Starting device for a continuous casting installation, especially for casting metallurgical long products

Abstract

A start-up device for a continuous casting plant (1), particularly for casting metallurgical long products, comprises a head section (5) of a cold strand (4) that can be inserted into a mold (2) before pouring and at least one pouring element (16) extending into the mold above the head section (5). The respective pouring element (16) and the head section (5) are each provided with a fastening means by which they can be connected to one another. This fastening enables the respective pouring element (16) to be mounted onto the head section (5) in or above the mold (2) by a robot (50) or a manipulator. This connection eliminates the often complex process of mounting a pouring element connected to the cold strand before insertion into the mold.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a start-up device for a continuous casting plant, in particular for casting metallurgical long products according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a sprue element for the start-up device according to claim 14.

[0002] A start-up device for a continuous casting plant is known, for example, from DE 10 2004 046 333 A1. The start-up device comprises a cold strand and a sprue element detachably attached to the head section of the cold strand. For attachment to the head section, the sprue element has a connecting element that is a component of the sprue element or formed integrally with it. The connection between the head section and the connecting element is designed as a detachable hook connection. For this purpose, the head section has a recess that is open on one side and on the front side. At the front side, the recess extends over the entire diameter. On the front side, shoulders are attached to both sides of the recess, which reduce the opening of the recess and thus form a hook.After the connecting element is inserted laterally through the open side of the head element, a thickened end section of the connecting element rests against these shoulders. To facilitate hooking of the head element to the connecting element, the shoulder is beveled on the hooking side, i.e., the side facing the open side of the head element. To cast a cast strand, the sprue element connected to the cold strand is inserted into the continuous casting mold of a continuous casting plant.

[0003] With existing start-up devices, the problem is typically that attaching the sprue element to a cold strand or inserting the sprue element or packaging connected to the cold strand into the mold of a continuous casting plant is cumbersome and therefore time-consuming and labor-intensive. Furthermore, occupational safety for personnel during preparation of the mold for pouring is not optimally guaranteed, because this process must be carried out in the immediate vicinity of the mold, where radioactive sources may be present, or in the secondary cooling zone below the mold, where conditions can be unfavorable due to the risk of slipping and the dark environment.

[0004] The task therefore arises of providing a start-up device for a continuous casting plant that enables simple and rapid connection of a sprue element to a cold strand, as well as easy insertion of the sprue element and the cold strand into a mold of a continuous casting plant. To ensure better working conditions, the sprue element should be capable of automated assembly.

[0005] The object is achieved according to the invention by a starting device according to the features of claim 1 and a sprue element according to claim 14.

[0006] In the start-up device according to the invention, the casting element is provided with a fastening means for fixing it to the head section of the cold strand and with a structural structure, wherein this structural structure is designed such that it connects with the melt flowing into the mold during casting in such a way that the cold strand can be safely pulled out together with the strand produced in the mold.

[0007] The structural design of the at least one sprue element is very advantageously tree-like, provided with a number of branching projections formed, for example, by longitudinal elements and / or sheet metal elements. The sprue element or its components can thus be made of inexpensive materials such as reinforcing iron, reinforcing steel, or similar.

[0008] The invention provides that the fastening means of the respective sprue element is designed as a fastening pin below the structural structure, which can be fixed in a bayonet-like or similar manner in a corresponding receptacle in the head section.

[0009] According to the invention, the sprue element comprises a fastening pin on the side preferably facing a coupling element of the head section, which, in an insertion position, can be inserted into the receptacle of the coupling element at the front. In the insertion position, the fastening pin can be inserted or introduced into the receptacle, particularly along a longitudinal axis of the head section.

[0010] By connecting the sprue element to the top of the retracted head section within the mold, the often time-consuming assembly of a sprue element connected to the cold strand before insertion into the mold is eliminated. Attaching the sprue element to the cold strand can also be automated, particularly by a robot or manipulator.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening pin and the receptacle in the head section engage in a form-fitting manner or by forming a positive connection. Particularly preferably, a cam projecting into the receptacle and the fastening pin are formed with a recess for receiving the cam in the locking position of the fastening pin. The cam is preferably arranged offset inwardly on one of the side walls bordering the receptacle.

[0012] An axial movement of the fastening pin along or in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the head section, as would occur, for example, in a screw connection or when screwing a threaded bolt into an internal thread, preferably does not occur.

[0013] The respective sprue element advantageously has a sealing element below the structural assembly. When the sprue element is assembled, this sealing element is located above the head section and rests against the inner walls of the mold, ensuring that no melt flows between the inner walls of the mold and this sealing element during pouring. The sealing element is dimensioned to correspond to the mold cross-section or fill it completely, in order to achieve a gap-free seal between it and the mold and to prevent the melt poured into the mold from flowing out to the head section.

[0014] The sprue element preferably has a base body, with the fastening pin arranged on a first side of the base body and a structural assembly for connecting to a cast strand arranged on an opposite second side. The structural assembly preferably has several projections projecting outward from the center axis of the sprue element. This ensures a good connection of the cast strand to the sprue element and a good force transmission from the cold strand to the cast strand.

[0015] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the structural design is formed by a plurality of longitudinal elements, particularly extending perpendicular to the central axis of the sprue element. They are particularly preferably arranged one above the other in two or more rows, with the longitudinal elements of adjacent rows being arranged orthogonally or at a different angle to each other. Alternatively, the structure can be formed by at least one or more nested sheet metal elements.

