Strip casting machine, hot strip plant, production line, process for casting a metallic strip and using a circulating crawler train

Abstract

The invention relates to a strip casting machine for casting a metallic strip from a molten metal with circumferential caterpillar tracks for forming a cooling section for actively cooling the molten metal, wherein at least two circumferential caterpillar tracks are arranged one behind the other, which can be individually activated or deactivated to vary the length of the cooling section.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a strip casting machine for casting a metallic strip from a molten metal with circumferential caterpillar tracks for forming a cooling section for cooling the molten metal.

[0002] The invention further relates to a hot strip mill with at least one hot rolling stand for hot rolling a cast metallic strip.

[0003] The invention further relates to a production line for the manufacture and / or processing of a metallic strip, such as a hot-rolled strip, in particular a semi-finished product and / or a pre-product and / or an intermediate product and / or a product made of ferrous, steel and / or a non-ferrous metal material, in particular aluminium.

[0004] The invention further relates to a method for casting a metallic strip from a molten metal, in which the molten metal is conveyed forward as a mass flow in the machine direction along a cooling section between circulating caterpillar trains for cooling.

[0005] The invention also relates to the use of a circulating crawler track of a strip casting machine.

[0006] Types of strip casting machines are known from the prior art for forming a solid metallic strip from a molten metal.

[0007] For this purpose, such a strip casting machine has two rotating tracks, which form a pair. A casting gap is formed between the two rotating tracks, into which molten metal is introduced or poured and cooled by the two rotating tracks. During this process, the molten metal solidifies into the metallic strip. To increase the cooling capacity of the strip casting machine, the two rotating tracks often have cooling blocks. These cooling blocks form a casting wall on the directly opposite straight sections of each track, thus providing a moving mold on the strip casting machine. By means of the cooling blocks (casting walls) in contact with the molten metal or the metallic strip, heat energy can be extracted from the molten metal or the metallic strip, thereby cooling it.This process is implemented for the production of metallic strip. Using such strip casting machines, molten metal can be continuously cast into a metallic strip with a thickness between 10 mm and 25 mm. The metallic strip, conveyed along a conveyor line, is then continuously hot-rolled to the desired thickness using downstream hot-rolling stands. Further downstream of the conveyor line, the hot-rolled strip is cut to the desired length using cutting devices, such as shears, and finally wound into a coil at the end of the conveyor line using a winding device.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of providing an improvement or an alternative to the prior art.

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a strip casting machine for casting a metallic strip from a molten metal with circulating crawler tracks, in particular with circulating belts and / or with circulating chains, for designing a cooling section for actively cooling the molten metal, wherein at least two circulating crawler tracks are arranged one behind the other.

[0010] In this context, a "caterpillar train" is understood to mean a circulating mold, which can be formed in the form of a continuous band and / or a continuous chain, whereby multiple chain links can each contain a mold, such that a plane impermeable to molten metal can be formed from adjacent molds within a linear section of the chain guide. Thus, in a first variant, a caterpillar train can also be understood as a circulating band.

[0011] If the strip casting machine has at least two continuously rotating caterpillar tracks arranged one behind the other, it is possible to manipulate the cooling section length, which is usually fixed due to the design of the strip casting machine, almost arbitrarily variably, in particular to extend it.

[0012] This makes it possible to achieve significantly higher casting thicknesses on the strip casting machine according to the invention; and this is due to the extended cooling section length while maintaining conventional casting speeds, which must be adhered to due to metallurgical solidification processes in order to produce the metallic strip with the required qualities.

[0013] This in turn allows not only the production output of the castable metallic strip to be significantly increased using the present strip casting machine, but also the production range of different metallic strips to be advantageously expanded, which can now be realized with a single strip casting machine and / or production line.

[0014] A variation of the cooling section length can be made particularly advantageously if the at least two consecutively arranged circulating caterpillar trains can be individually activated or deactivated to vary a cooling section length.

[0015] For example, the required cooling path length can be determined using a model.

[0016] The activation or deactivation of individual circulating caterpillar trains can be implemented in different ways.

[0017] For example, a circulating crawler train can be moved transversely to the cooling section or to the machine direction of the strip casting machine into or out of the cooling section, so that the circulating crawler train either comes into contact with the mass flow or not.

[0018] Alternatively, individual caterpillar trains can be activated / deactivated by moving the caterpillar trains up / down, whereby the circulating caterpillar train either comes into contact with the mass flow or not.

[0019] Furthermore, the respective circulating crawler train can be moved upwards and / or downwards and / or laterally transversely to the machine direction into or out of the cooling section.

[0020] Therefore, it is advantageous if the at least two circulating caterpillar trains arranged one behind the other can be set individually and differently relative to the cooling section.

[0021] Thus, when activated, an additional circulating crawler train can be added in series to the cooling section of the strip casting machine, in addition to a regular circulating crawler train, or, when deactivated, it can be switched off accordingly.

[0022] More precisely, for large casting thicknesses, from about 35 mm upwards, several additional circulating caterpillar trains can be activated, while for small casting thicknesses, below about 25 mm, fewer circulating caterpillar trains are activated, for example, only a single additional circulating caterpillar train.

