Mould of a continuous casting plant

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mold of a continuous casting plant.

[0002] In a continuous casting plant, a metallic melt is conveyed into a cooled mold, where solidification begins. Within the mold, surface areas of the melt solidify into a so-called strand shell, which encloses a still-liquid metal core. A metallic cast strand containing the strand shell is discharged from the mold and then further cooled.

[0003] During continuous casting, the mold is often set in a vertically oscillating motion so that the cast strand does not adhere to the inner surfaces of the mold and casting powder, which is used for lubrication, is better drawn between the cast strand and the inner surfaces of the mold.

[0004] DE4444941A1 shows a continuous casting mold with an oscillating support structure which is supported on a lifting table which oscillates by means of an oscillation drive and is guided in the oscillation direction by means of a guide device.

[0005] However, such vertical movements of the mold create grooves on the product produced during continuous casting, known as oscillation marks. These oscillation marks pose a problem for further processing of the product, so the product often has to be ground on its surface after continuous casting. This grinding process is very complex and costly.

[0006] WO2014206761A2 shows a method for oscillating a mold of a continuous casting machine, wherein at least one broad side plate of the mold oscillates horizontally in the width direction of the broad side plate.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of reducing oscillation marks during continuous casting.

[0008] The object is achieved according to the invention by a mold having the features of claim 1.

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

[0010] The horizontal width direction refers to a horizontal direction in a plane lying centrally between the two broadside inserts.

[0011] The mold according to the invention enables horizontal oscillation of the broad sides of the mold relative to the narrow sides in addition to vertical oscillation of the mold. This makes it possible to reduce or completely eliminate oscillation marks on the surface of the product produced during continuous casting, thus advantageously improving product quality. This is made possible by a movably mounted frame on which broad side inserts are arranged and which can be moved in an oscillating manner relative to the narrow sides by an oscillation drive. The frame consists of two sub-frames, each of which has a broad side insert arranged on it and which are held together by a clamping device. The sub-frames are each guided by two spring band assemblies, which absorb weight forces and forces acting from a cast strand produced in the mold.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the oscillation drive comprises a first oscillation drive, preferably designed as a hydraulic cylinder, which is arranged on a side of the first sub-frame facing away from the second sub-frame on a first longitudinal frame of the mold and is coupled to the first sub-frame, and a second oscillation drive, preferably designed as a hydraulic cylinder, which is arranged on a side of the second sub-frame facing away from the first sub-frame on a second longitudinal frame of the mold and is coupled to the second sub-frame.

[0013] The above-mentioned embodiment of the invention enables, on the one hand, a distribution of the forces generating the horizontal oscillations of the frame and, on the other hand, a symmetrization of these forces.

[0014] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one, preferably each, narrow-side copper plate has a rounding or a chamfer on the edges in contact with the wide-side copper plates, which are substantially at right angles to the horizontal width direction, wherein the rounding has a radius of between 0.1 mm and 3 etc., preferably between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, and the chamfer has a dimension between 0.1 mm and 3 etc., preferably between 0.3 mm and 1 mm. This rounding or chamfer reduces friction and further reduces wear on the copper plates. It is, of course, also conceivable for all edges that come into contact with the broadside copper plate to have such radii or chamfers.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the invention, broadside foot rollers are arranged on the underside of each longitudinal frame. Their roller axes each extend in the width direction and are designed to guide a metallic casting strand emerging from the mold. Thus, forces exerted on the mold by a casting strand discharged from the mold act only on the longitudinal frames and not on the movable frame.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the invention, each end face of the narrow-side copper plates has grooves through which a lubricant can be supplied to the end face. For this purpose, the lubricant is fed via flexible hoses and pipes to the side of the narrow-side copper plates facing away from the strand and from there to the grooves.

[0017] Alternatively, each end face has, for example as lubrication, a wear strip, preferably made of sintered metal, with an integrated lubricant, preferably a solid lubricant.

