GB1249784A - Improvements in and relating to casting machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,249,784. Continuous casting machines. SOUTHWIRE CO. 24 Feb., 1970, No. 8813/70. Heading B3F. [Also in Division G3] A continuous casting machine having a rotatable casting wheel with a peripheral groove and a band to close a portion of the groove has a band tensioning device comprising a band support wheel 10 and a support therefor, the support being resiliently responsive to movement of the wheel 10 and including adjusting means to maintain a substantially constant tensioning force as the support responds to movement of the wheel 10, the arrangement being such that the support acts through a single point. The wheel 10 is mounted on a shaft 25 carried by a block 24 which is slidable along the guide rods 19. Also slidable along the guide rods 19 is a plate 41 having a tubular sleeve 42 within which is located a spring 58. Below the spring is a thrust plate 56 and a screw 52 driven by a motor 49. Above the spring 58 is a load cell 60 which supports a block 61 which forms part of a ball and socket connection between the load cell 60 and a member 32 fixed to the block 24. In use, the force exerted by the spring 58 on the wheel 10 is maintained constant by maintaining a constant distance between the thrust plate 56 and the block 24. Any change in this force is sensed by the load cell 60 which provides an output to cause the motor 49 to move the screw 52 and thus the thrust plate 56 either up or down until the required force is restored. Switches ULS-1 and LLS-1 limit the movement of the screw 52.