[0023] For example, deactivation of a circulating crawler train, particularly an additional circulating crawler train downstream of the strip casting machine in the machine direction or an additional crawler train upstream in the machine direction, can also be achieved by ceasing to cool the circulating crawler train, while still maintaining contact with the metallic strip, especially a downstream additional circulating crawler train, for transport support. Cooling of a crawler train can be active and / or by external coolant spraying, particularly water spraying, on the area not in direct contact with the metallic strip, especially in the area of ​​a crawler train's return path.

[0024] The present strip casting machine can be built in a very compact manner if the at least two circulating crawler tracks arranged one behind the other are located between an infeed side of the strip casting machine and an outfeed side of the strip casting machine, wherein, further upstream along the cooling section, the infeed side for introducing a mass flow in the form of molten metal into the strip casting machine and, further downstream, the outfeed side for discharging the mass flow in the form of the metallic strip out of the strip casting machine are located.

[0025] The strip casting machine can further distinguish itself by having a casting trough device with a casting nozzle device arranged on the feed side, in order to be able to introduce the molten metal in a controlled manner into the casting gap between two opposing circulating caterpillar tracks.

[0026] Furthermore, the strip casting machine can be characterized by the fact that a strip feed device leading to a hot strip plant is arranged on the output side, optionally with or without a drive roller device to generate a strip tension between the strip casting machine and the hot strip plant.

[0027] This allows the present strip casting machine to be designed in a compact and advantageous manner.

[0028] For example, the present invention could also be implemented by two strip casting machines arranged one behind the other, wherein the second strip casting machine, located further downstream of the first, receives a flow of material already solidified into a metallic strip, bypassing a casting trough device. For thicker metallic strips to be cast, this second strip casting machine could additionally be activated according to the invention in order to actively cool these thicker metallic strips.

[0029] In this configuration, however, the crawler tracks of crawler track pairs are not both located together between an infeed side and an outfeed side of a single strip casting machine, which means that quality losses in the finished cast and cooled metallic strip cannot be ruled out.

[0030] In any case, the cooling section length can be varied almost arbitrarily using the proposed belt casting machine, especially if the belt casting machine has several circulating caterpillar trains connected in series along the cooling section, which can be activated or deactivated individually or in groups.

[0031] Therefore, it is advantageous if the number of cooling blocks interacting with the molten metal on a circulating caterpillar train along the cooling section can be changed to adjust the cooling section length.

[0032] In this context, it is particularly advantageous if the number of cooling blocks interacting with the molten metal can be changed during the casting of the metallic strip in order to adjust the cooling section length.

[0033] This eliminates the need to interrupt the continuous casting process when changing the cooling section length.

[0034] The strip casting machine has a machine direction that extends along the cooling section or a conveying section for the metallic strip.

[0035] In this process, two opposing, circumferential caterpillar tracks, positioned between their directly facing caterpillar track sections, form the casting gap of the strip casting machine, into which the molten metal is introduced.

[0036] The circulating caterpillar tracks each have two mostly driven deflection devices and, due to their design, a first caterpillar track - facing away from the casting gap - and a second caterpillar track - facing towards or forming the casting gap.

[0037] In any case, the molten metal is continuously moved forward as a mass flow by means of the circular movements of the caterpillar tracks, which are aligned at the casting gap. Heat energy is extracted from this mass flow, particularly through contact with the caterpillar tracks, so that the initial molten metal gradually solidifies into the metallic strip on or in the strip casting machine.

[0038] To reduce or completely eliminate the risk of the mass flow escaping laterally from the casting slot, the belt casting machine preferably has side dam elements on either side of this casting slot. This allows the belt casting machine to provide a completely enclosed mold, which is essentially only open at the feed and discharge sides.

[0039] Often, such a casting mold is also referred to as a moving mold in connection with a belt casting machine.

[0040] For more effective heat energy removal, it is known that the crawler trains can also be equipped with individual cooling elements, such as cooling blocks (often also referred to as molds), which can themselves be actively cooled in order to achieve further improved cooling at the casting gap in relation to the mass flow (molten metal / metallic strip).

[0041] The casting gap (casting cavity) here forms, at least in the direct contact area between the individual cooling elements of the respective circulating caterpillar train and the mass flow, an active cooling section in which the mass flow is actively cooled, so that the initial molten metal solidifies and is pre-formed into the metallic strip.

[0042] The cooling section or active cooling section forms a conveying section on the strip casting machine, along which the mass flow is conveyed through the strip casting machine, whereby the conveying section on the strip casting machine also has the function of a solidification section, where the molten metal solidifies into the metallic strip.

[0043] The term "mass flow" is used as a general term for the material conveyed along a conveyor line, which is present as molten metal at the beginning of the casting process and as a metallic strip at the end of this casting process on the belt casting machine.

[0044] Overall, the invention relates to a strip casting machine for casting a metallic strip from a molten metal with circulating caterpillar tracks for forming a cooling section for actively cooling the molten metal by means of the circulating caterpillar tracks, wherein the cooling section length is variably adjustable, in particular variably extendable.