[0018] The aforementioned embodiment of the invention takes into account that during horizontal movements of the frame relative to the narrow sides, the wide-side inserts arranged on the frame rub against the end faces of the narrow-side copper plates, which rest against the wide-side inserts. Lubricating the end faces advantageously reduces this friction.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the first broadside insert has a support plate arranged on the first sub-frame and a broadside copper plate arranged on the support plate, and the second broadside insert has a support plate arranged on the second sub-frame and a broadside copper plate arranged on the support plate.

[0020] The aforementioned embodiment of the invention takes into account that broadside copper plates wear out relatively quickly due to their contact with cast strands in the mold and therefore need to be replaced from time to time. Therefore, it is sensible to provide support plates for the broadside copper plates, to which the broadside copper plates can be arranged.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the invention, the mold has two compensators for each sub-frame, through which cooling water can be supplied to the sub-frame and cooling water can be drained from the sub-frame and which compensate for the horizontal movements of the sub-frame.

[0022] The aforementioned embodiment of the invention takes into account that the broadside inserts, and in particular their broadside copper plates, must be cooled in order to sufficiently cool a cast strand produced in the mold so that the cast strand forms a strand shell. To compensate for the horizontal movements of the frame, compensators are provided to supply the sub-frames with cooling water. The cooling water directed through the sub-frames serves to cool the broadside inserts and in particular the broadside copper plates.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the invention, the clamping device comprises two clamping units arranged on the frame on opposite sides in the width direction, each of which is configured to exert a clamping force on the subframes acting between the subframes. For example, each clamping unit comprises a hydraulic cylinder for generating the clamping force.

[0024] The aforementioned embodiment of the invention enables two-sided clamping of the subframes. Compared to clamping only on one side, this advantageously enables symmetrical clamping of the subframes on opposite sides in the width direction. This allows, for example, forces acting on opposite sides of the subframes in the width direction due to the clamping between the narrow sides and the subframes to be equalized. For example, this prevents a higher frictional force acting between the narrow sides and the subframes on one side of the subframe than on the other.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the invention, the clamping units arranged on the frames have pivoting units on both sides, which allow movements of the frames in the horizontal width direction at least temporarily in different directions.

[0026] An embodiment according to the invention provides that the clamping force can be adjusted by a control and / or regulating device in such a way that a contact pressure between each narrow-side copper plate and the wide-side copper plates in contact with it can be adjusted in such a way that the contact pressure immediately before the start of the oscillation and during the oscillation by the oscillation drive has a value between 0 and 1 N / mm 2< , preferably 0 and 0.5 N / mm 2< .

[0027] The above-described properties, features, and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understood in connection with the following description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. FIG 1 a top perspective view of an embodiment of a mold of a continuous casting plant, FIG 2a perspective view from below of the Figure 1 shown mold, FIG 3 a perspective sectional view of the Figure 1 mold shown. FIG 4 a schematic representation of a mold of a continuous casting plant FIG 5 a detailed view of a narrow side plate with a radius

[0028] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0029] The figures show an embodiment of a mold 1 of a continuous casting plant. Figure 1 (FIG 1 ) shows a top perspective view of the mold 1. Figure 2 (FIG 2 ) shows a perspective view of the mold from below 1. Figure 3 (FIG 3 ) shows a perspective sectional view of the mold 1.

[0030] The mold 1 comprises, among other things, a movably mounted frame 2, two broad side inserts 3, 4, two narrow sides 7, 8, a clamping device 11, an oscillation drive 13, two longitudinal frames 14, 15, spring band packages 17 and compensators 18.

[0031] The frame 2 comprises a first sub-frame 2.1 and a second sub-frame 2.2 spaced apart from the first sub-frame 2.1.

