GB1319328A - Method and apparatus for altering the cross-sections of continu ously cast metal pieces - Google Patents

Abstract

1319328 Continuous casting NIPPON STEEL CORP 23 Dec 1970 [29 Dec 1969 16 April 1970 (2) 22 April 1970 12 June 1970] 61069/70 Heading B3F In order to change the width of a continuously cast strand during the casting process, metal is cast in a water-cooled mould of which two upper reactions 6, 6<SP>1</SP> of the water-cooled side walls can be adjusted towards or away from each other to change the upper width of the mould (e.g. as in Fig. 13) before two lower sections 7, 7<SP>1</SP> of those sides are similarly adjusted to complete the change of size of the mould cavity. At least one of the water-cooled face walls of the mould is in two sections 3, 4, and the two sections shown are each movable, manually or by motor, through screw gears, Fig. 3 (not shown), or piston and cylinder, towards the other watercooled and fixed face wall 2. This translation of a face wall, e.g. in the case of screw gears with a final movement of shafts (within hollow shafts of the screw gears) by tapered cotters (28) or cam, clamps the side walls between the walls 2 and 3, 4. The final pressure is removed when the side walls are to be adjusted. The latter are moved, by screw gears, Figs. 5, 6 (not shown). To change the casting width, with casting proceeding between the lower sections 7, 7<SP>1</SP>, one of the upper sections 6, 6<SP>1</SP> is moved or both are moved equal or unequal distances, e.g. to narrow their spacing, Fig. 13(b). Reciprocation of the mould and casting withdrawal are both stopped (the reciprocation may be stopped before the section movement) and pouring, through tundish spouts 75, is increased to raise the melt level, Fig. 13(c), and the tundish and spouts are raised. Withdrawal is resumed and when the casting shoulder F is clear enough, reciprocation is resumed and finally the lower wall sections 7, 7<SP>1</SP> are aligned with the upper sections 6, 6<SP>1</SP>. The tundish spouts and melt level may then be lowered to between the lower sections again if required. The lower face-wall section 4 is slidably mounted on bars 45, Fig. 2, passing through lugs 44 on the walls 2 and 4 but is vertically clamped on the bars together with the top section 3, e.g. by cotters or cams or by levers 47 pivoted at 48 on the frame of the screw gear mechanism 10 for moving the wall sections 3, 4. The levers 47 when pressed down by cylinders or cams or wedged, Fig. 7 (not shown), beneath lugs 49, on a back fixing 8 for the wall 2, press on lugs 46 on the wall section 3. The side walls 6, 7 and 6<SP>1</SP>, 7<SP>1</SP> are similarly clamped, by a lever 54 pivoted at 55 on the fixing 8 and pressed on to brackets 52 on the wall sections 6, 6<SP>1</SP> so that the walls are held between the levers 54 and bars 45 on which rest brackets 53 on the sections 7, 7<SP>1</SP>. Cooling water from jackets at the backs of the mould sections, Figs. 8-11 (not shown), flow through parallel duct loops in the section walls. The casting machine is controlled by a device 78, Fig. 12, which receives a signal, corresponding to the level of melt in the mould 1, from a radio-active-ray detector 77, and a signal related to the speed of withdrawal rolls 81, from a pulse transmitter 82. Controlling signals are issued to operate the tundish stoppers 80, a tundish-lift drive 84 and a roll drive 83.