TW201731607A - Apparatus and method for casting ingots - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for continuous casting comprising a mold (11) configured to at least partly solidify liquid metal and obtain an ingot (P), a support board (16) located downstream of said mold (11) and configured to support a first end (17) of the ingot (P) and to guide the extraction of the ingot (P) from said mold (11), and at least one electromagnetic stirrer (20; 320; 420) configured to induce stirring in the liquid metal.

Description

Apparatus and method for casting ingots

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for casting ingots. In particular, the apparatus and method according to the present disclosure can be applied to the field of vertical semi-continuous casting of ingots, mainly in large size, but does not exclude other sizes.

A device for semi-continuous casting of ingots is known, for example as described in WO-A-2015/101553, which comprises a mould, also called an ingot mould, for example a molten metal from a smelter is introduced into the mould. .

The mold is suitably cooled by known cooling means and the lubricating material is distributed in a known manner over a level (also referred to as a meniscus) above the liquid metal contained in the mold.

The first solidification of the molten metal occurs in the mold to form a solidified layer or skin of the ingot having a self-supporting function. In this way, the ingot can be extracted from the mold even if its core is still liquid.

Known casting equipment also includes a support plate mounted downstream of the mold and configured to receive a partially cured ingot. The support plate can be moved in a controlled manner along a vertical casting axis to allow the ingot to be removed as it is gradually formed in the mold.

The speed of movement of the support plate substantially corresponds to the casting speed of the ingot, which may for example It varies between 0.1 m/min (m/min) and 0.5 m/min depending on the size of the product. In particular, the larger the size of the cast product, the lower the casting speed will be.

It is also known to mount a heating device on the mold, corresponding to a meniscus, such as a burner or induction heater, to supply heat to the liquid metal and to prevent the meniscus from solidifying (also known as freezing). This initial curing during the casting process causes serious problems and drastically reduces the quality of the cast product.

It is for this reason that it is important to carefully control the thermal conditions that maintain the meniscus.

It is also known to associate a magnetic stirrer with a casting apparatus that is configured to induce electromagnetic force into a cast product that moves, agitates, and mixes the liquid metal contained in the mold and/or in the skin of the cured product.

The resulting agitation motion allows homogenization of the internal temperature of the liquid metal and solidification structure and improves the quality of the product obtained.

Foundry equipment is known which includes a magnetic stirrer mounted in a fixed position on the mold, also known as a mold electromagnetic stirrer (M-EMS). The metallurgical function of M-EMS is to stop the solidification formed by dendritic crystals, and since the liquid density is small, the sedimentation of small crystals and the upward filling of the liquid are generated to generate an equiaxed solidified structure.

Casting equipment is also known, which also includes a linear or linear electromagnetic stirrer (S-EMS) mounted downstream of the mold, corresponding to the discharge of metal products from the mold, and final or terminal electromagnetic stirring. Final or end electromagnetic stirrer (F-EMS), which is located in the final solidification zone of the cast product and may move as it solidifies.

In particular, the end electromagnetic stirrer F-EMS is located in a so-called mushy zone in which a mixture of liquid steel and small solidified crystals is present. The mushy zone still has a less high viscosity so that it can be mixed by a stirrer.

The function of the F-EMS is to mix the mushy regions to avoid the formation of small central pores and so-called V-type segregation. V-type segregation accumulates in the final solidification zone when liquid steel segregated between crystals that are no longer moving (segregation refers to a concentration having a higher alloying element) flows downward due to final volume shrinkage before complete solidification.

Once the casting is complete, the linear electromagnetic stirrer and/or the end electromagnetic stirrer can be moved along the cast product to follow the solidification profile and reduce product segregation and center porosity.

During the movement of the electromagnetic stirrer, it is known to provide continuous heating of the meniscus to prevent it from freezing, and thus the upper portion of the ingot is closed when the core is still liquid. The upper closure prevents impurities from reshaping at the surface, which naturally tends to rise towards the meniscus and will result in voids inside the cast product and thus cause significant degradation in the quality of the cast product. In this case, approximately one-third of the cast product must be discarded and melted again.

The above mentioned WO-A-2015/101553 provides a liquid metal for heating the ingot with a graphite electrode placed on top of the cast block while it is always in the mold to ensure that a liquid state is maintained.