[0032] Each broadside insert 3, 4 comprises a support plate 5 and a broadside copper plate 6. A first

[0033] The broadside insert 3 is arranged on a side of the first subframe 2.1 facing the second subframe 2.2. The support plate 5 of the first broadside insert 3 is arranged on the first subframe 2.1. The broadside copper plate 6 of the first broadside insert 3 is arranged on a side of the support plate 5 of the first broadside insert 3 facing the second broadside insert 4. For example, the support plate 5 of the first broadside insert 3 is screwed to the first subframe 2.1, and the broadside copper plate 6 of the first broadside insert 3 is screwed onto the support plate 5 of the first broadside insert 3.

[0034] Accordingly, the second broadside insert 4 is arranged on a side of the second sub-frame 2.2 facing the first sub-frame 2.1. The support plate 5 of the second broadside insert 4 is arranged on the second sub-frame 2.2. The broadside copper plate 6 of the second broadside insert 4 is arranged on a side of the support plate 5 of the second broadside insert 4 facing the first broadside insert 3. For example, the support plate 5 of the second broadside insert 4 is screwed to the second sub-frame 2.2, and the broadside copper plate 6 of the second broadside insert 4 is screwed onto the support plate 5 of the second broadside insert 4.

[0035] Thus, the broad-side copper plates 6 of the two broad-side inserts 3, 4 face each other and are spaced apart from each other. The narrow sides 7, 8 of the mold 1 are arranged between the two broad-side inserts 3, 4. Each narrow side 7, 8 has a narrow-side copper plate 9 that rests against the broad-side copper plates 6 of both broad-side inserts 3, 4, with the narrow-side copper plates 9 facing each other. Thus, the broad-side copper plates 6 and the narrow-side copper plates 9 form the inner walls of the mold 1.

[0036] The clamping device 11 comprises two clamping units 11.1, 11.2 arranged on opposite sides of the frame 2 in the horizontal width direction H. These clamping units are configured to exert a clamping force acting between the subframes 2.1, 2.2 of the frame 2. For this purpose, each clamping unit 11.1, 11.2 has a hydraulic cylinder 12 for generating the clamping force.

[0037] The oscillation drive 13 is configured to oscillate the frame 2 in the width direction H relative to the narrow sides 7, 8 and the longitudinal frames 14, 15 of the mold 1. For this purpose, the oscillation drive 13 has two hydraulic cylinders 13.1, 13.2. A first hydraulic cylinder 13.1 is arranged on the first longitudinal frame 14 on a side of the first subframe 2.1 facing away from the second subframe 2.2 and is coupled to the first subframe 2.1. The second hydraulic cylinder 13.2 is arranged on the second longitudinal frame 15 on a side of the second subframe 2.2 facing away from the first subframe 2.1 and is coupled to the second subframe 2.2.

[0038] The two hydraulic cylinders 13.1, 13.2 enable the frame 2 to be moved in the width direction H and counter to the width direction H relative to the longitudinal frames 14, 15 and the narrow sides 7, 8. During these movements of the frame 2, the wide-side copper plates 6 rub against end faces 9.1 of the narrow-side copper plates 9 that bear against them. To reduce this friction, the end faces 9.1 of the narrow-side copper plates 9 that bear against the wide-side copper plates 6 each have a lubrication 10. For example, each end face 9.1 has grooves through which a lubricant can be supplied to the end face 9.1 as lubrication 10. A grease or oil, for example, is used as the lubricant. Alternatively, each end face 9.1 has a wear strip with an integrated lubricant, for example as lubrication 10. Graphite, for example, is used as the lubricant.

[0039] In order to further reduce the friction between the broad-side copper plates 6 and the narrow-side copper plates 9, the clamping force exerted by the clamping units 11.1, 11.2 on the sub-frames 2.1, 2.2 during the horizontal oscillation of the frame 2 is reduced, for example, compared to a casting start of the continuous casting of a metallic cast strand.

