EP3231532B1 - Methods of starting and stopping a multi-strand continuous casting machine, and shared sealing drive and multi-strand continuous casting machine - Google Patents

Description

Field of technology

• ein Verfahren zum Starten des Gießbetriebs einer mehrsträngigen Stranggießmaschine,
• ein Verfahren zum Stoppen des Gießbetriebs einer mehrsträngigen Stranggießmaschine,
• einen Multi-Stopfenantrieb zum Öffnen und Schließen mehrerer Stopfen, und
• eine Mehrsträngige Stranggießmaschine mit dem Multi-Stopfenantrieb.

The present invention relates to

• a method for starting the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous caster,
• a method for stopping the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous caster,
• a multi-plug drive for opening and closing several plugs, and
• a multi-strand continuous caster with the multi-plug drive.

State of the art

Methods for starting or stopping the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous casting machine, which is particularly suitable for casting long products from steel, are known in principle in the prior art.

From the WO 2014/001145 A2 a distribution car with a casting distributor for a multi-strand continuous casting machine for casting long products is known. The distribution trolley can be moved between a casting position and a parking position on the casting platform.

The EP 2 574 414 A1 describes a stopper drive, a method for compensating for elasticities or play in the control of the stopper drive and the use of the stopper drive.

The EP 0 223 078 A1 describes a method for starting up a continuous caster with several strands, in particular for pouring molten steel from a tundish into several continuous casting molds by means of adjustable pouring closures, whereby a target level of the melt lies within a measuring section of a level measuring device assigned to each mold, and the strands that are formed are drawn off by a strand take-off unit at the same speed.

Plug drives are often used in multi-strand continuous casting machines for long products, i.e. products with a billet, bloom or pre-profile cross-section. A stopper drive moves a single stopper so that the stopper can open, close or regulate an outflow of liquid steel from the pouring manifold into a mold. The plug is usually made of refractory material and is exchanged after a distributor change.

Before or after the casting operation, the casting distributor is usually transported including the installed plug drives in the so-called distributor economy and for the next casting sequence restored. There is an increased risk of damaging the sensitive plug drives during transport, tipping and storage of the distributor.

Due to the high number of stopper drives per pouring manifold in a multi-strand continuous casting machine, the assembly and disassembly of the stopper drives is also time-consuming. The assembly or disassembly of the plug drives on the hot manifold is also extremely dangerous, since the pouring manifold is still very hot due to the liquid metal or the metal residues and the assembly staff can easily be injured.

Summary of the invention

The object of the invention is to reduce the time required to assemble or disassemble the stopper drives on a pouring manifold. In addition, the risk of damage to the plug drives in the distribution industry should be reduced. Finally, the risk of injury to the assembly personnel during assembly or disassembly of the plug drives is to be reduced.

• Montieren eines Multi-Stopfenantriebs, insbesondere nach Anspruch 10, an einen Gießverteiler, wobei sich der Gießverteiler in einem Rüstbereich, vorzugsweise auf einer Gießbühne, der Stranggießmaschine, befindet und der Multi-Stopfenantrieb mehrere Stopfen unabhängig voneinander Öffnen und Schließen kann;
• Befestigen von Stopfen am Multi-Stopfenantrieb;
• Aufsetzen des Gießverteilers auf einen Verteilerwagen, wobei sich der Verteilerwagen in einer Parkposition auf der Gießbühne der Stranggießmaschine befindet;
• Herstellen von elektrischen Verbindungen zwischen einer Steuerung der Stranggießmaschine und dem Multi-Stopfenantrieb;
• Aufheizen des Gießverteilers;
• Verfahren des Verteilerwagens in eine Gießposition;
• Befüllen des Verteilers;
• Öffnen von zumindest einen Auslaufkanal aus dem Gießverteiler durch das Bewegen zumindest eines Stopfens des Multi-Stopfenantriebs, wodurch der Gießbetrieb der Stranggießmaschine gestartet wird.

