US3528487A - Continuous casting machine - Google Patents

Continuous casting machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US3528487A
US3528487A US643562A US3528487DA US3528487A US 3528487 A US3528487 A US 3528487A US 643562 A US643562 A US 643562A US 3528487D A US3528487D A US 3528487DA US 3528487 A US3528487 A US 3528487A
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Prior art keywords
mold
mold section
mold sections
casting
cavity
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US643562A
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Inventor
James N Wognum
Emil Simich
Alvin L Winkler
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Acme Steel Co
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Interlake Steel Corp
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Assigned to INTERLAKE COMPANIES, THE, A CORP. OF DE reassignment INTERLAKE COMPANIES, THE, A CORP. OF DE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: ACME STEEL COMPANY
Assigned to ACME STEEL COMPANY reassignment ACME STEEL COMPANY MERGER (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: INTERLAKE, INC.
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D11/00—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
    • B22D11/04—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into open-ended moulds
    • B22D11/041—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into open-ended moulds for vertical casting
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D11/00—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
    • B22D11/04—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths into open-ended moulds
    • B22D11/053—Means for oscillating the moulds
    • B22D11/0535—Means for oscillating the moulds in a horizontal plane

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the art of continuous casting and particularly relates to improvements in continuous casting in a machine of the vibrating mold type as, for example, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,075,264 in the name of James N. Wognum.
  • the type of continuous casting machine is one having a cavity extending longitudinally through it, the cavity being open at its opposite ends and formed by the inside surfaces of a plurality of vibrating mold sections located around the cavity, one of the open ends of the cavity being the receiving end through which molten metal can be introduced into the cavity and the other end being for discharge of the metal after it is solidfied as a casting as it passes through the cavity.
  • the mold sections may be vibrated in closed orbital paths to drive the casting being formed in the cavity through the cavity.
  • Water spray cooling is in some instances objectionable because it does not permit the casting to be transported directly from the mold into a controlled atmosphere for purposes of retaining a bright finish on the surface of the casting.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide flexible mold sections which are connected only at one end to the mold section support structure. This permits the mold sections to freely lengthen and shorten longitudinally as heating and cooling occur. This further minimizes the stresses due to temperature differentials causing thermal expansion and contraction.
  • These improved corner inserts are made flexible and provided with relatively flexible backings which may be further backed by resilient members urging the corner inserts into intimate contact against the mold sections and thereby seal the flow of liquid metal from between the interfaces adjacent mold sections and corner inserts to follow the changeable contours of the flexible mold sections.
  • These proximity or sensing devices provide sig- 4 nals for detecting and indicating this information while the mold is in operation. This is important because it is necessary for accuracy that the mold sections be adjusted dynamically during the casting operations so that the mold sections are accurately relocated to the changing sizes of shrinking or expanding portions of the moving casting while the casting is being progressively cooled.
  • FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of continuous casting machine made according to the invention in the form of a modular unit
  • FIG. la shows a cross-sectional view of a spring retaining means employed with the unit of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 2 shows a horizontal cross section of the major functional parts of the mold portion of the preferred embodiment of the continuous casting machine shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 shows a perspective view, primarily from the rear, of a mold section support and the mold section it supports;
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view, primarily of the front portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective exploded, partially cutaway and partial sectional view of a mold section and its related components separate from its support indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4;
  • FIG. 5a shows a cutaway sectional view of an alternate construction of mold section to that shown in FIG. 5;
  • FIG. 5b shows a partially cutaway sectional and exploded perspective view of one form of resilient cushion employed as a backup for a mold section;
  • FIG. 50 shows a cutaway portion in section of an alternative form of resilient backup means for mold section.
  • FIG. 5a' shows a cutaway portion in section of still another alternative form of resilient backup means.
  • FIG. 52 shows a cutaway portion in section of still another alternative form of resilient backup means.
  • FIG. 6 shows a partially cutaway sectional and perspective view of a linkage box, including the linkages and drive shafts for vibrating a mold section;
  • FIG. 6a shows a sectional view along the line 6a-6a of FIG. 6;
  • FIG. 7 shows a partially exploded perspective cutaway and sectional view of a corner insert and mounting structure for it.
  • FIG. 7a shows a partially cutaway and sectional view I of the lower portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7.
  • the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 consists of an entire continuous casting machine 1 containing all of the basic components of the machine in a modular unit.
  • the machine is provided with an upper rigid plate 2 and a lower rigid plate 3 which are spaced from each other and extend in planes parallel to each other.
  • the upper plate is provided with four grooves 4 extending at right angles to each other and radially outward from the center line 5 of the casting machine.
  • the lower plate 3 is also provided with four radially extending grooves 6 which extend directly opposite the grooves 4.