[0040] The spring band assemblies 17 serve to guide the frame 2 during its horizontal movements or oscillations. On each subframe 2.1, 2.2 of the frame 2, a spring band assembly 17 is arranged on opposite sides in the width direction H. The spring bands run vertically and are each connected at their ends to a longitudinal frame 14, 15. To avoid excessive stress in the spring bands, the spring bands extend essentially over the entire vertical extent of the mold 1, in order to achieve the greatest possible length for the spring bands.

[0041] Broadside foot rollers 16 are arranged on the underside of each longitudinal frame 14, 15. Their roller axes each extend in the width direction H and are designed to guide a metallic casting strand emerging from the mold 1. Thus, forces exerted by the casting strand on the mold 1 act only on the longitudinal frames 14, 15 and not on the frame 2.

[0042] In order to cool the sub-frames 2.1, 2.2 and the broadside inserts 3, 4 during the casting of a cast strand, each sub-frame 2.1, 2.2 is connected to two compensators 18 through which cooling water can be supplied to the sub-frame 2.1, 2.2 from a longitudinal frame 14, 15 and cooling water can be discharged from the sub-frame 2.1, 2.2 into the longitudinal frame 14, 15.

[0043] On the upper side of the mold 1, guide rails (not shown in the figures) are arranged, which serve to suspend and guide the narrow sides 7, 8 and are each screwed externally to the longitudinal frames 14, 15, but are spaced from the frame 2 in order not to hinder the horizontal movements of the frame 2.

[0044] In addition to the described components, the mold 1 has further components that are not relevant to the invention and are therefore not described or illustrated here. For example, the mold 1 can have a further oscillation drive configured to move the mold in an oscillating manner in the vertical direction.

[0045] In Fig. 4A mold 1 with clamping units 11.1, 11.2 is shown schematically, each of which has a pivoting unit 20. By means of the pivoting units 20, movements of the sub-frames 2.1, 2.2 can be carried out in the horizontal width direction, at least temporarily in different directions, by means of the oscillation drive 13. The clamping unit is designed as a hydraulic cylinder 12. The sub-frames 2.1, 2.2 are each connected to a support plate 5, and the broad-side copper plate 6 is attached to the support plate. The narrow sides 8, 9 are attached between the broad-side copper plates 6; the clamping units 11.1, 11.2 are controlled or regulated by a control or regulating device 24 such that a contact pressure between the broad-side copper plate 6 and the narrow side 7, 8 is maintained at a predetermined value.The control or regulating device 24 receives as input variables, among others, pressures measured by the pressure measuring devices 22, and transmits corresponding signals to a hydraulic station 23. During the oscillation movement, the contact pressure should be between 0 and 1 N / mm 2 .

[0046] In FIG 5 A detailed view of a broadside insert 3, 4, which consists of the support plate 5 and the broadside copper plate 6, and the narrow side 8, 9, is shown. The narrow side 8, 9 also has a narrow-side copper plate 9. A radius 21 is provided on both sides of the narrow-side copper plate 9.

[0047] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrative and not limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined in the appended claims. List of reference symbols

[0048] 1Mold 2Frame 2.1, 2.2Partial frame 3, 4Broadside insert 5Support plate 6Broadside copper plate 7, 8Narrow side 9Narrow side copper plate 9.1End face 10Lubrication 11Clamping device 11.1, 11.2Clamping unit 12Hydraulic cylinder of a clamping unit 13Oscillation drive 13.1, 13.2Hydraulic cylinder of the oscillation drive 14, 15Longitudinal frame 16Broadside foot roller 17Spring band package 18Compensator 20Swivel unit 21Radius 22Pressure gauge 23Hydraulic station 24Control or regulating device HBreadth direction