This object is achieved by a method for starting the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous casting machine according to claim 1 through the following method steps:

• Mounting a multi-plug drive, in particular according to claim 10, on a pouring manifold, wherein the pouring manifold is located in a set-up area, preferably on a pouring platform, of the continuous casting machine, and the multi-plug drive can open and close several plugs independently of one another;
• Attaching plugs to the multi-plug drive;
• Placing the casting distributor on a distributor carriage, the distributor carriage being in a parking position on the casting platform of the continuous casting machine;
• Establishing electrical connections between a controller of the continuous casting machine and the multi-plug drive;
• Heating up the pouring manifold;
• Moving the delivery truck to a casting position;
• Filling the manifold;
• Opening of at least one outlet channel from the casting distributor by moving at least one stopper of the multi-stopper drive, whereby the casting operation of the continuous casting machine is started.

In contrast to the prior art, only a single plug drive (called "multi-plug drive") according to claim 10 - and not, as is customary in the prior art, several separate plug drives - is mounted on the pouring manifold, the multi-plug drive several - i.e. At least two plugs can be opened and closed independently of one another and the individual plug drives of the multi-plug drive are releasably attached to a beam. The assembly time is shortened by the multi-plug drive according to the invention. During assembly, the pouring manifold is located in the so-called setup area of the continuous caster.

After the multi-plug drive has been installed on the pouring spreader, the plugs are attached to the individual plug drives.

Then the casting distributor with the multi-stopper drive and the stopper are placed on a distributor carriage, the distributor carriage being in a parking position on the casting platform of the continuous casting machine at this time.

Then the electrical connections between a control of the continuous casting machine and the multi-plug drive are established. The control of the continuous casting machine is preferably via a single cable harness with the Multi-plug drive connected, which in turn reduces assembly time.

Then the pouring manifold, e.g. by burner, heated so that the pouring spreader or its lining is not damaged by the subsequent filling with molten steel.

The distribution trolley is then moved into the casting position. Typically the distribution trolley is guided by rails on the casting platform. The at least partial filling of the pouring manifold with molten steel can be done in either the parking or pouring position, e.g. directly from a pan or via a so-called pan rotation.

Finally, at least one outlet channel from the casting manifold is opened by moving (typically lifting) a plug of the multi-plug drive, whereby molten steel flows from the manifold into the mold and the casting operation is started.

The multi-plug drive is preferably transported from a storage area to the set-up area before assembly.

The transport is preferably carried out by means of a transport manipulator, which can optionally be moved parallel to the casting platform or rotated about an axis that is normal to the casting platform. This allows the multi-plug drive to be safely manipulated. It is particularly preferred if the multi-stopper drive is transported and installed on the pouring spreader by means of one and the same manipulator.

Due to the weight of the pouring spreader, it is useful if the pouring spreader is placed on the spreader trolley by means of a crane.

• Schließen von zumindest einen Auslaufkanal aus dem Gießverteiler durch das Bewegen eines Stopfens des Multi-Stopfenantriebs, sodass alle mit dem Multi-Stopfenantrieb verbundenen Stopfen geschlossen sind;
• Verfahren des Verteilerwagens in eine Parkposition;
• Abkühlen des Gießverteilers;
• Lösen von elektrischen Verbindungen zwischen einer Steuerung der Stranggießmaschine und dem Multi-Stopfenantrieb;
• Abheben des Gießverteilers vom Verteilerwagen;
• Transportieren des Gießverteilers in einen Rüstbereich der Stranggießmaschine;
• Lösen der Stopfen vom Multi-Stopfenantrieb; und
• Demontieren des Multi-Stopfenantriebs vom Gießverteiler.