However, this solution has the disadvantage that it has a non-uniform composition along its length because the graphite electrode is used up, changing the final composition of the cast product.

Moreover, this solution is not very effective because once the casting is finished, the cast product is continuously cooled by the mold on the one hand, and heated on the other hand to prevent solidification of the meniscus.

Another known solution is described in KR-A-2011.0074153, in which the mold The electromagnetic stirrer can be moved in the casting direction to position it to correspond to or under the mold.

When the casting is interrupted, the product is taken out of the mold, and a magnetic stirrer located corresponding to the mold is moved on the upper portion of the cast product to agitate and heat the molten metal present in the region.

The cooling nozzle is placed below the mold, corresponding to the support plate, and can be moved along the length of the product until the product solidifies.

The casting apparatus is also not very effective because the precise control of the thermal conditions of the liquid metal during casting is particularly complicated.

In fact, electromagnetic stirrers are typically powered by very low frequency electrical energy, typically less than 10 Hertz (Hz).

The magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic stirrer in the liquid metal induces an induced current therein, and the combination of the induced current and the magnetic field generates an electromagnetic force inside the liquid metal, thereby moving the liquid metal. Although the induced current generates heat inside the liquid metal, due to the extremely low power frequency of the electromagnetic stirrer, this heat is too much to ensure a true heating effect.

It is for this reason that the electromagnetic stirrer cannot be used as an induction heating device.

This means obtaining a low quality cast product and discarding a long length of cast product.

The purpose of the present disclosure is to obtain a casting apparatus and a perfect casting method that allows to obtain a high quality cast product.

Another object of the present disclosure is to obtain a casting apparatus that is very efficient and allows precise control of the solidification of the cast product.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present disclosure to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to obtain these and other objects and advantages.

The present disclosure sets forth and characterizes the individual claims, while the dependent claims describe other features of the present disclosure or variations of the main disclosed concepts.

In accordance with the above objects, an apparatus for continuous casting according to the present disclosure includes: a mold configured to at least partially solidify liquid metal and obtain an ingot; a support plate located downstream of the mold and configured to support the ingot a first end of the material, and for guiding the extraction of the ingot from the mold; and at least one electromagnetic stirrer configured to cause agitation in the liquid metal.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, the casting apparatus further includes an operating zone disposed downstream of the mold, and wherein the ingot is positionable relative to a second end of the first end.

The electromagnetic stirrer is configured to agitate the liquid metal still corresponding to the second end and an induction heating device is different from and separate from the electromagnetic stirrer, and is configured to heat the second end of the ingot and can also be positioned Or it is located in the operation area.

Thus, once the casting of the liquid metal is completed, the ingot formed in the mold can be extracted from the mold. In this step, the second end of the ingot has a cured and self-supporting peripheral skin while the interior of the skin remains liquid.

The heating device and the electromagnetic stirrer are respectively used to heat and agitate the liquid metal corresponding to the second end until the solidification curve reaches the end.

This causes non-metallic inclusions and bubbles to spontaneously float to the surface, thus preventing the generation of inclusions and porosity inside the ingot, thereby obtaining a high quality ingot.

Casting equipment is also particularly efficient and efficient.

10‧‧‧ casting equipment

11‧‧‧Mold

12‧‧‧ first end edge

13‧‧‧ second end edge

14‧‧‧ casting cavity

15‧‧‧ Feeding trough

16‧‧‧Support board

17‧‧‧ first end

18‧‧‧ second end

19‧‧‧Operating area

20‧‧‧Electromagnetic stirrer

21‧‧‧ coil

22‧‧‧Mobile components

23‧‧‧Induction heating device

24‧‧‧ spiral

25‧‧‧ Positioning device

26‧‧‧Auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer

27‧‧‧moving components

320‧‧‧Electromagnetic stirrer

322‧‧‧moving components

326‧‧‧Auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer

420‧‧ magnetic stirrer

422‧‧‧moving components

426‧‧‧First Auxiliary Electromagnetic Stirrer

428‧‧‧Second auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer

P‧‧‧Ingots

X‧‧‧ casting shaft

These and other features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the <RTIgt; 1a to 1h show an operational sequence of the casting apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the first variation of Fig. 1; Figs. 2a to 2h show a possible of the casting apparatus of Fig. 2 Operation sequence; Figures 3a to 3h show a possible operational sequence of the casting apparatus of Fig. 2 according to the changes of Figs. 2a to 2h; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the second variation of Fig. 1; 4a to 4h show one possible operational sequence of the casting apparatus of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the third variation of Fig. 1; and Figs. 5a to 5h show the casting apparatus of Fig. 5 A possible sequence of operations.