[0045] An advantageous embodiment provides that at least two circulating crawler tracks arranged opposite each other on the cooling section form a crawler track pair; in particular, crawler track pairs arranged one behind the other can be adjusted differently with regard to their cooling capacity.

[0046] By means of at least two pairs of caterpillar tracks arranged one behind the other, a significantly longer cooling section can be provided on the strip casting machine for active cooling of the mass flow on both sides.

[0047] For example, with larger casting thicknesses, such as 35 mm and above, several additional pairs of crawler tracks can be added, while with smaller casting thicknesses, such as below 25 mm, fewer pairs of crawler tracks are added, for example, only a single pair of crawler tracks.

[0048] It should be expressly noted that the separate adjustment of the cooling capacity can also be achieved in such a way that pairs of crawler tracks arranged one behind the other can be operated with the same cooling capacity.

[0049] In order to implement different cooling section variations even more comprehensively, it is advantageous if the number of circulating caterpillar trains arranged opposite each other on the cooling section is different.

[0050] Preferably, more circulating caterpillar tracks are arranged above the cooling section than below the cooling section.

[0051] Different cooling section variations can be implemented even more comprehensively if the length of the caterpillar trains arranged opposite each other on the cooling section differs.

[0052] Preferably, shorter first circulating crawler tracks are arranged above the cooling section than below the cooling section, whereby the cooling section length can be largely adjusted by the first circulating crawler tracks placed above the cooling section, while the metallic belt can continue to be guided reliably by further circulating crawler tracks arranged below the cooling section.

[0053] Therefore, it is advantageous if two or more first circulating caterpillar trains arranged one behind the other are positioned opposite a single further circulating caterpillar train.

[0054] The caterpillar train pairs preferably consist of two opposing, circulating caterpillar trains. However, caterpillar train pairs can also be structured differently.

[0055] For example, a pair of crawler tracks of the strip casting machine has a single lower long circumferential crawler track and two shorter upper circumferential crawler tracks, with the two shorter upper circumferential crawler tracks arranged one behind the other on the cooling section of the strip casting machine.

[0056] This allows the cooling section length of the strip casting machine to be varied, for example, by deactivating one of the two shorter upper crawler tracks, while the mass flow on the lower, longer crawler track can be reliably conveyed forward through the strip casting machine.

[0057] For example, it has also proven useful if the strip casting machine has two or more pairs of crawler trains arranged one behind the other, consisting of opposing, circulating crawler trains, with the cooling capacity of the pairs of crawler trains arranged one behind the other being adjustable differently.

[0058] This allows the heat treatment of metallic strips of varying thicknesses to be adjusted in a particularly diverse and individual way, enabling the strip casting machine to cover a particularly wide production range of metallic strips.

[0059] Advantageously, the caterpillar pull pairs of the strip casting machine arranged one behind the other can be actively activated or deactivated.

[0060] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the strip casting machine has at least one pair of crawler tracks with opposing circulating crawler tracks on the cooling section, the number of opposing circulating crawler tracks varying as explained above.

[0061] If the strip casting machine has, in addition to a regular first pair of crawler tracks, another pair of crawler tracks, two more pairs of crawler tracks or even more, it is possible to manipulate the cooling section length, which is usually fixed by the design of the strip casting machine, almost arbitrarily, in particular to extend it.

[0062] In this process, additional pairs of caterpillar trains or even just individual circulating caterpillar trains can be activated individually or together in order to actively extend an active cooling section defined by the regular pair of caterpillar trains by one or more additional active cooling sections.

[0063] In any case, a more effective production throughput can be achieved by means of at least one additional activatable crawler pulley pair on the strip casting machine, without any loss of quality in the cast metallic strip.

[0064] The term “caterpillar train pair” describes, within the meaning of the invention, a device in which at least two circumferential caterpillar trains are arranged opposite each other, so that a casting gap exists between the caterpillar train sections facing each other, into which the molten metal can be introduced.

[0065] In this respect, the invention also relates to a strip casting machine for casting a metallic strip from a molten metal, with a cooling section for cooling the molten metal and with a pair of caterpillar trains consisting of two circulating caterpillar trains for actively cooling the molten metal, wherein the active cooling section length of the cooling section is variably adjustable by means of at least one further activatable or deactivatable pair of caterpillar trains.

[0066] In this context, it can be advantageous if pairs of caterpillar trains arranged one behind the other and connected in series have different entry heights on the inlet side of a respective mold area; in particular, the first pair of caterpillar trains arranged upstream on the belt casting machine has a greater entry height than the second pair of caterpillar trains of the belt casting machine arranged further downstream.

[0067] The same applies to the starting height provided on the exit side of each casting mold area.

[0068] This allows the circulating caterpillar trains of the respective pair of caterpillar trains to be aligned convergently towards each other.

[0069] Alternatively, the circulating caterpillar tracks of each pair of caterpillar tracks are aligned parallel to each other.

[0070] In the present case, the casting mold can be considered as multi-part, viewed in the machine direction of the belt casting machine, with each pair of caterpillar pulls providing a casting mold area of ​​the mold.