  • These grooves 4 and 6 function as keyways for relatively long rectangular keys 7 (FIG. 6) which are also keyed into grooves 8 provided in the upper and lower surfaces 9 and 10 respectively, of a linkage box 11.
  • there are four linkage boxes 11 because there are four mold sections operated. Of course, if fewer or more mold sections are employed, there will be required a linkage box 11 for each mold section to be vibrated.
  • linkage boxes 11 are suitably positioned and located radially between the upper and lower plates 2 and 3 and then secured in place suitably by means of screws 12 extending through the plates 2 and 3 and the keys 7 and into the upper surfaces 9 of the linkage boxes 11.
  • each linkage box 11 Surrounding each linkage box 11 is a mold section support 13 which is driven by means of the linkage and shafts contained therein, as hereinafter more fully described.
  • Each of the mold section supports 13 supports a mold section 14.
  • Each mold section support 13, particularly shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, consists of a longitudinal frame member 15 joined to two side plates 16.
  • the side plates are substantially triangularly shaped andprovided with a rear brace 17 bridging between them.
  • the frame member .15, the side walls 16 and the rear brace 17 are suitably connected by welding or screws into an integral box-like shape.
  • the upper regions of the side plates 16 are provided with round openings 18 and the lower portions are provided with other round openings 19. As hereinafter described, these openings 18 and 19 provide journals for the ends of certain shafts which are driven through orbital paths to cause the mold section supports 13 to move through corresponding orbital paths.
  • each mold section 14 is supported by a frame member 15.
  • Each of these frame members 15 is provided with a T-shaped groove 21 extending for its entire length.
  • This groove 21 is bounded by two inwardly extending lips 22 having rear surfaces 23 against which edge flanges 24 of each mold section can abut as a limit on the movement of the mold section inwardly toward the center line of the mold cavity.
  • a rear wall 25 of the frame member 15 provides the bottom surface of the T-shaped groove 21.
  • each mold section 14 is spaced from the rear wall 25 by means of an inflatable cushion or pillow in the form of a tube 26 which can be inflated to bear against the mold section 14 and urge it inwardly toward the center of the mold cavity.
  • an inflatable cushion or pillow in the form of a tube 26 which can be inflated to bear against the mold section 14 and urge it inwardly toward the center of the mold cavity.
  • a flat stainless steel strip 27a is positioned between the rear wall 14b and the front wall 26a of the cushion 26.
  • the purpose of the inflatable cushion 26 is to provide a continual pressure substantially uniformly along the entire length of a mold section 14 to counteract any tendency of the mold section .14 to objectionably bow or otherwise warp and to allow the mold section 14 to be displaced relative to its frame member 15 when the inside surfaces 14a of the mold sections are brought firmly into contact against the surface 20a of the casting 20.
  • corner inserts for minimizing leakage at the corner regions between the mold sections 14.
  • these corner inserts 27 are of 6 substantially square cross section and positioned between the side walls of adjacent mold sections 14 to bridge the corners 28 of the casting 20.
  • a T-shaped backing plate 29 is provided with its leading edge abutting against the insert 27.
  • This backing plate has two shoulder surfaces 30 which are limited in their movement toward the center of the mold cavity by other shoulders 31 on a frame member 32 which are surfaces of a T-shaped groove 33 extending longitudinally along the frame member 32.
  • corner insert 27 are preferably made of small cross section, as indicated, and of a material such as graphite which has a smooth surface and is a good heat conductor.
  • FIG. 5 One embodiment of the mounting construction for a mold section is shown in FIG. 5.
  • the frame member 15 is also substantially T-shaped with flange portions 15a providing the means for securing the side walls 16 thereto.
  • the central region of the frame member 15 is pro vided with a bore 36 through which coolant fluid is introduced for maintaining the temperature of the mold section 14 at its proper level.
  • a manifold 37 Secured to the rear lower face of the frame member 15 is a manifold 37 which carries suitable openings for the proper introduction of coolant and air under pressure.
  • the manifold has an opening 38 leading to the bore 36, an opening 39 leading to the bore 40 and an opening '41 leading to the bore 42.
  • Air under pressure is introduced through the opening 39 into the bore 40 where it passes through the central bore 47 of a tube 48 around which the tubular stem 49 of the inflatable cushion 26 is positioned to allow the cushion 26 to be inflated.
  • This provides the resilient backup for the mold section 14, as previously described upon reference to FIG. 2.
  • a suitable packing plug 50 is provided in an enlarged portion 51 of the bore 40 in order to suitably retain the pin 48 and the tubular stem 49.
  • the inflatable cushion 26 extends for a substantial distance from adjacent the bottom of the frame member 15 to a location indicated at 52.
