Method and device for producing a metal strip by continuous casting

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a metal strip ( 1 ) by continuous casting. According to said method, a slab ( 3 ), preferably a thin slab, is initially cast in a casting machine ( 2 ), said slab being deviated from a vertical direction (V) into a horizontal direction (H), and in the direction of transport (F) of the slab ( 3 ) arranged behind the casting machine ( 2 ), the slab ( 3 ) is subjected to a milling operation in the milling machine ( 4 ), in which at least one surface of the slab ( 3 ), preferably two surfaces which are opposite to each other, are milled. In order to obtain a high economic viability and improved machining parameters when the strips are rolled, the slab ( 3 ) is milled as a first mechanical machining step after the slab ( 3 ) is deviated in the horizontal direction (H). The slab ( 3 ) is cast with a thickness (d) of at least 50 mm and the slab ( 3 ) is cast with a mass flow, which is the product of the casting speed and the slab thickness (v×d), of at least 350 m/min×mm. The invention also relates to a device for producing a metal strip by continuous casting.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The method in accordance with  claim 22  wherein milling of the strand takes place immediately after the strand is diverted to horizontal travel. 
   
   
       4 . The method in accordance with  claim 22 , further comprising the step of
 heating the strand downstream of the casting machine after diverting the strand to horizontal travel and prior to milling of the strand.   
   
   
       5 . The method in accordance with  claim 22 , further comprising the step of
 measuring at least one surface parameter of the strand and   setting a machining parameter of the milling machine as a function of the measured surface parameter.   
   
   
       6 . The method in accordance with  claim 5  wherein milling depth is the machining parameter set as a function of the measured surface parameter. 
   
   
       7 . The method in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising
 bending at least one milling cutter of the milling machine about a horizontal axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.   
   
   
       8 . The method in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising the step of
 cleaning the strand prior to measurement of the surface parameter.   
   
   
       9 . The method in accordance with  claim 22  wherein the milling machine mills off the strand upper face and the strand lower face at the same location in the travel direction. 
   
   
       10 . The method in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the milling reduction is divided between the upper and lower faces of the strand by vertical adjustment of driving rollers or guide plates upstream and downstream of the milling machine. 
   
   
       11 . The method in accordance with  claim 22  wherein the strand is milled in the milling machine such that the strand upper face and the strand lower face are milled at two successive locations spaced apart in the travel direction. 
   
   
       12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the setting means adjusts a milling depth of the milling cutter. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the setting means can bend the milling cutter with a bending moment about a horizontal axis perpendicular to a milling-cutter longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the means for measuring at least one surface parameter include a camera for determining the depth of cracks on the strand surface. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the means for measuring at least one surface parameter detect a temperature distribution of the strand across the strand width. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the means for measuring at least one surface parameter determines the geometric shape of the strand across its width transverse to the travel direction. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25  wherein the means for measuring at least one surface parameter are provided immediately downstream of the milling machine. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising
 a finishing train upstream in the travel direction from the means for measuring at least one surface parameter.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising
 a cooler downstream in the travel direction from the milling machine and upstream from the means for measuring at least one surface parameter.   
   
   
       21 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising
 means for reshaping the strand downstream of the milling machine.   
   
   
       22 . A method of continuously casting a metal strip, the method comprising the steps of:
 continuously forming a hot metal strand at least 50 mm thick in a casting machine and vertically downwardly advancing the strand from the casting machine at a mass flow equal to the product of travel speed from casting machine and strand thickness of at least 280 m/min×mm;   deflecting the strand downstream of the casting machine into a horizontal travel direction; and   milling at least one face of the strand with a milling machine after horizontal deflection of the strand.   
   
   
       23 . The method defined in  claim 22  wherein the mass flow is equal to at least 350 m/min×mm. 
   
   
       24 . The method defined in  claim 22  wherein the strand is a high-strength material having a carbon content of C>0.3%, silicon steel, or micro-alloyed steel. 
   
   
       25 . An apparatus for continuously casting a metal strip, the apparatus comprising
 means including a casting machine for continuously forming a hot metal strand at least 50 mm thick in a casting machine and vertically downwardly advancing the strand from the casting machine at a mass flow equal to the product of travel speed from casting machine and strand thickness of at least 280 m/min×mm;   means for deflecting the strand downstream of the casting machine into a horizontal travel direction;   a milling machine having a movable cutter for milling at least one face of the strand after horizontal deflection of the strand;   setting means in the milling machine for moving the cutter;   sensor means juxtaposed with the strand for measuring at least one surface parameter of the strand; and   control means connected to the sensor means and to the milling machine for shifting the cutter as a function of the measured surface parameter.