[0071] Each casting mold area can also be referred to as an independent casting mold, with the present belt casting machine having two casting molds spaced apart from each other.

[0072] A pair of crawler tracks forms a crawler track unit of the strip casting machine.

[0073] In this context, a first concrete embodiment of the invention can be exemplified by a strip casting machine for casting a metallic strip from a molten metal, comprising the strip casting machine: • an inlet side for introducing a mass flow in the form of molten material into the strip casting machine, • a discharge side for discharging the mass flow in the form of the metallic strip out of the strip casting machine, • a cooling section for cooling the mass flow between the feed side and the discharge side, and • a crawler unit with opposing, rotating crawler trains for actively cooling the mass flow, and • at least one additional crawler unit whose circulating crawler tracks can be activated or deactivated to vary the cooling section length.

[0074] Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous with regard to circulating crawler trains arranged one behind the other below the cooling section if a bridging device is arranged between these crawler trains arranged one behind the other.

[0075] Due to the design of the caterpillar tracks (large radii of the caterpillar tracks at the deflection devices), a gap is created between caterpillar tracks arranged one behind the other. This gap must be bridged after the molten metal has been poured, either to transfer it from a front circulating caterpillar track to a more downstream circulating caterpillar track, or to thread the beginning of the already solidified metallic strip onto a rear second pair of caterpillar tracks.

[0076] A simple design solution could consist of installing a lifting / lowering and / or laterally slidable bridging device into the cooling section, such as a correspondingly movable roller table. After threading, this roller table could be moved back out of the cooling section, since the solidified metallic strip behind its beginning possesses sufficient stability and / or tension to bridge the gap between two circulating crawler tracks connected in series.

[0077] In order to be able to advantageously manipulate the cooling performance of the strip casting machine, in particular its cooling section length, in accordance with the invention, it is advantageous if the circulating caterpillar tracks can be adjusted differently with regard to their cooling performance.

[0078] The overall cooling capacity of the strip casting machine can be advantageously adapted to different casting thicknesses if the cooling capacity of individual rotating caterpillars can be adjusted independently. This avoids the need to completely deactivate individual rotating caterpillars.

[0079] This also allows the effective cooling path length to be varied in accordance with the invention.

[0080] It is particularly advantageous if the cooling section length of the strip casting machine can be adjusted depending on the casting thickness of the metallic strip.

[0081] This significantly increases the flexibility of the existing strip casting machine with regard to possible malleable metallic strips.

[0082] The range of metal strips that can be produced can be particularly broadened on the strip casting machine if the strip casting machine has a casting capacity with a casting thickness of less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably less than or equal to 40 mm and preferably less than or equal to 30 mm, and / or a casting capacity with a casting thickness of greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm and preferably greater than or equal to 25 mm.

[0083] It is particularly advantageous if the strip casting machine can be operated with a casting thickness of greater than or equal to 25 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm and preferably greater than or equal to 35 mm, which can significantly increase the production output of the strip casting machine.

[0084] By using such casting thicknesses, the mass flow of molten metal or metallic strip on a single strip casting machine can be advantageously increased, which, for example, makes it possible to achieve a production throughput of hot aluminium strip of well over 250 kt / year, with a casting width of approximately 2000 mm.

[0085] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cooling section length of the strip casting machine can be adjusted depending on the casting speed of the metallic strip.

[0086] This also significantly increases the flexibility of the existing strip casting machine with regard to possible malleable metallic strips.

[0087] The range of metal strips that can be produced on the strip casting machine can be further expanded if the strip casting machine has a casting capacity with a casting speed of less than or equal to 20 m / min, preferably less than or equal to 10 m / min and preferably less than or equal to 6 m / min, and / or a casting capacity with a casting speed of greater than or equal to 3 m / min, preferably greater than or equal to 4.5 m / min and preferably greater than or equal to 6 m / min.

[0088] The casting speed is largely determined by the metallurgical solidification process of the molten metal during casting, and therefore the casting speed can only be influenced to a limited extent.

[0089] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the cooling section length of the strip casting machine can be adjusted depending on the number of rolling stands for rolling the metallic strip, in particular depending on the number of rolling stands involved in the rolling process.

[0090] If, for example, three, four or more rolling stands are arranged downstream of the strip casting machine and / or are involved in the rolling process, the casting thickness on the strip machine can be set correspondingly larger, provided that the cooling section length of the strip casting machine can be extended in accordance with the invention.

[0091] The range of metal strips that can be produced on the strip casting machine can be significantly increased if the cooling section length of the strip casting machine can be changed by 10% or more of the length of the front circumferential crawler of the at least two circumferential crawlers arranged one behind the other, preferably by 20% or more or by 50% or more and particularly preferably by 100% or more.

[0092] A particularly wide variety of metallic strip products can be covered with the present strip casting machine if its cooling section length can be doubled in relation to the crawler length of the front circulating crawler, or even extended further.

[0093] The information provided here refers to a strip casting machine with a casting width typically set to 2000 mm. However, other casting widths can also be selected.