For ease of understanding, the same reference numerals have been used, where possible, to identify the same common elements in the drawings. It is to be understood that the elements and features of one form of the embodiments may be readily incorporated in other forms of embodiments without further elaboration.

Referring to the drawings, the device for casting the ingot P as a whole is denoted by a symbol 10 Shown and include a mold 11 into which liquid metal is introduced to at least partially cure.

The mold 11 is provided with a first end edge 12 extending through the casting cavity 14 and for introducing liquid metal and a second end edge 13 for removing the formed ingot P.

The mold 11 defines a casting axis X that is disposed substantially vertically, along which the ingot P moves to unload.

Oscillation means and/or cooling means (not shown in the figures) can be associated with the mould 11 in a known manner and are respectively provided for preventing liquid metal from adhering to the casting cavity 14 and maintaining the mechanical resistance characteristics of the mould 11. .

The liquid metal can be supplied to the mold 11 from a container such as a tundish.

The casting apparatus 10 according to the present disclosure includes a support plate 16 located downstream of the mold 11 and configured to support the first end 17 of the ingot P and for guiding the extraction of the ingot P from the mold 11.

The first end 17 of the ingot P substantially corresponds to the first portion of the liquid metal that is cured and removed from the mold 11.

The solidified ingot, also referred to as a dummy bar, can be associated with the support plate 16 having the function of closing the second end 13 of the mold 11 at the beginning of the casting.

The support plate 16 can be moved along the casting axis X to face/away from the mold 11. The movement of the support plate 16 away from the mold 11 defines the take-up speed of the ingot P from the mold 11, thus defining the casting speed.

For this purpose, a moving device (not shown in the figures) can be associated with the support plate 16 and arranged to move the support plate 16 along the casting axis X.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the casting apparatus 10 includes an operating zone 19 located downstream of the mold 11, wherein at the end of the casting step, the second end 18 of the ingot P opposite the first end 17 can be positioned.

In fact, once the casting process is complete, the method according to the present disclosure provides for the second end 18 to be placed outside of the mold 11 to complete the curing as described below.

The positioning of the second end 18 outside the mold 11 allows the meniscus of the liquid present in the ingot P to be frozen and allows the cooling function of the mold 11 to be stopped, thereby increasing the efficiency of the apparatus 10.

According to one possible solution, the second end 18 of the ingot P is positioned in the operating zone 19 by moving the ingot P using the support plate 16.

According to the changes described below, it can be provided that the second end 18 of the ingot P is located in the operating zone 19 by moving the mould 11.

According to another variation, movement can be provided for the mold 11 and the support plate 16 to position the second end 18 in accordance with the operating zone 19.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the operating zone 19 is aligned with the casting axis X and downstream of the mold 11, such as below the second end edge 13 of the mold 11.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the casting apparatus 10 includes a magnetic stirrer 20 configured to induce an electromagnetic force in the cast liquid metal to enable a mixing action to be performed on the cast liquid metal. The mixing action homogenizes the solidification of the liquid metal, preventing impurities and bubbles from being embedded in the solidification front and promoting the floating of the impurities or bubbles to the meniscus.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the electromagnetic stirrer 20 is associated with the mold 11 and mixes at least a portion of the liquid metal contained therein.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the electromagnetic agitator 20 is disposed outside the mold 11 so as to surround its periphery. In this case, the electromagnetic stirrer 20 is basically used as a mold electromagnetic stirrer or M-EMS.

The electromagnetic stirrer 20 is provided with one or more coils 21 which are wound around the mold 11 with their spirals. Each coil 21 is electrically powered to induce an electromagnetic force on the liquid metal during transport.

According to a possible solution, the electromagnetic stirrer 20 is of a rotary type, i.e. it produces a rotating electromagnetic force around an axis corresponding to the casting axis. The electromagnetic stirrer 20 can be powered with two or three phase alternating current electrical energy at a very low frequency (typically less than 10 Hz).