The object according to the invention is also achieved by a method for stopping the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous casting machine which has a casting distributor on a distribution carriage and the casting distributor has a multi-stopper drive, in particular according to claim 10, with several plugs, according to claim 6 by the following method steps:

• Closing at least one outlet channel from the pouring manifold by moving a stopper of the multi-stopper drive so that all stoppers connected to the multi-stopper drive are closed;
• Moving the distribution truck to a parking position;
• Cooling the pouring runner;
• Releasing electrical connections between a control of the continuous casting machine and the multi-plug drive;
• Lifting the pouring spreader off the spreader carriage;
• Transporting the casting manifold into a set-up area of the continuous casting machine;
• Loosen the plug from the multi-plug drive; and
• Dismantle the multi-plug drive from the pouring spreader.

First, at least one outlet channel from the pouring manifold that is open during the casting operation is closed by moving (typically lowering) a stopper, so that all the plugs of the multi-stopper drive are closed. This ends the casting operation. The pouring spreader is then moved into the park position, where the pouring spreader can cool down, for example by natural convection. After the electrical connections between the control of the continuous caster and the multi-plug drive have been loosened, the casting distributor is lifted off the distributor carriage. The pouring spreader is then transported to the set-up area of the continuous caster, where the plugs are released from the multi-plug drive. Loosening can take place, for example, by knocking off the plugs. Then the multi-plug drive is dismantled from the pouring spreader. Due to the weight of the pouring spreader, it is expedient if the lifting of the pouring spreader from the distribution trolley and the transporting of the pouring spreader to the set-up area take place by means of a crane.

It is also advantageous if the multi-stopper drive is dismantled from the pouring spreader using a manipulator.

Finally, it is advantageous if, after the multi-plug drive has been dismantled from the pouring spreader, the multi-plug drive is transported to a storage area by means of a manipulator. It is particularly preferred if the dismantling and transporting of the multi-plug drive take place by means of the same manipulator.

• mehrere Stopfenantriebe zum jeweils unabhängigen Öffnen und Schließen eines Stopfens;
• ein Verbindungselement, vorzugsweise ein Balken, auf dem mehrere Stopfenantriebe lösbar befestigt sind; und
• Befestigungsmittel zum Befestigen des Verbindungselements an einem Gießverteiler.

The object according to the invention is also achieved by a multi-stopper drive for opening and closing several stoppers according to claim 10, having:

• several stopper drives for each independent opening and closing of a stopper;
• a connecting element, preferably a beam, on which a plurality of plug drives are releasably attached; and
• Fastening means for fastening the connecting element to a pouring manifold.

As a result of the "multi-plug drive" according to claim 10, which forms a single structural unit, the several plug drives in a multi-strand continuous casting machine can be quickly mounted or dismantled on the casting manifold.

• eine Gießbühne mit mehreren Kokillen zum Stranggießen von Strängen aus Stahl;
• einen Verteilerwagen, der auf der Gießbühne zwischen einer Gießposition und einer Parkposition verfahrbar ist;
• einen Gießverteiler und ein erfindungsgemäßer Multi-Stopfenantrieb, wobei der Multi-Stopfenantrieb lösbar auf dem Gießverteiler montiert und demontiert werden kann;
• einen Rüstbereich für den Gießverteiler und einen Ablagebereich für den Multi-Stopfenantrieb, wobei der Rüstbereich und der Ablagebereich vorzugsweise auf der Gießbühne angeordnet sind;
• einen Manipulator zum Transportieren des Multi-Stopfenantriebs vom Ablagebereich in den Rüstbereich und vice versa;
• einen Kran zum Aufsetzen und Abheben des Gießverteilers vom Verteilerwagen; und
• eine Steuerung der Stranggießmaschine, die mit dem Multi-Stopfenantrieb verbunden werden kann.

A multi-strand continuous casting machine according to the invention according to claim 11 comprises:

• a casting platform with a plurality of molds for continuously casting strands of steel;
• a distribution carriage that can be moved on the casting platform between a casting position and a parking position;
• a pouring spreader and a multi-plug drive according to the invention, wherein the multi-plug drive can be detachably mounted and dismantled on the pouring spreader;
• a set-up area for the pouring manifold and a storage area for the multi-plug drive, the set-up area and the storage area preferably being arranged on the casting platform;
• a manipulator for transporting the multi-plug drive from the storage area to the setup area and vice versa;
• a crane for setting up and lifting the pouring manifold from the manifold; and
• a control of the continuous casting machine, which can be connected to the multi-plug drive.