[0094] The metallic strip can be cast particularly efficiently and / or with high quality if the cooling section length of the strip casting machine is adjustable depending on the casting nozzle height and / or the casting thickness and / or the mass flow.

[0095] In other words, it is preferably suggested here, among other things, that the cooling section length should be adjusted depending on the casting thickness of the metallic strip, since the height of the casting nozzle is related to the casting thickness.

[0096] Preferably, the casting nozzle height can also be formed by a plurality of superimposed casting nozzle outlet slots and / or a plurality of superimposed casting nozzles.

[0097] It is advantageous that the cooling section length of the strip casting machine can be adjusted depending on the alloy of the molten metal.

[0098] Optionally, the cooling section length of the strip casting machine can be adjusted depending on a material property of the metallic strip.

[0099] The strip casting machine can be equipped with suitable sensors to determine the alloy composition of the molten metal and / or a material property of the metallic strip. Optionally, the strip casting machine can be data-connected to a higher-level control system that can provide information about the alloy composition of the molten metal and / or a material property of the metallic strip.

[0100] The object of the invention is also solved by a hot strip mill with at least one hot rolling stand for hot rolling a cast metallic strip, which is characterized by at least one strip casting machine as described herein.

[0101] Therefore, the invention relates to continuous hot strip production.

[0102] In particular, this makes it possible to create a hot strip mill which has both a very high production output and an extremely broad production range.

[0103] The hot strip mill can be further developed to a particularly advantageous degree if the hot strip mill has a control and / or regulation device for operating the hot strip mill depending on a casting thickness and / or depending on a casting speed and / or depending on a variable number of circulating crawler trains and / or depending on a variable number of rolling stands.

[0104] By using these parameters, the variety of metallic strips that can be produced with the hot strip mill can be significantly increased.

[0105] The interplay of the individual parameters can be chosen differently, for example depending on metallurgical requirements, empirical data, or the like.

[0106] It is particularly advantageous if the selection or setting of the relevant parameters is model-based, which allows for a particularly precise setting of the hot strip machine.

[0107] This also allows for the provision of a particularly advantageous casting and rolling line.

[0108] The object of the invention is also solved by a production line for the manufacture and / or processing of a metallic strip, such as a hot-rolled strip, in particular a semi-finished product and / or a pre-product and / or an intermediate product and / or a product made of ferrous, steel and / or a non-ferrous metal material, in particular aluminium, wherein the production line is equipped by the present strip casting machine and / or by the present hot-rolled strip plant.

[0109] In particular, existing hot strip plants or production lines can be advantageously retrofitted using the strip casting machine proposed here.

[0110] For example, the integration of the existing strip casting machine into the construction of a new hot strip mill, particularly a casting and rolling line, can initially be considered only conceptually. This allows for the provision of additional installation space for future crawler trains, as well as for additional rolling stands or similar equipment. This approach can significantly reduce initial investment costs. Once the hot strip mill reaches its throughput limit after the first few years of production, throughput and / or product variety can be increased by retrofitting crawler trains, a pair of crawler trains, or pairs of crawler trains, and potentially one or more additional rolling stands. This allows for a more cost-effective initial implementation of the production line.

[0111] The production line can be further developed to a particularly advantageous degree if it has a control and / or regulation device for operating the production line depending on a casting thickness and / or depending on a casting speed and / or depending on a variable number of circulating crawler trains and / or a variable number of rolling stands.

[0112] Here too, it is particularly advantageous if the selection or setting of the relevant parameters is model-based, which allows for a particularly precise setting on the production line.

[0113] By using these parameters, the variety of metallic strips that can be delivered with the production line can be significantly increased.

[0114] It is understood that further treatment and processing devices, such as additional heat treatment devices, cutting devices, winding devices or the like, may be arranged both on the present hot strip plant and on the production line or on a conveyor line for conveying the metallic strip.

[0115] The object of the invention is also solved by a method for casting a metallic strip from a molten metal, in which the molten metal is conveyed forward as a mass flow in the machine direction along a cooling section between circulating crawler trains for cooling, wherein a cooling section length of the cooling section is variably adjusted by means of the circulating crawler trains.

[0116] If the cooling section length of a strip casting machine can be variably adjusted, and in particular extended, by means of the circulating caterpillar tracks, the process can be adapted extremely flexibly to different casting thicknesses of the strip casting machine, which significantly expands the product variety of metallic strips that can be produced using the present casting process.

[0117] In particular, this allows the strip casting machine claimed here to be operated advantageously.

[0118] If the cooling section length is variably adjusted while the mass flow between the circulating caterpillar trains is conveyed forward, the casting thickness can be adjusted "on the fly" (i.e., during operation of the belt casting machine).

[0119] This in turn helps to avoid unnecessary production downtimes, for example to convert or adjust a strip casting machine to a different casting thickness.

[0120] The cooling section can be easily and therefore very reliably adjusted with regard to its active cooling length if the cooling section length is changed by means of the total length of the circulating crawler tracks.