  • the mold section 14 is unrestrained in longitudinal sliding movement relative to the frame member 15 except at the upper end of the frame member 15 where suitable retaining means is provided from which the mold section 14 is hung.
  • This retaining means consists of a retainer block 53 which is provided with a hollow bore 54 which connects with the bore 36 of the frame member 15 at an abutting region 55.
  • the bore 54 has a front surface 56 which closely abuts the rear surface 14b of the mold section 14.
  • a transverse rectangularly shaped key 57 extends in suitable keyways 58 and 59 provided in the mold section 14 and the retainer block 53 respectively.
  • the retainer block 53 is keyed to the mold section 14 and manually together they are lowered into place from the upper end of the frame member 15. After positioning, set screws 60 threaded through openings in the upper rear portion 15b of the frame member 15 are tightened against the rear wall 53a of the retainer block 53.
  • an upper end cap 61 is positioned against the upper end of the retainer block 53 and upper end of the portion 15b of the frame member 15 and held in place by means of screws 62 as a further retaining means for the retainer block 53.
  • the bore 54 of the retainer block 53 is L-shaped to lead into the upper ends of the bores 140 of the mold section 14 so that there can be a complete circuit of flow of coolant through the frame member 15, the retainer block 53 and the mold section 14.
  • O-rings are provided to prevent leakage.
  • an O-ring 63 is provided at the upper end of the assembly between the bore 54 of the retainer block 53 and the bores 140 of the mold section 14.
  • the mold section 14 is truly hung from the upper end of the frame member 15 and it is free to expand and contract longitudinally as it is guided in the T-shaped opening 21 of the frame member 15. This lack of restraint, minimizes the tendency to bow or warp which is evident in mold constructions having fully restrained mold sections.
  • a plunger 64 is provided in the bore 42.
  • the plunger 64 is provided with a helical spring 65 encircled about it which reacts against a Wall 66 of the frame member 15 and an annular flange 67 on the plunger 64.
  • the spring 65 urges the plunger toward the opening 41 in the manifold 37.
  • the air pressure urges the plunger 64/ in a direction away from the opening 41 in the manifold 37 and toward the mold section 14.
  • the end of the plunger 64 is provided with an O- ring 70 which is thereby urged into intimate contact around the openings leading to the bores 14c of the mold section 14 to thereby provide a fluid type connection.
  • the air pressure is removed from the bore 40 which relieves the pressure in the inflatable cushion 26 and against the annular flange 67 of the plunger 64 so that the spring return relieves the pressure of the O-ring 70 from against the mold section 14.
  • the mold section 14 can be removed from the upper end of the assembly.
  • the proximity device 46 is one which provides a signal in the form of a change in D.C. voltage when there is a change in the presence of metal adjacent the front surface 46a of a detector 46b.
  • a suitable proximity device is one which can be purchased from Bently Nevada Corp., Box 157, One Airport Road, Minden, Nev.
  • the change in presence of metal is sensed by the detector 46b which is connected by the wires 45 to a detector driver 46c which has a D.C. voltage output which varies with the change in presence of metal at the detector.
  • the variation in voltage output can be visually indicated on a meter 46d.
  • a proximity device 46 is provided in each mold section support 15 and there is a corresponding detector driver 46c and meter 46a for each proximity device 46.
  • the mold sections 14 are placed in their orbital vibratory paths by means of their mold section supports 15 suitably driven through the drive systems mentioned by means of the motors 140.
  • the inflatable tubes 26 keep the mold sections 14 pressed radially toward the center of the mold so that the edge flanges 24 of each mold section abut against the rear surfaces 23 of the inwardly extending lips 22 on the mold section supports 15.
  • the metal casting travels through the mold cavity of the machine.
  • the metal adjacent the top of the mold fills the cavity and presses against the inside surfaces 14a of the upper ends of the mold sections 14.
  • the eccentric adjustments are made on the pins 130 to adjust the links 133 radially inwardly toward the center line 5 of the mold cavity until the inside surfaces 14a of the mold sections contact the casting.
  • the indication that contact has been made by a mold section against the casting is when a cyclical pulsing of increasing and decreasing voltage appears on the meter 46d. This signifies that the mold section 14 is cyclically pressing against the casting as its edge flanges 24 reciprocate away from and toward the lips 22 of the mold section support 15.
  • the eccentrics on the pins 130 are adjusted until the cyclical voltage variations on the meters 46d are pronounced and then the eccentric adjustments are made until the cyclical voltage variations are minimal. That point is reached when the edge flanges 24 of the mold sections 14 no longer reciprocate back and forth away from the lips 22 of the mold section supports 15.
  • the proximity device 77 indicated in FIG. 5a is of the same kind as proximity device 46 and it is suitably con nected by Wires to a detector driver and a meter similar to items 460 and 46d for proper operation. Its adjustment is in an identical manner for the mold section 72 as for the mold section 14 when employing the proximity device 46.