The manipulator is designed to assemble and disassemble the multi-plug drive.

• einen Hubzug zum Abheben und Absenken des Multi-Stopfenantriebs;
  und/oder
• eine Verfahreinrichtung zum Verfahren des Manipulators parallel zur Gießbühne.

It is advantageous if the manipulator has

• a hoist for raising and lowering the multi-plug drive;
  and or
• a moving device for moving the manipulator parallel to the casting platform.

In a simple case, the hoist can be designed as a chain hoist arranged on a boom; the traversing device can be formed, for example, by a linear drive, several guide wheels and a rail.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines Gießverteilers mit einem Multi-Stopfenantrieb für vier Stränge,
• Fig 2 ein Kreuzriss zu Fig 1,
• Fig 3 eine Detailansicht der Aufhängung des Multi-Stopfenantriebs am Gießverteiler von Fig 1,
• Fig 4 und 7 ein Grundriss einer schematischen Darstellung von Verfahrensschritten zum Starten des Gießbetriebs einer mehrsträngigen Stranggießmaschine,
• Fig 5 eine Aufriss mit einem Verteilerwagen, einen Gießverteiler und einem Manipulator,
• Fig 6 ein Grundriss mit dem Ablage- und Rüstbereich einer Stranggießmaschine
• Fig 8 ein Grundriss einer erfindungsgemäßen Stranggießmaschine

Further advantages and features of the present invention emerge from the following description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments, with the following
Figures show:

• Fig 1 a perspective view of a pouring spreader with a multi-plug drive for four strands,
• Fig 2 a cross crack too Fig 1 ,
• Fig 3 a detailed view of the suspension of the multi-plug drive on the pouring manifold from Fig 1 ,
• Fig 4 and 7th a floor plan of a schematic representation of process steps for starting the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous casting machine,
• Fig 5 an elevation with a distribution trolley, a pouring manifold and a manipulator,
• Fig 6 a floor plan with the storage and set-up area of a continuous casting machine
• Fig 8 a plan view of a continuous casting machine according to the invention

Description of the embodiments

The Fig 1 shows a perspective view of a casting distributor 1 on which a multi-plug drive 2 for four strands of a continuous casting machine for the continuous casting of billet strands is mounted. The multi-stopper drive 2 has four stopper drives 3a ... 3d and a common bar 4.

The Fig 3 shows that the beam 4 can be hung on an upper bolt 8a of the pouring manifold 1. The multi-plug drive 2 is clamped to the pouring manifold 1 via the clamping unit 7 and the lower bolt 8b, thereby forming a detachable connection between the pouring manifold 1 and the multi-plug drive 2.

In the event of an electrical malfunction, the plugs 5 of Fig 2 be closed manually by means of the emergency actuation 6. The plugs 5 are detachably connected to the respective plug drive via a screw connection 18. During the casting operation, the stopper 5 can open, close or adjust the flow rate by means of the stopper drive 3a... 3d an outlet channel 9 from the casting distributor to the mold, not shown here. In the event of an interruption in casting or after the end of casting, the plug 5 closes the outlet channel 9 so that no molten steel can leave the pouring manifold 1. The plugs 5 are made of refractory material and are detachably connected via the screw connection 18 to a plug drive; for example, the plug 5 is off Fig 2 releasably connected to the plug drive 3a.

In the Figures 4 to 7 the process steps for starting the casting operation of a four-strand continuous casting machine for casting round billets of steel are shown schematically. In Fig 4 on the right is a multi-plug drive 2 for four strands, which is located in a storage area 10 on the casting platform of the continuous casting machine. In the middle of the figure, the pouring distributor 1 is shown, which is located in a set-up area 11 of the continuous casting machine. The pouring manifold 1 with the multi-plug drive 2 mounted on it is shown on the far left, the multi-plug drive 2 being detachably connected to the pouring manifold 1 via two clamping units 7.

