling point 40, 41, which are each exemplified as sliding bearings, allow easy and fast coupling of the elements described above within a continuous casting 100. Contrary to the usual practice, where the mold 20 usually with the first strand guide segment 31 already is firmly connected prior to assembly in the strand guide 30 and the mold 20 is used together with the first strand guide segment 31 in the strand guide 30, the inventive first coupling point 41 allows the mold 20 and the first strand guide segment 31 are individually inserted into the strand guide 30 can. As a result, the respective trailer weight on a crane during assembly of the continuous casting machine 100 is significantly reduced. With the closing of the coupling points 40, 41, the jaw widths between the strand exit side of the mold 20 and the strand input side 38 of the first strand guide segment 31 and the first strand exit side 39 of the first strand guide segment 31 and the second strand input side 38 'of the second strand guide segment 32 are automatically adjusted via the respective strand paths Halves of the coupling points 40, 41. The assembly times are reduced. Additional clamping units on the first strand guide segment 31, which unnecessarily increase the weight, are in the FIG. 1 shown arrangement is not necessary, since the reaction forces occurring alone taken up by the stably designed coupling points 40, 41 and compensated or derived on the mold and the second strand guide segment 32. By saving the clamping units, the cost of the strand guide 30 are lowered simultaneously.

The at least one kokillenseitige half and at least one segment-side half of the first coupling point 40 and the at least one connected to the first strand guide segment half of the second coupling point 41 and the at least one connected to the second strand guide segment half of the second coupling point 41 serve in function, for example, a plug-in coupling or Sliding clutch for quick and easy installation and connection of the components, as described above. The respective halves of the coupling points 40, 41 consist of at least two form-fitting interlocking components or guide elements, which form the sliding bearing. The at least one half of the first coupling point 40 describes a first guide element on the output side of the mold 20, which is for example web-shaped or cylindrical. The second half of the first coupling point 40 describes a second guide element on the first strand input side 38 of the first strand guide segment 31, which is for example U-shaped for receiving the first guide segment, and which cooperates with the first guide element. The second coupling point 41 may in principle be constructed in the same way as the first coupling point 40, and is usually arranged in the region between the first strand exit side 39 of the first strand guide segment 31 and the strand input side 38 'of the second strand guide segment 32.

A particular advantage of the coupling points 40, 41 according to the invention as sliding bearings is that the coupling points 40, 41 only have to absorb the reaction forces described above. The oscillations generated in the casting direction R by the oscillation drive 70 on the mold 20 are compensated by the sliding in the casting direction R training of the nested halves of the coupling points 40, 41 and not on the mold 20 downstream at least two strand guide segments 31, 32 transferred.

The representation according to the FIG. 2 describes the same strand guide 30 as already to the FIG. 1 described. The only difference is that in the first strand guide segment 31, two second connecting elements 56 are arranged for connecting the fixed side 35 to the loose side 36 of the first strand guide segment 31. In the illustrated embodiment, a second connecting element 56 is in each case in the region of the strand input side 38 and the strand output side 39 of the first strand guide segment 31 is arranged. Usually, the connecting elements 56, which are also referred to as clamping units, designed as hydraulic, pneumatic or electro-mechanical components. The second connecting elements in Fig. 2 take at least a portion of the reaction forces in the first strand guide segment 31 and thus relieve the first and the second coupling point 41. These can therefore respect to the training according to Fig. 1 less stable and thus be less expensive.

The presentation in the FIG. 3 differs from the illustration in Figure 2 only in that on the first strand guide segment 31 only in the region of the first Stang Entrance page 38, a second connecting element 56 is arranged to connect the first fixed side 35 with the first lot side 36 of the first strand guide segment 31. This is In particular, the first coupling point 40 relieves during the second coupling point 41 similar to in Fig. 1 has to transmit a portion of the reaction forces from the first strand guide segment 31 to the second strand guide segment 32. Therefore, the first coupling point 40 may be made weaker here than the second coupling point 41.