  • FIG. 5a As an alternate to the mold section support indicated in FIG. 5, there is another embodiment shown in FIG. 5a. There are basically the same components but their structures are somewhat different. There is a manifold 71 corresponding to the manifold 37, mold section 72 corresponding to the mold section 14, a frame member 73 corresponding to the mold section 14, a frame member 73 corresponding to frame member 15, an inflatable cushion 74 corresponding to inflatable cushion 26, a bore 75 through the frame member 73 corresponding to bore 36, a bore 76 corresponding to bore 40, a proximity device 77 corresponding to the same device 46 and a plunger 78 corresponding to plunger 64. There is also a spring 79 which acts reversely of the spring 65. Spring 79 urges the plunger 78 toward the mold section 72 rather than away from it, as does spring 65.
  • the lower end of the mold section 72 is provided with a sloped surface 80 which reacts against the leading sur face 81 of the plunger 78 which is urged against the mold section 72.
  • the plunger surface 81 is likewise directed along the same angular inclination as the surface 80 and the plunger 78 is guided in a bore 82 which is similarly sloped and which carries the spring 79.
  • the mold section 72 is suspended from the upper end of the assembly.
  • the upper end of the mold section 72 is provided with a keyway 83 which engages with a shoulder 84 of a retainer block 85.
  • the retainer block 85 has a sloped bottom surface 86 which mates with a correspondingly sloped surface 87 at the upper end of the frame member 72.
  • the mold section 72 is assembled to the retainer block '85 by engaging the shoulder 84 with the keyways 83.
  • the mold section 72 is then lowered into a T-shaped slot corresponding to the slot 21 in the frame member 15.
  • Another surface 86 bottoms on the surface 87 and further downward urging of the retainer block 85 causes tighter engagement of the shoulder 84 in the keyway 83. This provides an insured tightness.
  • an end 88 is positioned above the retainer block 85 and secured in place by means of screws 89 extending through the cap 88 and the frame member 73.
  • the inflatable cushion 26 can be made of molded plastic or rubber in a single piece
  • the inflatable member 74 is shown to be of a different construction. As indicated in FIGS. a and 5b, it consists of a flattened tube 74a as a main body portion which can be made of thin wall brass tubing or other metal. The ends of the tube 74a are provided with plugs 74b which are preferably made of brass and silver soldered in place. Also soldered at the lowerend of the tube 74a is a sleeve 740 which is provided with a central bore 74d which leads to an opening 74e in the wall of the tube 74a so that air under pressure can be introduced into the tube 74a.
  • this particular structure is quite suited for the purpose intended, especially because of its greater durability over the inflatable cushion 26 made of rubber or plastic.
  • flat strips 90 and 91 of stainless steel are positioned along opposite surfaces of the tube 74a.
  • transverse grooves 92 cut into the mold section 72. The purpose of these is to make the mold section 72 as flexible as possible so that minimum forces are re quired to keep the mold section 72 free of an undesirable warpage from thermal stresses and to allow the mold section to conform to the shrinkage contour of the surface of the casting.
  • each of the corner inserts 27 is supported in a manner similar to each of the mold sections 14 or 72, as previously described with reference to FIG. 2.
  • inflatable cushion 34 shown in FIG. 2 can be made of rubber or plastic, it can also have a construction similar to that which is shown in FIG. 5b for the inflatable cushion 26.
  • the backing plate 29 or the corner insert 27 can be provided with transverse slots 93 which are intended to make the backing plate 29 more flexible.
  • These slots 93 extend to intersect circular bores 94 extending transversely through the backing plate 29 for the purpose of minimizing stress concentrations which can lead to cracking.
  • the upper end of the assembly is provided with an end cap 95 which is held in place on the frame member 32 by means of two screws 96. This end cap 95 keeps the backing plate 29 securely positioned. This arrangement makes it very simple to replace corner inserts 27 which may become damaged or broken.
  • brackets 98 and 99 Keyed to two projecting key portions 97 and 98 at the rear of the frame member 32 are two brackets 98 and 99 which are provided with mounting holes 100 and 101 which permit securement to the upper and lower plates 2 and 3 of the machine.
  • FIG. 7a there is shown the details of the lower portion of the assembly for holding corner insert 27.
  • the bracket 99 is secured to the frame member 32 by means of two screws 102 and 103 and a locating pin 104.
  • the screw 102 and the locating pin 104 extend through another mounting bracket 105 which has a vertical wall 106 against which the frame member 32 rests.
  • An upper Wall 107 of the mounting bracket 105 provides support for a cover plate 108 secured to the bottom end of the backing plate 29 and the backing plate 108 also supports the lower end of the corner insert 27.