Claims

1. Mould (1) for a continuous casting installation, the mould (1) comprising - a movably mounted frame (2) with a first subframe (2.1) and a second subframe (2.2) which is spaced apart from the first subframe (2.1), - a first broad-side insert (3) which is arranged on a side of the first subframe (2.1) facing the second subframe (2.2), - a second broad-side insert (4) which is arranged on a side of the second subframe (2.2) facing the first subframe (2.1), - narrow sides (7, 8) which are arranged between the two broad-side inserts (3, 4) and each have a narrow-side copper plate (9), which lies against the two broad-side inserts (3, 4), - a clamping device (11) which is designed to exert, on the subframes (2.1, 2.2), a clamping force acting between the subframes (2.1, 2.2), and - an oscillation drive (13) which is designed to move the frame (2) in an oscillating manner in and counter to a horizontal width direction (H) relative to the narrow sides (7, 8), - wherein a respective spring band assembly (17) which guides the subframe (2.1, 2.2) is arranged on each subframe (2.1, 2.2) on opposite sides in the width direction (H), - wherein each narrow-side copper plate (9) has two end faces (9.1) which each lie against a broad-side insert (3, 4) and have a lubrication (10) reducing the friction with the broad-side insert (3, 4), - wherein the clamping force can be set by a control and / or regulating device (24) in such a way that a contact pressure between each narrow side (7, 8) and the broad-side copper plates (6) in contact therewith can be set in such a way that the contact pressure immediately before the start of the oscillation and during the oscillation, by the oscillation drive (13), has a value of between 0 and 1 N / mm2, preferably 0 and 0.5 N / mm2.

2. Mould (1) according to Claim 1, wherein a first oscillation drive (13) has, preferably in the form of a hydraulic cylinder (13.1), which is arranged on a first longitudinal frame (14) of the mould (1), on a side of the first subframe (2.1) facing away from the second subframe (2.2), and is coupled to the first subframe (2.1), and a second oscillation drive (13.2), preferably in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, which is arranged on a second longitudinal frame (15) of the mould (1), on a side of the second subframe (2.2) facing away from the first subframe (2.1), and is coupled to the second subframe (2.2).

3. Mould (1) according to Claim 2, wherein broad-side foot rollers (16) are arranged on the underside of each longitudinal frame (14, 15), the roller axles of which in each case run in the width direction (H) and which are designed for guiding a metal casting strand emerging from the mould (1).

4. Mould (1) according to Claim 1, wherein each end face (9.1) has grooves in which a lubricant as the lubrication (10) can be supplied to the end face (9.1).

5. Mould (1) according to Claim 1, wherein each end face (9.1) has, as the lubrication (10), a wear strip, preferably made of sintered metal, with an integrated lubricant, preferably a solid lubricant.

6. Mould (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one, preferably each, narrow-side copper plate (9) has a rounding or a chamfer at the edges which are in contact with the broad-side copper plates and are substantially at a right angle to the horizontal width direction (H), wherein the rounding has a radius (21) of between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 1 mm, and the chamfer has a dimension of between 0.1 mm and 3 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 1 mm.

7. Mould (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first broad-side insert (3) has a support plate (5) arranged on the first subframe (2.1) and a broad-side copper plate (6) arranged on the support plate (5), and the second broad-side insert (4) has a support plate (5) arranged on the second subframe (2.2) and a broad-side copper plate (6) arranged on the support plate (5).

8. Mould (1) according to any one of the preceding claims with two compensators (18) for each subframe (2.1, 2.2), through which cooling water can be supplied to the subframe (2.1, 2.2) and cooling water can be dissipated from the subframe (2.1, 2.2) and horizontal movements of the subframe (2.1, 2.2) can be compensated for.

9. Mould (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping device (11) has two clamping units (11.1, 11.2) which are arranged on the frame (2) on opposite sides in the width direction (H) and are designed to exert, on the subframes (2.1, 2.2), a respective clamping force acting between the subframes (2.1, 2.2).

10. Mould (1) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the clamping units (11.1, 11.2) each have a pivoting unit (20) allowing movements of the subframes (2.1, 2.2) in the horizontal width direction at least temporarily in a different direction.

11. Mould (1) according to Claim 9, wherein each clamping unit (11.1, 11.2) has a hydraulic cylinder (12) for producing the clamping force.