The alternative representation in the FIG. 4 describes in contrast to the representation in the FIG. 3 , a second connecting element 56 on the output side 39 of the first strand guide segment 31, for connecting the first fixed side 35 with the first lot side 36 of the first strand guide segment 31. The second connecting element 56 takes over at least a portion of the reaction forces acting in the first strand guide segment 31 and thus relieves the second coupling point 41.

The advantages arising from the optionally attached additional clamping units 56 on the first strand guide segment 31 as shown in FIGS Figures 2 . 3 and 4 are on the one hand, the possibility of increasing the maximum load capacity of the first strand guide segment 31 by additionally at least one clamping unit 56 in addition to the stably formed coupling points 40, 41. Depending on the dimensions and the resulting stability of the clamping units 56 can significantly more reaction forces within of the first strand guide segment 31 are received. Advantageously, however, can also be provided structurally that the coupling points 40, 41 are made weaker according to the dimensioning of the clamping units 56, since part of the reaction forces are absorbed by the additional clamping units 56, as described above.

The FIG. 5a describes in principle the formation of the coupling points 40, 41 as a sliding bearing with a sliding bearing with two guide elements which engage with each other and are guided against each other. The illustrated shape of the two guide elements is outlined only as an example and may be different. Thus, the second coupling point 41 of the construction of the first coupling point 40 differ. The friction surfaces of the mutually displaceably guided guide elements can be designed as low-friction, exchangeable slides 80, 80 ', for example, a temperature-resistant bearing bronze or a highly wear-resistant material such as Hardox. The friction surface at least on a guide element, for example, arcuate or spherical (in the FIG. 5a not shown) to reduce the friction within the sliding bearing. The additional use of a high-temperature resistant lubricant between the friction surfaces advantageously leads to a further reduction of the frictional forces and thus to a reduction in wear within the sliding bearing.

The FIGS. 5b and 5c show alternative versions of the sliding bearing as a roller bearing. In the FIG. 5b are bearing elements 81, such as balls or conical or cylindrical needles between the two guide elements of the coupling points 40, 41 are arranged. The FIG. 5c describes the arrangement of at least one roller bearing 82 or a roller as the upper guide element of the coupling points 40, 41. In this case, the roller can be formed with spherical surface. Advantage of these arrangements as roller bearings are the much lower frictional resistance between the guide elements of the coupling points 40, 41 in comparison to a slide bearing. Conditionally can in the execution after FIG. 5c Positional displacements between the guide elements are compensated, for example, occur in the curve area of the strand guide. In this case, the guide element can roll with the flat surface on the roller bearing or the roller of the second guide element and even assume a different angular position α.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

100

continuous casting plant

10

metal strand

20

mold

21

Losseite- mold

22

Fixed side mold

30

strand guide

31

first strand guide segment

32

second strand guide segment

35

Fixed side - first strand guide segment

35 '

Fixed side second strand guide segment

36

Losseite- first strand guide segment

36 '

Lot-side second strand guide segment

37

support rollers

38

first strands input side- first strand guide segment

38 '

second strands input side- second strand guide segment

39

first strand exit side first strand guide segment

39 '

second strand exit side- second strand guide segment

40

first coupling point

41

second coupling point

55

first connecting element

56

second connecting element

57

third connecting element

60

first roll carrier / lot side

61

second roll carrier / fixed side

62

third roller carrier / lot side

63

fourth roll carrier / fixed side

70

oscillatory

80

bearings

81

bearing elements

82

roller bearing

α

angular position

F

reaction force

Claims (16)

1. Continuous casting plant (100) for casting a metal strip (10), comprising:

   a mould (20) for forming the metal strip (10) and

   a strip guide with at least one first strip guide segment (31), which is arranged downstream of the mould (20) in casting direction, with a strip inlet side (38) and a strip outlet side (39), wherein the first strip guide segment (31) comprises a pair of roller carriers (60, 61) which are arranged to be opposite within the first strip guide segment (31) and which each comprise a number of support rollers (37), which extend over a support region, for supporting and guiding the metal strip (10) issuing from the mould (20),