  • the screw 103 passes through a threaded hole 109 which is sloped downwardly so that the end of the screw 103 can react against a ,sloped surface 110 on the frame member 32 to thereby firmly retain the assembly by urging the frame member 32 snugly against the vertical wall 106 of the 10 mounting bracket 105.
  • the inflatable cushion 26 is of the same general construction as the cushion 741: shown in FIG. 5b, as employed as a backing for the mold sections 14 or 72. However, the other type made of rubber or plastic can also be employed. However, as shown in FIG. 7a, the lower end of the inflatable cushion 26 is provided with an inlet conduit 111 which is preferably silver soldered to the cushion 26 and which permits the inflating .of it with a source of pressurized air. In addition, the
  • backing plate 29 shown in FIG. 7a is provided with additional slots 112 which can be added along the front edge of the backing plate 29 to further increase the flexibility of the backing plate 29 to further minimize the forces required to resist undesirable Warpage or deformation due to thermal stresses.
  • the linkage box 11 has two side walls 11a which are joined with upper wall 9, the lower wall 10 and front and back walls 11b and to provide an entirely enclosed container for the linkages required to properly actuate the mold sections.
  • each linkage box 11 Within each linkage box 11 is a main driven link 113 which is journaled at its lower end 114 on an eccentric portion 115 of a shaft 116.
  • the upper end of the link 113 is pivoted on a pin 117 to one end 118 of a link 119.
  • the other end 120 of the link 119 is journaled on a shaft 121 whose outer ends on either side of the link are journaled in a fixed position in the side walls 11a of the linkage box 11.
  • Adjacent to the upper end of the link 113 is another shaft 122 which extends through the side walls 11a of the linkage box 11 clear of any contact with the linkage box 11 and journaled into the openings 18 previously mentioned as provided in the side walls 16 of the mold section support 13. Suitable bushings or other bearings can be provided for increasing durability of these bearing connections.
  • link 113 Intermediate between the upper and lower ends of link 113 is another pin 123 extending through the link 113 with its ends journaled in one end 124 of a link 125 whose other end 126 is journaled on a pin 127 mounted at the upper end 128 of a link 129.
  • the link 129 extends substantially parallel to the link 113 and has its lower end provided with a pin 130' whose ends are journaled in a fixed position in the side walls 11a of the linkage box 11.
  • another pin 131 is provided in the link 129 with its ends extending laterally therefrom and journaled to one end 132 of another link 133 whose other end 134 is provided with a shaft 135 extending laterally from both sides of the link 133 and through the side walls 11a of the linkage box 11 without any contact thereof and journaled in the holes 19 previously referred to in the side wall 16 of the mold section support 13.
  • Suitable bushings or other bearing means can be provided in these regions for durability, similar to What are provided for shaft 122.
  • Two spacers 136 and 137 are provided between the side walls 11a of the linkage box 11 and they are suitably secured in place by screws or other fastening means.
  • FIG. 6a a suggested mounting for eccentric adjustment of the shaft is shown.
  • the shaft 130 is provided with a central portion 130a which is eccentric of the center line 13% of the shaft 130.
  • Two reduced portions 1300 and 130d of the shaft 130 are journaled directly in bearings 130a and the free end 130 extends beyond the portion 1300.
  • a nut 130g is threadably secured on a threaded portion 13011 of the shaft 130 and ordinarily tightened against a shoulder 1301'.
  • the eccentric portion 130a is mounted in a lower bearing 130i which journals it to the link 129.
  • the nut 130g is loosened and the shaft 130 is rotated by external access to the end 130f.
  • the shaft 130 is rotated until the eccentric portion 130a rotates sufficiently to properly adjust the position of the bottom end of the link 129.
  • This adjustment of the bottom end of the link 129 in turn adjusts the position of the link 133 and, in turn, that of the shaft 135.
  • the shaft 121 can be provided with an adjustment identical to that as shown for shaft 130 in FIG. 6a in order to adjust the position of the link 119 to, in turn, adjust the position of the shaft 122.
  • Another manner of acquiring some adjustment is to provide each link 119, 125 and 133 with a turnbuckle centrally located on each one. Rotation of the turnbuckle can provide lengthening or shortening of the link desired.
  • the advantage of the eccentric adjustment is that it can be arranged for external adjustment while the machine is operating.
  • the main shaft 116 is coupled at 138 to the drive shaft 139 of a driving motor 140.
  • a driving motor 140 In the arrangement shown, there are four linkage boxes 11 because there are four mold sections shown as required to be driven and, likewise, there are four motors 140 for driving them.
  • the motors are of a standard synchronous type so that the proper phase relationship of the motion of the mold sections can be maintained at all times during the operation of the device.