The magnetic field generated by the electromagnetic stirrer 20 in the liquid metal induces an induced current therein, and the combination of the induced current and the magnetic field generates an electromagnetic force for moving the liquid metal inside the liquid metal.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the moving member 22 is associated with the electromagnetic stirrer 20 and is configured to bring the electromagnetic stirrer 20 to the first operational position or the second operational position. In the first operational position, the electromagnetic stirrer 20 surrounds the mold 11, and in the second operational position, the electromagnetic stirrer 20 corresponds to the operating zone 19.

Thus, at the time of casting, the electroforming agitator 20 continuously agitates the liquid metal contained in the mold 11. When the ingot P is removed from the mold 11, the electroforming agitator 20 mixes the liquid metal present corresponding to the second end 18 of the ingot P.

The moving member 22 can include a guide, a drive member, a linear actuator, a motion mechanism, a hinge mechanism, or a similar or equivalent member suitable for the purpose.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the casting apparatus 10 includes an induction heating device 23, The induction heating device 23 is different and separate from the electromagnetic agitator 20 and is configured to heat the second end 18 of the ingot P when the ingot P is outside the mold 11.

The induction heating device 23 can be positioned or positioned to correspond to the operating zone 19 so as to surround the second end 18 of the ingot P.

The induction heating device 23 can include one or more spirals 24 that are disposed to surround the second end 18 of the ingot P during use and are electrically powered to produce the desired thermal energy.

According to a possible solution, the induction heating device 23 is powered by electrical energy having a frequency comprised between about 100 Hertz (Hz) and a few kilohertz, for example comprising a frequency between about 100 Hz and about 10,000 Hz.

The induction heating device 23 induces an induced current in the liquid metal that circulates in the opposite plane and in the opposite direction to the spiral 24.

The induced current is concentrated outside the product and does not penetrate the inside of the product due to its high frequency. The induced current produces a heating effect between about 50% and 70%. The magnetic field generated by the induction heating device 23 produces a pulsed radial force on the liquid metal, so there is no agitation function on the liquid metal.

According to a possible solution, the induction heating device 23 can be associated with a positioning device 25 that is configured to position the induction heating device 23 in an operational state and a non-operational state. In this operating state, the induction heating device is in the operating zone to heat the second end 18 of the ingot P. In the non-operating state, the induction heating device is disposed at a position that does not interfere with the extraction of the ingot from the mold.

In the operating state, the induction heating device 23 surrounds the ingot P.

In the non-operating state, the induction heating device 23 is disposed outside the operation area 19, In order not to interfere with the movement of the ingot P, and to prevent possible damage due to the high heat flow that the ingot P itself can be transferred to the induction heating device 23.

The positioning device 25 can be configured to position the induction heating device 23 above the electromagnetic stirrer 20. In this way, it ensures that the liquid metal present corresponding to the second end 18 does not solidify, thereby closing the shrink cone.

Referring to Figures 1a through 1h, an operational sequence of the casting apparatus 10 of Figure 1 is shown.

Figures 1a through 1b show the function of the casting apparatus 10 during the casting step in which liquid metal flows out of the feed tank 15 into the mold 11. During this step, the support plate 16 moves away from the mold 11 to facilitate extraction of the ingot P, and the electromagnetic agitator 20 is driven to agitate the liquid metal present in the mold 11. In this case, the electromagnetic stirrer 20 is in its first operational state in which it surrounds the mold 11 and the induction heating device 23 is in a non-operating state between the ingot P and the mold 11.

Once the casting step is completed (Fig. 1c), the support plate 16 is moved to take out the ingot P from the mold 11, and the second end 18 of the ingot P is disposed corresponding to the operation area 19. The operating zone 19 can be spaced from the mold 11 by a distance sufficient to allow the induction heating device 23 to pass without interference.

In this operating state (Fig. 1d and Fig. 1e), both the electromagnetic stirrer 20 and the induction heating device 23 are located in the operating zone 19 so as to surround the second end 18 of the ingot P.

Specifically, the electromagnetic stirrer 20 and the induction heating device 23 are sequentially inserted through the second end 18 of the ingot P such that they are successively positioned along the casting axis X to affect the ingot corresponding to the second end 18. The length of the material.