   characterised in that

   arranged between the mould (20) and the first strip guide segment (31) is a first coupling point (40) for coupling the strip guide segment to the mould, wherein the first coupling point (40) comprises at least one mould-side half at the outlet side of the mould (20) and at least one segment-side second half at the first strip inlet side (38) of the first strip guide segment (31), and the respective halves of the coupling point (40) are formed from two mechanically interengageable components or guide elements forming a slide bearing.
2. Continuous casting plant (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that the first coupling point (40) is arranged between the mould (20) and the movable side (36) of the first strip guide segment (31).
3. Continuous casting plant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an oscillatory drive (70), which sets the mould (20) into oscillation in casting direction (R), is arranged in the mould (20) and that a mould-side half, which is connected with the mould (20), of the first coupling point (40) and a segment-side half, which is connected with the first strip guide segment (31), of the first coupling point (40) are freely displaceable relative to one another in the direction of the oscillation even when the coupling point (40) is connected.
4. Continuous casting plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first coupling point (40) is of such stable construction that the reaction forces generated in the interior of the still liquid metal strip (10) can be transferred within the first strip guide segment (31) at least in part via the first coupling point (40) to the mould (20).
5. Continuous casting plant according to claim 4, characterised in that at least one first connecting element (55) associated with the mould (20) is of such stable construction that it can accept and absorb not only the reaction forces arising in the mould (20) due to the ferrostatic pressure prevailing thereat, but additionally also at least in part the reaction forces transmitted from the first strip guide segment (31) via the first coupling point (40).
6. Continuous casting plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the strip guide comprises a second strip guide segment (32), arranged downstream of the first strip guide segment (31) in casting direction and that a second coupling point (41) is arranged for connecting the first strip guide segment (31) with the second strip guide segment (32), wherein the second coupling point (41) consists of at least two mechanically positively interengaging components or guide elements forming a slide bearing.
7. Continuous casting plant according to claim 6, characterised in that a half, which is connected with the first strip guide segment (31), of the second coupling point (41) and a half, which is connected with the second strip guide segment (32), of the second coupling point (41) are freely displaceable relative to one another in casting direction.
8. Continuous casting plant according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the second coupling point (41) is of such stable construction that the reaction forces within the first strip guide segment (31) can be transferred at least in part from the second coupling point (41) to the second strip guide segment (32).
9. Continuous casting plant according to claim 8, characterised in that at least one third connecting element (57), which is associated with the second strip guide segment (32), for connecting the fixed side (35') with the movable side (36') of the second strip guide segment (32) is of such stable construction that it can accept and absorb not only the reaction forces arising in the second strip guide segment (32), but additionally also at least in part the reaction forces arising in the first strip guide segment (31) and transmitted by the second coupling point (41).
10. Continuous casting plant according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterised in that at least one second connecting element (56) is arranged at the inlet side and/or the outlet side and/or in the middle region of the first strip guide segment for connecting the fixed side (35) with the movable side (36) of the first strip guide segment (31), wherein the second connecting segment (56) is of such stable construction that it can accept and compensate for at least in part the reaction forces arising in the first strip guide segment (31).
11. Continuous casting plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or the second coupling point (40, 41) is or are of articulated construction.
12. Continuous casting plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first and/or second coupling point (40, 41) is or are constructed to decouplable.
13. Continuous casting plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first coupling point (40) and/or the second coupling point (41) is or are constructed in the form of a slide bearing.
14. Continuous casting plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a slide bearing or a roller bearing is arranged between the mould-side half, which is connected with the mould (20), of the first coupling point (40) and the segment-side half, which is connected with the first strip guide segment (31), of the first coupling point (40).
15. Continuous casting plant according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the mould-side and segment-side halves of the first coupling point (40) are so positioned relative to one another that when the first coupling point (40) is connected the mouth width of the first strip inlet side (38) of the first strip guide segment (31) corresponds and is aligned with the mouth width of the outlet side of the mould (20).
16. Continuous casting plant according to any one of claims 6 to 15, characterised in that the two halves of the second coupling point (41) are so positioned relative to one another that when the second coupling point (41) is connected the mouth width of the second strip inlet side (38') of the second strip guide segment (32) corresponds and is aligned with the mouth width of the first strip outlet side (39) of the first strip guide segment (31).

Images