  • Link 141 extends between a side wall of the mold section support 13 and a bracket secured to the undersurface of the bracket plate 2.
  • Link 142 connects between a side wall of the mold section 13 and a plate 143 which supports one of the motors 140.
  • each takeup device 144 is provided on each rear brace 17 of each mold section support 13. Its components are particularly shown in FIG. la where each takeup device 144 has an outer cup-shaped shell 145 which is welded directly to a rear brace 17. Contained within a cavity 146 of the shell 145 is a plunger 147 which bears against the outer end of a coil spring 148 having an inner end which bears against the outer wall 110 of a linkage box 11.
  • a spring end positioning plate 150 Secured by screws 149 to the outer wall 110 is a spring end positioning plate 150 provided with a circular opening 151 of slightly larger diameter than that of the spring 148 so that the end of the spring 148 can be contained in this opening 151.
  • the outer end of the shell 145 is provided with a threaded opening 152 connected with an adjusting screw 153 which can be threadably adjusted along the opening 152 to provide for more or less compression of the spring 148 and thereby adjust the reaction forces of the spring 148 between the mold section support 13 and the linkage box 11.
  • the purpose of this spring pressure is to bias all of the linkage shaft trunnion connections in one direction to remove any slack or looseness and thereby create a tight operating condition between the moving parts. This 12 maintains the desired tight condition even though the trunnion connections may not be precision fit and permits the use of standard bearings to minimize the cost of the installation.
  • linkages and mechanisms associated therewith are contained entirely within the linkage boxes 11 without any external exposure, there is excellent protection for these parts from dust or dirt in the area where the machine is to be used.
  • the synchronous motors 140 are operated to rotate the drive shafts 139 and cause the mold sections 14 or 72 to vibrate through small orbital paths.
  • the bottom radial amplitude of vibration and the longitudinal amplitude of vibration relative to the longitudinal axis 5 of the mold can vary over a wide range with satisfactory results, and the operating frequency can also vary in a very wide range up to 50,000 cycles per minute and more.
  • the amplitude selected are dependent upon the frequency chosen and the combination of amplitudes and frequency are selected on the basis of the desired surface condition sought on the casting and the speed of travel of the casting through the mold.
  • the opposite positioned mold sections 14 are vibrated approximately 180 degrees out of phase with the other two mold sections. In this manner, there are substantially always two mold sections approaching the casting 20 while the other two mold sections are moving away from the casting 20. This type of movement is fully described in U.S. Pat. 3,075,264.
  • the frame members 15 are preferably made of a metal having a very low coeflicient of thermal expansion at the operating temperatures of the machine which, in the vicinity of the frame members 15 is approximately 200 F.
  • a very suitable metal is a low expansion alloy commonly known as Invar metal having an average coefiicient of thermal expansion between 0 F. and 200 F. of about 0.7 1O' which is very low as compared to other metals generally.
  • Invar is an iron-nickel alloy having approximately 36% nickel. It is important that these frame members substantially retain their shape without significant warpage due to any thermal gradient in order to provide the rigid backup for the mold sections which are themselves flexible. It is important that the backup means be rigid and thereby provide dimensional stability to the apparatus. If the frame members 15 did excessively warp, due to a thermal gradient, the range of free movement provided for the flexible mold sections could be restricted too much so that binding of the casting in the mold could occur with resultant hampering of advancement of the casting through the machine.
  • FIGS. 5c, 5d or 52 a construction indicated in FIGS. 5c, 5d or 52 can be employed.
  • FIG. 50 a mold section identical to mold section 72 is shown mounted on the frame member 161 similar to frame member 73, except it is machined to accommodate a plurality of coil type compression springs 162 retained in a plurality of recesses 163 extending in spaced relationship along the length of the frame member 161. These coil springs 162 react against the bottom ends 163a of the recesses 163 and a separator strip 164 which is positioned against the inner surfaces 160a of the mold section 160.
  • the corner inserts 27 can be adapted with suitable springs 162 instead of inflatable cushions or tubes 34.
  • FIG. 5d As a further alternative construction, the parts as indicated in FIG. 5d can be employed.
  • the construction is similar to that which is shown in FIG. 50, except that the recesses 166 shown are larger than the recesses 163 shown 13 in FIG. c. This is necessary to accommodate plungers 167 which substantially surround the springs 162. These plungers 167 react between the springs 162 and the separator plate 164, instead of having the springs bear directly on the separator plate 164. Otherwise the construction is the same.
  • FIG. Se is still another construction which does not employ the use of springs. Instead, it is another form which employs fluid pressure introduced through a bore 168 which is substantially similar to bore 76 shown in FIG. 5a.
  • the frame member 169 shown which supports the mold section 160 is provided with a passage 170 connected with the bore 168 to receive fluid under pressure from the bore 168.