In Fig 6 three multi-plug drives 2 are shown in a storage area 10 of the continuous casting machine. One stopper drive 2 is transported by means of a manipulator 15 from the storage area 10 to the set-up area 11, and there it is lowered onto the pouring manifold 1 via the lift 17 of the manipulator 15 and mounted thereon. The lowering of the multi-plug drive 2 by means of the hoist 17 is shown in FIG Fig 5 shown. Here the manipulator 15 can be moved parallel to the casting platform 16 via rails 13. The directions of travel the manipulator 15 and the hoist 17 are shown by arrows. In Fig 5 the plugs 5 attached to the multi-plug drive 2 are also shown. The stopper 5 is connected to a stopper drive via a screw connection 18 (see also Fig 2 ).

The placing of the pouring distributor 1 on the distributor carriage 12 by a crane (see Fig 8 , Reference number 19) is not shown separately. Also not shown are the establishment of electrical connections between the control of the continuous casting machine and the multi-plug drive 2, the heating of the pouring manifold 1 via burners and the filling of the pouring manifold 1 with liquid steel, for example via a ladle turret.

In Fig 7 the distribution carriage 12 with the casting manifold 1 mounted thereon is drawn through in the parking position and shown in dashed lines in the casting position. The movement of the distribution truck 12 on rails 13 is again symbolized by an arrow. In the casting position, the molds 14a ... 14d of the multi-strand continuous casting machine 100 are shown.

The opening of a plug 5 of the multi-plug drive 2 is shown in FIG Fig 2 shown. This starts the casting operation of the multi-strand continuous casting machine.

The steps for carrying out the method for stopping the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous casting machine are also already from the Fig 4-7 known, with the exception that the method according to claim 6 runs largely in the opposite direction to the method according to claim 1.

In Fig 8 Finally, an embodiment of a multi-strand continuous casting machine 100 according to the invention is shown. The depositing area 10 for the multi-plug drive 2 and the setup area 11 for the pouring manifold are located on the casting platform, which is not shown separately 1. The multi-stopper drive 2 is lifted from the storage area 10 by means of the manipulator 15 and the hoist pull 17, transported to the set-up area 11 and there placed on the pouring manifold and mounted. For this purpose, the manipulator can be moved on the rails 13 by the movement drive 15a. The pouring spreader 1 with the multi-plug drive 2 is then lifted off the set-up area 11 by means of the crane 19, which is designed as an indoor crane, and placed on the spreader carriage 12. The distribution trolley 12 can then be moved on further rails 13 from the parking position into the pouring position shown in dashed lines. The indoor crane has a trolley 20 so that the crane can be moved from left to right over the trolley 20 and from top to bottom over the rails 13 arranged on the side in the casting hall, as shown.

List of reference symbols

1

Pouring manifold

2

Multi-plug drive

3a ... 3d

Stopper drive

4th

bar

5

Plug

6th

Emergency actuation

7th

Clamping unit

8a, 8b

bolt

9

Outlet channel

10

Storage area

11

Setup area

12

Distribution trolley

13

rail

14a ... 14d

Mold

15th

manipulator

15a

Travel drive

16

Casting platform

17th

Hoist

18th

Screw connection

19th

crane

20th

Trolley

100

multi-strand continuous caster

Claims (13)

1. Method for starting the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous casting machine (100), in particular for casting long products from steel, comprising the steps of:

   - mounting a multi-plug drive (2) according to Claim 10 on a tundish (1), wherein the tundish is in a setting-up area (11), preferably on a casting platform, of the continuous casting machine and the multi-plug drive can open and close a number of plugs (5) independently of one another;

   - attaching plugs (5) to the multi-plug drive (2);

   - placing the tundish (1) onto a tundish car (12), wherein the tundish car (12) is in a parking position on the casting platform of the continuous casting machine (100);