[0121] For example, this can be achieved by actively manipulating the cooling capacity of individual cooling blocks on the circulating crawler tracks to variably adjust the cooling section length, in particular by actively activating or deactivating them.

[0122] In reality, implementing such control of individual cooling blocks often proves to be structurally complex.

[0123] Therefore, a suitable method variant provides that, in order to variably adjust the cooling section length, circulating caterpillar trains arranged one behind the other on the cooling section are actively activated or deactivated.

[0124] Preferably, a rear crawler train arranged further downstream of a front crawler train can also be activated in order to set a longer cooling section length.

[0125] The activation or deactivation of circulating caterpillar trains can be carried out in different ways.

[0126] It is advantageous if, to activate or deactivate circulating crawler trains arranged one behind the other on the cooling section, the respective circulating crawler train is moved transversely to the machine direction into or out of the cooling section.

[0127] This allows the corresponding circulating caterpillar train to be mechanically removed from the mass flow, especially from the already solidified metallic strip, or to be additionally brought into contact with the mass flow.

[0128] If the respective circulating crawler track is moved upwards and / or laterally perpendicular to the machine direction into or out of the cooling section, activation or deactivation can be carried out particularly reliably.

[0129] For example, deactivation of a circulating caterpillar track can be effectively achieved when the track is 1 mm or more away from the mass flow, preferably 10 mm or more, and particularly preferably 500 mm or more. The cooling effect of the circulating caterpillar track on the mass flow can be significantly reduced the further it is moved from the mass flow, especially from the already solidified metallic strip.

[0130] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the casting thickness of the metallic strip is set depending on a casting speed and / or depending on a variable number of circulating crawler trains and / or depending on a variable number of rolling stands, in particular depending on the number of rolling stands engaged.

[0131] This allows metallic strips to be cast in a wide variety of ways using the present method and then, if required, directly rolled or hot-rolled, thus enabling the method to serve an extremely wide range of metallic strip production.

[0132] Therefore, it is particularly advantageous if the cooling section length can be adjusted depending on the casting thickness and / or depending on a casting speed and / or depending on a variable number of circulating crawler trains and / or depending on a variable number of rolling stands.

[0133] Furthermore, the cooling section length of the strip casting machine can be advantageously adjusted depending on the casting nozzle height and / or the mass flow.

[0134] It should also be noted that the described process can be further enhanced by additional technical features described here, in particular features of the strip casting machine, in order to further develop the process advantageously or to be able to present or formulate process specifications even more precisely.

[0135] The invention also solves the problem of using a circulating crawler track of a strip casting machine for variably extending a cooling section length of a first circulating crawler track of the strip casting machine, in particular the strip casting machine described here.

[0136] By means of an additional circulating crawler track on a strip casting machine for casting a metallic strip from a molten material, the cooling section length specified by a first circulating crawler track of the strip casting machine can advantageously be varied, in particular either lengthened or shortened.

[0137] The first circulating track is preferably arranged upstream of the additional circulating track.

[0138] It is understood that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims can also be combined, if necessary, in order to implement the effects and advantages achievable here in a cumulative manner.

[0139] In particular, the invention proposed here can be used to expand the product range and specifically to increase and make more flexible the production of hot-rolled strips, especially aluminum strips.

[0140] It should be noted here that, within the context of the present patent application, indefinite articles and indefinite numerical indications such as "one...", "two...", etc., are generally to be understood as minimum indications, i.e., as "at least one...", "at least two...", etc., unless it is clear from the context or the specific text of a particular passage that only "exactly one...", "exactly two...", etc., is meant.

[0141] It should also be noted here that, within the context of the present patent application, the term "in particular" is always to be understood as introducing an optional, preferred feature. The term is not to be understood as "namely" or "specifically".

[0142] Further advantages, details and features of the invention will also become apparent from the exemplary embodiment shown and explained below.

[0143] The drawing shows the only Figure: schematically a view of a strip casting machine on a production line with a hot strip plant for producing different hot strips, in particular hot strips with a strip thickness between 5 mm and 45 mm.

[0144] The strip casting machine 1 shown in the single figure for casting a metallic strip 2 from a molten metal 4 is part of a hot strip plant 6 with four hot rolling stands 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D for hot rolling the previously cast metallic strip 2 on a conveying section 8 of a production line 10 for the production of a hot strip 2A, wherein the metallic strip 2 is conveyed forward in conveying direction 8A along the conveying section 8.

[0145] In addition to the strip casting machine 1 and the hot strip plant 6, the production line 10 also has a cutting device 12 for cutting and preparing the metallic strip 2 or the hot strip 2A and two winding devices 14 (numbered only as examples) for winding the metallic strip 2 or the hot strip 2A into coils 16 (numbered only as examples).

[0146] The cutting device 12 is arranged further downstream of the hot strip machine 6 and the winding devices 14 are arranged further downstream of the cutting device 12.

[0147] While the strip casting machine 1 is located at the beginning 18 of the conveyor line 8, the winding devices 14 are located at the end 20 of this conveyor line 8.