  • the passage 170 is connected by a plurality of smaller passages 171 to a plurality of cylindrical recesses 172 which contain pistons or plungers 173 guided for reciprocation therein.
  • Each plunger 173 is provided with an annular fluid seal 174 to minimize or prevent leakage of fluid from the .passage 170 beyond the plungers 173 in the direction of the mold section 160.
  • a retainer strip 164 is disposed between the plungers 173 and the mold section 160. It should be evident that the plungers 173 when provided with fluid under pressure from the passage 170 will cause them to bear with resilient pressure against the retainer strip 164 to, in turn, transmit the force to the mold section 160. This effect is quite similar to that achieved when employing the inflatable cushion or tube, previously described.
  • FIGS. 5c, 5d and 5e are all suitable constructions for providing resilient backup means for either the mold sections 160, or the like, or for the corner inserts 27, or the like.
  • Apparatus for continuous casting of metal of a type having a cavity extending longitudinally therethrough open at its ends and formed by the inside surfaces of a plurality of discrete mold sections unattached from each other located in a substantially closed periphery around the cavity with said inside surfaces disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity, one of said open ends of said cavity being a receiving end through which molten metal can be introduced into said cavty and the other of said open ends of said cavity being a discharge end through which said metal can be progressively discharged from said cavity, relatively rigid and inflexible frame members in which the mold sections are mounted, said mold sections having sufliciently small beam strength that they readily flex when stressed transversely as a beam as compared to the relatively inflexible and rigid frame members in which the mold sections are mounted.
  • mold section mounting means for supporting said mold sections in their locations around the cavity, and resilient backup means applying a backup force reacting between the mounting means and the mold sections for overcoming the tendency of the mold sections to deform when subjected to the heat of the metal passing through the cavity during the casting period.
  • said resilient backup means being in the form of an inflatable pillow which provides the backup force upon inflation of the pillow with fluid under pressure, and means for inflating the pillow with fluid under pressure.
  • said resilient backup means being in the form of a plurality of compression springs applying a backup force reacting between the mounting means and the mold sections for overcoming the tendency of the mold sections to deform when subjected to the heat of the metal passing through the cavity during the casting period.
  • Apparatus for continuous casting of metal of a type having a cavity extending longitudinally therethrough open at its ends and formed by the inside surfaces of a plurality of mold sections located around the cavity with said inside surfaces disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity, one of said open ends of said cavity being a receiving end through which molten metal can be introduced into said cavity and the other of said open ends of said cavity being a discharge end through which said metal can be progressively discharged from said cavity, said apparatus having an upper rigid plate and a lower rigid plate spaced from each other and extending substantially parallel to each other and in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cavity of the apparatus, each mold section having an independent mounting means for its support, each of said mounting means being mounted to extend radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cavity and between said plates to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis with the upper end of each mounting means secured to the upper plate and the lower end of the mounting means being secured to the lower plate, guide means on the plates for maintaining the mounting means in their radial
  • Apparatus for continuous casting of metal of a type having a cavity extending longitudinally therethrough open at its ends and formed by the inside surfaces of a plurality of mold sections located around the cavity with said inside surfaces disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cavity, one of said open ends of said cavity being a receiving end through which molten metal can be introduced into said cavity and the other of said open ends of said cavity being a discharge end through which said metal can be progressively discharged from said cavity, mold section mounting means for sup- 15 16 porting each mold section independently in definite radial 3,321,008 5/ 1967 Jones l64--280 X positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the cavity, 3,388,737 6/1968 Buckwalter et al.
  • each mold section mounting means being adjustable 3,364,980 1/ 1968 Loewenstein 164-281 radially so that the mold sections can be individually adjustably positioned to different positions radially of the 5 FOREIGN.
  • PATENTS longitudinal axis of the cavity 528,868 5/ 1954 g 65,298 1/1947 Denmark.