Subsequently, the solidification of the ingot P (Fig. 1f, 1g, and 1h) is completed. The magnetic stirrer 20 and induction heating device 23 are maintained in the operating zone 19 until the solidification profile reaches the vicinity of the second end 18 of the ingot P (Fig. 1h).

The solidification of the ingot P can occur naturally by being held outside the mold 11, or forcibly occurring, for example, using a cooling device.

According to a possible embodiment (as shown in Fig. 2), and in combination with the embodiment described in Fig. 1, it can be provided that the casting apparatus 10 comprises an auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 26, the auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 26 being associated with Near the support plate 16 and having the function of agitating at least the liquid metal present or adjacent to the first end 17 of the ingot P.

The auxiliary electromagnetic agitator 26 is substantially similar to the electromagnetic agitator 20 described above and may be equivalent to the end electromagnetic stirrer F-EMS described above. In particular, the auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 26 can be located in the so-called pasty region described above.

Depending on the possible solution, the auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 26 can be associated with the moving member 27 (shown schematically by dashed lines in Figures 2d, 2e and 2f) and arranged for use along the ingot P The longitudinal extension of the mobile auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 26.

As shown in Figures 2a through 2h, the casting process is different from the description of Figures 1a through 1h. Once the casting is finished, or possibly during casting, the auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 26 is driven to agitate the liquid metal (Fig. 2b, 2d and 2e) corresponding to the first end 17 of the ingot, and along The longitudinal extension of the ingot P is moved upward (Fig. 2f, 2g and 2h) to follow the solidification profile of the liquid metal present in the ingot and is moved below, directly adjacent to the electromagnetic stirrer 20. This solution prevents the formation of a closed airbag of the liquid material in the solidified ingot P, which may cause porosity and prevent the formation of V-type segregation.

Referring to Figures 3a through 3h, the possible variations of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 are shown. The electromagnetic stirrer is represented by symbol numeral 320 and is associated with the support plate 16 and is not associated with the mold 11. In this case, during the casting step, the electromagnetic stirrer 320 acts as an end electromagnetic stirrer F-EMS.

According to the embodiment of Figures 3a through 3h, the auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer is indicated by symbol 326 and associated with the mold 11.

Specifically, referring to Figures 3b through 3h, the electromagnetic stirrer 320 is associated with a respective moving member 322 that is configured to move the electromagnetic stirrer 320 along the longitudinal extension of the ingot P and is interrupted when the casting step is interrupted At least, it corresponds to the operation area 19.

This variation is preferred if the auxiliary electromagnetic agitator 326 remains fixed or incorporated into the mold 11 around the mold 11 for mechanical reasons of the casting machine design and therefore cannot be moved.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 3a through 3h, the auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 326 is associated with the mold 11 and remains in this position during and after the entire casting process. Therefore, the auxiliary electromagnetic agitator 326 functions as a mold electromagnetic stirrer M-EMS.

Once the casting step is over (Fig. 3c). The second end 18 of the ingot P is located in the operating zone 19. This positioning in the operating zone 19 can be performed by moving the mold 11 and/or by removing the ingot P from the mold 11.

In this case, the electromagnetic agitator 320 is moved to the operating zone 19 from which the induction heating device 23 is in its non-operating state to its operating state to heat the second end 18 of the ingot P. The induction heating device 23 is located above the electromagnetic agitator 320 according to the scheme shown in Figures 3e to 3h.

During the solidification of the ingot P, both the induction heating device 23 and the electromagnetic agitator 320 are held in the operating zone 19.

Referring to Figure 4, another embodiment of the present disclosure is described in which a magnetic stirrer It is represented by symbol mark 420.

According to this embodiment, the electromagnetic stirrer 420 acts as a linear electromagnetic stirrer or S-EMS, at least during casting.

The electromagnetic agitator 420 is associated with a moving member 422 that is configured to cause the electromagnetic agitator 420 to at least reach the operating zone 19. In particular, it may be provided that the moving member 422 can move along the longitudinal extension of the ingot P. For example, it may be provided that at the beginning of casting (Fig. 4a), a magnetic stirrer 420 is located adjacent the support plate 16 to agitate the liquid metal present in the first end 17 of the ingot P.