[0148] In this process, the molten metal 4 or the metallic strip 2 formed therefrom or the hot-rolled strip 2A can be continuously conveyed as a continuous mass flow 22 along the conveying path 8 in the conveying direction 8A, at least until the hot strip 2A is prepared at the cutting device 12.

[0149] The strip casting machine 1 is characterized by a machine direction 1A, which is aligned with the conveying direction 8A.

[0150] Furthermore, the strip casting machine 1 has four circulating crawler tracks 24A, 24B, 26A and 26B for shaping a cooling section 28 for actively cooling the mass flow 22 (molten metal 4 or metallic strip 2), wherein the cooling section 28 has a variable cooling section length 28A.

[0151] The cooling section 28 of the strip casting machine 1 can be considered a section (not separately numbered) of the conveying section 8.

[0152] Here, the two rotating crawler tracks 24A and 24B form a front, input-side crawler track pair 24 of the strip casting machine 1 and the two rotating crawler tracks 26A and 26B form a rear, output-side crawler track pair 26 of the strip casting machine 1.

[0153] All crawler trains 24A, 24B, 26A, 26B are arranged between an infeed side 30 for introducing the molten metal 4 into the strip casting machine 1 and an outfeed side 32 for removing the metallic strip 2 from the strip casting machine 1.

[0154] The cooling section length 28A of the strip casting machine 1 can be adjusted differently by activating or deactivating at least the output-side crawler pair 26, in particular the upper circumferential crawler pair 26A thereof, either in addition to the input-side crawler pair 24.

[0155] To activate the exit-side crawler pair 26, this exit-side crawler pair 26 can, for example, be driven laterally into the cooling section 28 in the lateral displacement direction 34A.

[0156] To deactivate the exit-side crawler pair 26, this exit-side crawler pair 26 can be driven laterally out of the cooling section 28 in the opposite lateral displacement direction 34B.

[0157] Alternatively, only the upper crawler track 26A of the crawler track pair 26 can be moved opposite the cooling section 28, while the lower crawler track 26B of the crawler track pair 26 remains in the cooling section 28 to further support the metallic belt 2 from below on the conveyor track 8 or the cooling section 28.

[0158] For example, the upper crawler track 26A of the crawler track pair 26 can be adjusted in the vertical direction 36 relative to the cooling section 28.

[0159] Therefore, at least the rear, downstream caterpillar tracks 26A and 26B can be positioned differently relative to the cooling section 28, and thereby activated (switched on) or deactivated (switched off) in accordance with the invention, depending on the metallic strip 2 to be cast or its casting thickness 2B.

[0160] The same applies to the rolling stands 6A and 6B, which can be optionally activated or deactivated, depending on the metallic strip 2 to be cast or its casting thickness 2B.

[0161] Two examples, A and B, illustrate different operating modes of the strip casting machine. By appropriately combining casting thickness, the number of activated circulating rollers, and the number of activated rolling stands, an operating configuration optimized for a specific product and throughput can be flexibly set on a hot strip mill. Example A: “Lower throughput mode” Casting thickness = 16 mm Pouring width = 2000 mm Pouring rate = 6 m / min Hot strip thickness = 3 mm Throughput = 31.1 t / h -> Number of cooling crawler pairs in use = 1 -> Number of hot rolling mills in use = 2 Example B: “Higher throughput mode” Casting thickness = 30 mm Pouring width = 2000 mm Pouring rate = 6 m / min Hot strip thickness = 3 mm Throughput = 58.3 t / h -> Number of cooling crawler pairs in use = 2 -> Number of hot rolling mills in use = 3

[0162] It is understood that the proposed strip casting machine 1 can also be used on differently configured hot strip plants 6 or production lines 10.

[0163] In order to advantageously control and regulate the components of production line 10, such as in particular the strip casting machine 1 and especially its circulating crawler trains 24A, 24B, 26A, 26B, the hot rolling mill 6, the cutting device 12 and the winding devices 14, production line 10 has a control and / or regulating device 40 for operating production line 10 depending on a casting thickness 2B and / or depending on a casting speed and / or depending on a variable number of circulating crawler trains 24A, 24B, 26A, 26B and / or a variable number of rolling stands 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D of the hot rolling mill 6.

[0164] The embodiment described above is merely a first embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the embodiment of the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Reference symbol list 1 strip casting machine 1A Machine direction 2 metallic band 2A Hot strip 2B Casting thickness 4. Metal molten metal / Mass flow of the metal molten metal 6 Hot strip plant 6A first hot rolling mill 6B second hot rolling mill 6C third hot rolling mill 6D fourth hot rolling mill 8 Conveyor section 8A Conveying direction 10 production line 12 Separating device 14 winding devices 16 coils 18 Beginning 20 End 22 continuous mass flow 24 entrance-side caterpillar train pair 24A front first or upper crawler track 24B front second or lower crawler track 26 exit-side caterpillar train pair 26A rear first or upper crawler track 26 rear second or lower caterpillar train 28 Cooling section 28A variable cooling path length 30 Insert page 32 Application side 34A Lateral displacement direction 34B opposite lateral displacement direction 36 Altitude 40 Control and / or regulating device