  • 16482 10 ANNEARAssistantExaminer 3,075,264 1/1963 Wognum 16483 3,237,252 3/1966 Ratcliife 164280 16443

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Continuous Casting (AREA)
  • Molds, Cores, And Manufacturing Methods Thereof (AREA)
  • Casting Devices For Molds (AREA)
US643562A 1967-06-05 1967-06-05 Continuous casting machine Expired - Lifetime US3528487A (en)

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US64356267A 1967-06-05 1967-06-05

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US (1) US3528487A (en:Method)
AT (1) AT287944B (en:Method)
BE (1) BE716065A (en:Method)
CH (1) CH498674A (en:Method)
DE (1) DE1758454B2 (en:Method)
GB (1) GB1222988A (en:Method)
LU (1) LU56195A1 (en:Method)
NL (1) NL6807794A (en:Method)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3662813A (en) * 1970-08-06 1972-05-16 United States Steel Corp Guide mechanism for oscillating continuous casting mold
US3667534A (en) * 1971-03-11 1972-06-06 Sumitomo Metal Ind Steel ingot making method
US3740178A (en) * 1971-04-21 1973-06-19 Standard Oil Co Plug assembly for thermoforming
US4714103A (en) * 1986-10-10 1987-12-22 Mannesmann Demag Corporation Continuous casting mold
US5526869A (en) * 1994-09-29 1996-06-18 Gladwin Corporation Mold for continuous casting system
US5771958A (en) * 1995-09-14 1998-06-30 Ag Industries, Inc. Mold for continuous casting system
US5927378A (en) * 1997-03-19 1999-07-27 Ag Industries, Inc. Continuous casting mold and method
US6374903B1 (en) 2000-09-11 2002-04-23 Ag Industries, Inc. System and process for optimizing cooling in continuous casting mold
US20040055732A1 (en) * 2002-09-19 2004-03-25 Leblanc Guy Adjustable casting mold
CN104096810A (zh) * 2014-06-30 2014-10-15 武汉泛洲中越合金有限公司 水平连铸结晶器
CN112677415A (zh) * 2020-12-10 2021-04-20 何涛 一种注塑件压紧装置

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5689360A (en) * 1979-12-21 1981-07-20 Nippon Kokan Kk <Nkk> Oscillating device of mold for continuous casting
CN101648258B (zh) * 2009-08-26 2011-09-07 中冶连铸技术工程股份有限公司 一种用于连铸机结晶器的振动装置及连铸机

Citations (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE528868A (en:Method) *
US2195809A (en) * 1936-06-22 1940-04-02 American Smelting Refining Continuous casting
US3075264A (en) * 1959-02-19 1963-01-29 James N Wognum Continuous casting
US3237252A (en) * 1963-10-01 1966-03-01 Babcock & Wilcox Co Mold clamping devices
US3321008A (en) * 1963-10-18 1967-05-23 M E A Inc Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal
US3364980A (en) * 1967-05-05 1968-01-23 Loma Machine Mfg Co Inc Wide strip mold for continuous casting
US3388737A (en) * 1966-05-10 1968-06-18 Copper Range Co Apparatus for continuous casting

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE528868A (en:Method) *
US2195809A (en) * 1936-06-22 1940-04-02 American Smelting Refining Continuous casting
US3075264A (en) * 1959-02-19 1963-01-29 James N Wognum Continuous casting
US3237252A (en) * 1963-10-01 1966-03-01 Babcock & Wilcox Co Mold clamping devices
US3321008A (en) * 1963-10-18 1967-05-23 M E A Inc Apparatus for the continuous casting of metal
US3388737A (en) * 1966-05-10 1968-06-18 Copper Range Co Apparatus for continuous casting
US3364980A (en) * 1967-05-05 1968-01-23 Loma Machine Mfg Co Inc Wide strip mold for continuous casting

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3662813A (en) * 1970-08-06 1972-05-16 United States Steel Corp Guide mechanism for oscillating continuous casting mold
US3667534A (en) * 1971-03-11 1972-06-06 Sumitomo Metal Ind Steel ingot making method
US3740178A (en) * 1971-04-21 1973-06-19 Standard Oil Co Plug assembly for thermoforming
US4714103A (en) * 1986-10-10 1987-12-22 Mannesmann Demag Corporation Continuous casting mold
US5526869A (en) * 1994-09-29 1996-06-18 Gladwin Corporation Mold for continuous casting system
US5771958A (en) * 1995-09-14 1998-06-30 Ag Industries, Inc. Mold for continuous casting system
US5927378A (en) * 1997-03-19 1999-07-27 Ag Industries, Inc. Continuous casting mold and method
US6374903B1 (en) 2000-09-11 2002-04-23 Ag Industries, Inc. System and process for optimizing cooling in continuous casting mold
US20040055732A1 (en) * 2002-09-19 2004-03-25 Leblanc Guy Adjustable casting mold
US6857464B2 (en) 2002-09-19 2005-02-22 Hatch Associates Ltd. Adjustable casting mold
CN104096810A (zh) * 2014-06-30 2014-10-15 武汉泛洲中越合金有限公司 水平连铸结晶器
CN112677415A (zh) * 2020-12-10 2021-04-20 何涛 一种注塑件压紧装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL6807794A (en:Method) 1968-12-06
LU56195A1 (en:Method) 1969-04-22
BE716065A (en:Method) 1968-12-04
GB1222988A (en) 1971-02-17
AT287944B (de) 1971-02-10
CH498674A (de) 1970-11-15
DE1758454B2 (de) 1974-03-14
DE1758454A1 (de) 1972-03-16

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