During casting (Figs. 4b and 4c), the electromagnetic stirrer 420 can be moved along the longitudinal extension of the ingot P to be positioned at an intermediate position along the length of the ingot P, and to continuously agitate the liquid present therein. metal.

At the end of casting (Fig. 4d), the electromagnetic stirrer 420 is moved to dispose it in the operating zone 19. In this operating state, the induction heating device 23 is also positioned in the operating zone 19 in substantially the same manner as described in the above embodiments.

According to the solution illustrated in FIG. 4, the casting apparatus 10 includes a first auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 426 associated with the mold 11 and a second auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 428 corresponding at least to the support plate 16.

The first auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 426 is integrally mounted with the mold 11, and as shown in Figs. 4a to 4c, is used as a mold electromagnetic stirrer M-EMS during casting.

The second auxiliary electromagnetic agitator 428 is associated with the moving member, in which case the same moving member 422 of the electromagnetic agitator 420 is configured to move the second auxiliary electromagnetic agitator 428 along the longitudinal extension of the ingot P. In this way, after the casting is interrupted, the second auxiliary electromagnetic The agitator 428 can follow the solidification profile of the liquid metal still contained in the ingot P, moving below the electromagnetic agitator 420.

In the present embodiment, the induction heating device 23 can also be moved from the non-operating state to the operating state by the positioning device 25.

Referring to Figures 5 and 5a through 5g, the casting apparatus 10 includes the electromagnetic stirrer 420, the first auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 426, and the second auxiliary electromagnetic in substantially the same manner as described in Figures 4a through 4h. Agitator 428.

According to this embodiment, the induction heating device 23 is mounted in alignment with the casting axis X and remains in this position throughout the casting process. Therefore, once the casting is finished, there is no need to be positioned in the operating zone 19 because it has been placed in this zone.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 5a to 5g, during induction, the induction heating device 23 remains stationary, while the moving member 422 is moved along the longitudinal extension of the ingot P to move the electromagnetic stirrer 420 to agitate Liquid metal in the middle of the ingot P.

The first auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 426 and the second auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer 428 are activated to agitate the liquid metal respectively corresponding to the mold 11 and corresponding to the first end 17 of the ingot P.

The second auxiliary electromagnetic agitator 428 can also move along the longitudinal extension of the ingot P (eg, by the same moving member 422) to follow the solidification profile.

When the casting is finished, the second end 18 of the ingot P is disposed outside the mold 11 by moving the mold 11 and/or the ingot P itself with the support plate 16.

In this case, the second end 18 finds itself corresponding to the operating zone 19 in which the induction heating means 23 is already present.

The electromagnetic agitator 420 is moved by the moving member 422 to bring it to the operating zone 19, and therefore, we have a combined action of agitating and heating the liquid metal (Figs. 5d to 5f).

When the solidification profile is about to reach the second end 18 of the ingot P, the second auxiliary electromagnetic agitator 428 moves along the longitudinal extension of the ingot P until it is located near the operating zone 19.

It will be apparent that modifications and/or additions of components to the apparatus 10 and method for casting ingots as described above may be made without departing from the scope and scope of the present disclosure.

For example, it may be provided that the casting apparatus 10 according to the present disclosure further includes a heat insulating device (not shown) that can be positioned in the operating area 19 when the ingot P is taken out of the mold 11. The thermal insulation device is configured to prevent any heat dispersion of the heat generated by the liquid metal still present in the ingot P when being withdrawn from the mold 11. The thermal insulation device can be positioned to cover the second end 18 of the ingot P, at least at the top, and thus disposed above the induction heating device 23 and above the electromagnetic agitators 20, 320, 420.

Therefore, the heat insulating device allows the efficiency of the induction heating device 23 to be improved.

As an alternative and/or combination of thermal insulation means, it may be provided that once the casting is finished and the ingot P has been removed from the mould 11, the second end 18 of the ingot P is covered with a covering powder having an insulating function or with a heat releasing powder. Covered to maintain the heat of the liquid metal present in the area.

It will also be apparent that although the disclosure has been described with reference to a few specific examples, those of ordinary skill in the art can of course implement many other equivalents of apparatus 10 and methods for casting ingots, which are set forth in the scope of the patent application. The features, and therefore all, fall within the scope of protection thus defined.

