Caster

Abstract

The invention relates to a caster ( 1 ) having a casting ladle ( 2 ), a distribution device ( 4 ), and a horizontally moveable transport belt ( 5 ) having side limitation elements ( 13, 14 ), wherein liquid metal, preferably steel, can flow out of the casting ladle ( 2 ) onto the distribution device ( 4 ), and from there can be applied to the horizontal transport belt ( 5 ), the side limitation elements ( 13, 14 ) of the horizontal transport belt ( 5 ) being adjustable over the width of the horizontal transport belt. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.

1 . A method of operating a caster having a horizontally displaceable conveyor belt provided with side limitation elements, and a tundish arranged at one end of the conveyor belt above a plane of the conveyor belt for supplying molten metal onto the conveyor belt, the method comprising the steps of providing a distribution device having an adjustable width and located beneath the tundish in the plane of the conveyor belt for horizontally delivering the molten metal from the tundish onto the conveyor belt; and variably adjusting a width between the side limitation elements over a width of the conveyor belt at an angle of 90° to a cast direction, while material is being cast between the side limitation elements, in accordance with the width of the distribution device and with a predetermined width of a cast product. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the distribution device includes locating the distribution device between the side limitation elements. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , including the step of providing an inert gas hood over the conveyor belt for protecting the cast product. 
     
     
         4 . A caster ( 1 ), comprising:
 a horizontally displaceable conveyor belt ( 5 );   a casting ladle ( 2 ) provided at one end of the conveyor belt ( 5 );   a tundish ( 3 ) located beneath the casting ladle ( 2 ) and above a plane of the conveyors belt ( 5 ) for feeding molten metal on the conveyor belt ( 5 );   a distribution device ( 4 ) located beneath the tundish ( 3 ) in the plane of the conveyor belt ( 5 ) with which molten metal is horizontally delivered from the tundish ( 3 ) onto the conveyor belt ( 5 ), the distribution device having an adjustable width;   side limitation means ( 13 ,  14 ) for variably adjusting a width of a pre-strip displaceable on the conveyor belt ( 5 ) over the width of the conveyor belt at an angle of 90° to a cast direction, while the pre-strip is being cast between side limitation elements of the side limitation means, in accordance with the width of the distribution device and a predetermined width of a cast product;   at least one cooling device ( 9 ) located beneath the horizontal conveyor belt ( 5 ) and which cools a pre-strip displaceable by the conveyor belt ( 5 ), the at least one cooling device ( 9 ,  11 ) being adjustable in width in the cast direction of the conveyor belt ( 5 ) while the pre-strip is being cast, the at least one cooling device being divided in width thereof in direction of the conveyor belt in cooling zones including at least two edge zones which are turned on or off dependent on a width of a to-be-cooled pre-strip; and   an inert gas hood ( 8 ) located above the horizontal conveyor belt for protecting the pre-strip.   
     
     
         5 . The caster according to  claim 2 , wherein the distribution device is located between the side limitation elements.