   - establishing electrical connections between a control of the continuous casting machine (100) and the multi-plug drive (2);

   - heating the tundish (1);

   - displacing the tundish car (12) into a casting position;

   - filling the tundish (1);

   - opening at least one outlet channel (9) from the tundish (1) by moving a plug (5) of the multi-plug drive (2), whereby the casting operation of the continuous casting machine (100) is started.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that, before mounting the multi-plug drive (2) on the tundish (1), the multi-plug drive (2) is transported from a storage position (10) to the setting-up area (11).
3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the transporting of the multi-plug drive (2) is performed by means of a manipulator (15), which is preferably displaceable parallel to the casting platform.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting of the multi-plug drive (2) on the tundish (1) is performed by means of a manipulator (15), which is preferably also suitable for transporting the multi-plug drive (2).
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the placing of the tundish (1) on the tundish car (12) is performed by means of a crane (19).
6. Method for stopping the casting operation of a multi-strand continuous casting machine (100), in particular for casting long products from steel, wherein the continuous casting machine has a tundish (1) on a tundish car (12) and the tundish (1) has a multi-plug drive (2) according to Claim 10 with a number of plugs (5), comprising the method steps of:

   - closing at least one outlet channel (9) from the tundish (1) by moving a plug (5) of the multi-plug drive (2), so that all plugs (5) connected to the multi-plug drive (2) are closed;

   - displacing the tundish car (12) into a parking position;

   - cooling the tundish (1);

   - disconnecting electrical connections between a control of the continuous casting machine (100) and the multi-plug drive (2);

   - lifting off the tundish (2) from the tundish car (12);

   - transporting the tundish (1) into a setting-up area (11) of the continuous casting machine (100);

   - detaching the plug (5) from the multi-plug drive (2); and

   - demounting the multi-plug drive (2) from the tundish (1).
7. Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the lifting off of the tundish (1) from the tundish car (12) and the transporting of the tundish (1) into the setting-up area (11) are performed by means of a crane (19).
8. Method according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the demounting of the multi-plug drive (2) from the tundish (1) is performed by means of a manipulator (15).
9. Method according to one of Claims 6 or 8, characterized in that, after demounting the multi-plug drive (2) from the tundish (1), the multi-plug drive (2) is transported into a storage area (10) by means of a manipulator (15).
10. Multi-plug drive (2) for opening and closing a number of plugs (5), comprising:

    - a number of plug drives (3a...3d) for opening and closing a plug (5) independently in each case;

    - a connecting element, preferably a beam (4), on which the number of plug drives (3a...3d) are releasably attached; and

    - fastening means (7, 8a, 8b) for fastening the connecting element (4) on a tundish (1).
11. Multi-strand continuous casting machine (100), in particular for casting long productrs from steel, comprising

    - a casting platform (16) with a number of moulds (14a...14d) for the continuous casting of strands from steel;

    - a tundish car (12), which is displaceable on the casting platform (16) between a casting position and a parking position;

    - a tundish (1) and a multi-plug drive (2) according to Claim 10, wherein the multi-plug drive (2) can be detachably mounted on the tundish (1);

    - a setting-up area (11) for the tundish (1) and a storage area (10) for the multi-plug drive (2), wherein the setting-up area (11) and the storage area (10) are preferably arranged on the casting platform (16);

    - a manipulator (15) for transporting the multi-plug drive (2) from the storage area (10) into the setting-up area (11) and vice versa;

    - a crane (19) for placing on and lifting off the tundish (1) from the tundish car (12); and

    - a control of the continuous casting machine, which can be connected to the multi-plug drive (2).
12. Continuous casting machine according to Claim 11, characterized in that the manipulator (15) is designed for mounting and demounting the multi-plug drive (2).
13. Continuous casting machine according to Claim 12, characterized in that the manipulator (15) has at least one from the group

    - a hoist (17) for lifting off and lowering the multi-plug drive (2);

    - a displacing device (15a, 13) for displacing the manipulator (15) parallel to the casting platform (16).

Images