10‧‧‧ casting equipment

11‧‧‧Mold

12‧‧‧ first end edge

13‧‧‧ second end edge

14‧‧‧ casting cavity

15‧‧‧ Feeding trough

16‧‧‧Support board

17‧‧‧ first end

18‧‧‧ second end

19‧‧‧Operating area

20‧‧‧Electromagnetic stirrer

21‧‧‧ coil

22‧‧‧Mobile components

23‧‧‧Induction heating device

24‧‧‧ spiral

25‧‧‧ Positioning device

P‧‧‧Ingots

X‧‧‧ casting shaft

Claims (13)

An apparatus for continuous casting, comprising: a mold (11) configured to at least partially solidify liquid metal, and obtain a stock (P); a support plate (16) located downstream of the mold (11), And configured to support a first end (17) of the ingot (P), and to guide extraction of the ingot (P) from the mold (11); and at least one electromagnetic stirrer (20, 320, 420) ) configured to cause agitation in the liquid metal, wherein at the end of the casting, the apparatus further comprises: an operating zone (19) disposed downstream of the mold (11), and wherein the ingot (P) A second end (18) can be located in the operating zone, the second end (18) is opposite the first end (17); the electromagnetic stirrer (20, 320, 420) is configured to agitate still corresponding There is a liquid metal of the second end (18) and can be positioned or positioned in the operating zone (19); and an induction heating device (23) that is different from the electromagnetic stirrer (20, 320, 420) and Separately, and configured to heat the second end (18) of the ingot (P), it may also be positioned or positioned in the operating zone (19). The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mold (11) defines a casting shaft (X) for casting the ingot (P), and wherein the operating zone (19) is opposite the casting axis (X) quasi. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the induction heating device (23) is associated with a positioning device (25) configured to position the induction heating device (23) in an operational state and a non-operating state in which the induction heating device is in the operating zone (19), and wherein in the non-operating state, the inductive heating device is disposed without interfering with extracting the ingot from the mold (11) (P) location. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the induction heating device (23) is disposed above the electromagnetic stirrer (20). The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moving member (22) is associated with the electromagnetic stirrer (20) and configured to bring the electromagnetic stirrer (20) to a first operational position or a second operating position, wherein in the first operating position, the electromagnetic stirrer (20) surrounds the mold (11), and in the second operating position, the electromagnetic stirrer (20) is disposed in the operating area (19) in. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises an auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer (26) associated with at least the support plate (16) to agitate the first portion present in the ingot (P) Liquid metal in one end (17). The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer (26) is associated with a moving member (27) for controlling the auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer (26) along the ingot The longitudinal extension of (P) moves. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electromagnetic stirrer (320, 420) is associated with the support plate (16) and associated with a respective moving member (322, 422) The respective moving member is configured to move the electromagnetic stirrer (322, 422) along a longitudinal extension of the ingot (P) and to correspond at least to the operating zone (19). The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the apparatus comprises: a first auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer (426) associated with the mold (11); and a second auxiliary electromagnetic stirrer (428) Positioned at least corresponding to the support plate (16) and associated with a moving member (422) configured to move the second auxiliary along the longitudinal extension of the ingot (P) Electromagnetic stirrer (428). The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the induction heating device (23) is mounted in alignment with the casting shaft (X). A continuous casting process for casting a liquid metal in a mold (11) to at least partially cure it, and by means of a support plate (16) located downstream of the mold (11), the ingot (P) A first end (17) is placed on the support plate (16) to obtain an ingot (P) taken from the mold (11), wherein the method further comprises using at least one electromagnetic stirrer (20, 320, 420) Agitating the liquid metal, wherein once the casting of the liquid metal is completed, providing a second end (18) of the ingot (P) is positioned in the operating zone (19), the second end (18) One end (17) is opposite and located outside the mold (11), and the second end (18) is associated to the at least one electromagnetic stirrer (20, 320, 420), and an induction heating device (23) Different from and separate from the electromagnetic stirrer (20, 320, 420), the liquid metal present at the second end (18) is separately stirred and heated. The method of claim 11, wherein the second end (18) of the ingot (P) is positioned in the operating zone (19) by moving the support plate (16). The method of claim 11, wherein at the end of the casting, the electromagnetic stirrer (20, 320, 420) is positioned in the second end (18) and is in a relative position The internal position of the induction heating device (23) is further.