Claims

[1] Strip casting machine (1) for casting a metallic strip (2) from a molten metal (4) with circulating caterpillar tracks (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) for forming a cooling section (28) for actively cooling the molten metal (4), wherein at least two circulating caterpillar tracks (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) are arranged one behind the other. [2] Strip casting machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least two consecutively arranged circulating caterpillar trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) can be individually activated or deactivated to vary a cooling section length (28A). [3] Strip casting machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, that the at least two consecutively arranged circumferential caterpillar trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) are arranged between an infeed side (30) of the strip casting machine (1) and an outfeed side (32) of the strip casting machine (1), wherein further upstream on the cooling section (28) the infeed side (30) for introducing a mass flow (22) in the form of the molten metal (4) into the strip casting machine (1) and further downstream the outfeed side (32) for discharging the mass flow (4) in the form of the metallic strip (2) out of the strip casting machine (1) are arranged. [4] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that at least two circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) arranged opposite each other on the cooling section (28) form a crawler train pair (24, 26), in particular, crawler train pairs (24, 26) arranged one behind the other are adjustable differently with regard to their cooling capacity. [5] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that a number of opposing circulating caterpillar trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) on the cooling section (28) are different. [6] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the crawler length of the circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) arranged opposite each other on the cooling section (28) is different. [7] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that two or more first circulating caterpillar trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) arranged one behind the other are arranged opposite a single further circulating caterpillar train (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B). [8] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , that the circulating crawler tracks (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) can be adjusted differently with regard to their cooling performance. [9] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that a cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1) is adjustable depending on the casting thickness (2B) with respect to the metallic strip (2). [10] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by a casting thickness (2B) of less than or equal to 50 mm, preferably less than or equal to 40 mm and preferably less than or equal to 30 mm, and / or a casting thickness (2B) of greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm and preferably greater than or equal to 25 mm. [11] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that a cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1) is adjustable depending on the casting speed of the metallic strip (2). [12] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized bya casting speed of less than or equal to 20 m / min, preferably less than or equal to 10 m / min and preferably less than or equal to 6 m / min, and / or a casting speed of greater than or equal to 3 m / min, preferably greater than or equal to 4.5 m / min and preferably greater than or equal to 6 m / min. [13] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that a cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1) is adjustable depending on the number of rolling stands (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D) for rolling the metallic strip (2). [14] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by, that a cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1) can be changed by 10% or more of a crawler length of the front circulating crawler (24A, 24B) of the at least two circulating crawlers (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) arranged one behind the other, preferably by 20% or more or by 50% or more and particularly preferably by 100% or more. [15] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by , that a cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1) is adjustable depending on a casting nozzle height and / or the casting thickness (2B) and / or the mass flow (4). [16] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by , that a cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1) is adjustable depending on an alloy of the metal melt (4). [17] Strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized by, that a cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1) is adjustable depending on a material property of the metallic strip (2). [18] Hot strip mill (6) with at least one hot rolling stand (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D) for hot rolling a cast metallic strip (2), characterized by at least one strip casting machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims. [19] Production line (10) for the manufacture and / or processing of a metallic strip (2), such as a hot strip (2A), in particular a semi-finished product and / or a pre-product and / or an intermediate product and / or a product made of ferrous, steel and / or a non-ferrous metal material, in particular aluminium, comprising a strip casting machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and / or a hot strip plant (6) according to claim 18. [20] Method for casting a metallic strip (2) from a molten metal (4) in which the molten metal (4) is conveyed forward as a mass flow (22) in the machine direction (1A) along a cooling section (28) between circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) for cooling, wherein a cooling section length (28A) of the cooling section (28) is variably adjusted by means of the circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B). [21] Method according to claim 20, characterized by , that the cooling section length (28A) is variably adjusted, while the mass flow (4) between the circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) is conveyed forward. [22] Method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized by , that the cooling section length (28A) is changed by means of the total length of the circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B). [23] Method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized by, that to variably adjust the cooling section length (28A) on the cooling section (28) circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) arranged one behind the other are activated or deactivated. [24] Method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized by , that to activate or deactivate circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) arranged one behind the other on the cooling section (28) by moving the respective circulating crawler train (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) transversely to the machine direction (1A) into or out of the cooling section (28). [25] Method according to claim 24, characterized by , that the respective circulating crawler train (24A, 26A) is moved upwards and / or laterally transversely to the machine direction (1A) into or out of the cooling section (28). [26] Method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, characterized by, that a casting thickness (2B) of the metallic strip (2) is set depending on a casting speed and / or depending on a variable number of circulating crawler trains (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) and / or depending on a variable number of rolling stands (6A, 6B, 6C, 6D), in particular depending on rolling stands in engagement. [27] Method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, characterized by , that the cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1) is adjusted depending on a casting nozzle height and / or the casting thickness (2B) and / or the mass flow (4). [28] Use of at least one circulating crawler track (24A, 24B, 26A, 26B) of a strip casting machine (1) for variably extending a cooling section length (28A) of the strip casting machine (1), in particular the strip casting machine (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17.

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