[0016] According to the invention, the sprue element is securely arranged on the coupling element within a mold of the continuous casting plant. The attachment is carried out in particular in such a way that a cold strand with a coupling element arranged on its head section is inserted from a discharge end of the mold and the sprue element is inserted from a filling end of the mold. The fastening pin of the sprue element is then inserted into the receptacle of the coupling element and secured against frontal removal from the receptacle by rotation from the insertion position to the locking position. The described method enables simple, quick, and secure attachment of the sprue element to the cold strand, in particular above a mold.

[0017] The invention further provides that, by means of a shearing device, the sprue element and the head section of the cold strand cannot be separated from one another in the assembled state. However, after sprueing, in the extended state onto the cast strand, a transverse movement relative to the cold strand is effected. The shearing device thereby causes the fastening means of the sprue element connected to the cast strand to be released from the head section of the cold strand. This can easily prevent an unintentional detachment of the cold strand from the cast strand during extraction before the shearing process, while, during the known removal of the cold strand, it can be separated from the strand without the need for cutting and welding or the like.

[0018] These and other features, as well as advantages and effects, of the inventive start-up device for a continuous casting plant are evident from the following embodiments described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a mold of a continuous casting plant with a starting device according to the invention during the attachment of the sprue element to the retracted cold strand by means of a robot; Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of a mold of a continuous casting plant with a starting device according to the invention when attaching the sprue element to the retracted cold strand; Fig. 4 a longitudinal section of the mold according to Fig. 2 when pouring a liquid melt and pulling the cast strand out of the mold of the continuous casting plant; Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 an exploded view or a perspective view of the cold strand according to Fig. 2 arranged sprue element; Fig. 7bis Fig. 9 an exploded view and two perspective views of the cold strand according to Fig. 2 arranged sprue element and a coupling element of the head section; Fig. 10 a cross-section through the coupling element and a fastening pin of the sprue element in the mounted position, as well as a shearing device; Fig. 11 a schematic side view of the mold, the drawn-out casting strand and the cold strand connected to it; Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 a schematic, partially visible longitudinal section during the release of the sprue element connected to the casting strand from the head section of the start-up device connected to the cold strand; Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 a perspective view and a side view of a variant of a sprue element according to the invention and a coupling element of the head section; Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 perspective side views of a second variant of a gate element according to the invention; Fig. 18 a perspective side view of a third variant of a gate element according to the invention; Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 an exploded view and a perspective view of a fourth variant of a gate element according to the invention; and Fig. 21 a perspective view of a head section of a cold strand with five gate elements according to the invention arranged in rows for a near-net-shape continuous casting plant.

[0019] Fig. 1 bis Fig. 4 show a mold 2 of a continuous casting plant 1, which is used to produce metallurgical long products, such as billets, blooms, round shapes, slabs or double-T beams. A casting platform 51 of the continuous casting plant is indicated, in which the mold 2 is arranged with a cooling system (not explained in detail). Such a continuous casting plant 1 has a metallurgical vessel (not shown) with at least one spout and an adjoining pouring tube 3, which, during continuous casting, is immersed in the melt in the mold 2 as shown in FIG. Fig. 4 The vessel can also be equipped with several spouts, each with a pouring tube 3 and a mold for multi-strand casting.

[0020] For the casting of a casting strand 6, first, as in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 As shown, a cold strand 4 with a coupling element 8 attached to its head section 5 is inserted from below into the mold 2 in a manner known per se. A sprue element 16 for connecting to the cast strand 6 is inserted from above into the mold 2 and attached to the coupling element 8 of the cold strand 4 introduced into the mold 2. In the assembled state of the sprue element 16, it is located, for example, approximately in the middle of the mold, as in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0021] Preferably, a robot 50 is installed on the indicated casting platform 51, of which only a pivotable support arm 43, an extension arm 44 also pivotably mounted on the latter, and a gripper device 46 with gripping elements 47 are illustrated. This robot 50 is designed such that it can be moved in any controlled manner around several axes in the x, y, and z directions. Furthermore, it includes mechanical, hydraulic, and / or electrical drive elements for pivoting and rotating its movable components, as well as positioning sensors connected to a control unit. Using a known control system, the robot can be operated automatically, and the corresponding manipulation sequences can be carried out programmatically.

[0022] According to the invention, the sprue element 16 is provided with a structural structure 22 and with a fastening means for fixing to the head section of the cold strand 4, by means of which the respective sprue element 16 can be fastened in the head section 5 and by means of this fastening it is made possible that this sprue element 16 can be mounted on the head section 5 in the mold 2 by a robot 50 or a manipulator.

[0023] Conveniently, a respective sprue element 16 is advantageously grasped by these gripping elements 47 of the gripper device 46 of the robot 50 from a magazine containing such sprue elements and inserted into the mold 2 up to the fastening position and fastened to the head section 5. Advantageously, the exact position of the mold 2 is determined in advance using a measuring unit on the front extension arm 44 instead of the gripper device, which then enables the respective sprue element 16 with a sealing element 24 to be inserted very precisely into the mold 2 and fastened to the head section 5 by rotation.

[0024] In principle, however, the head section 5 could also be pushed up into the mold almost to the top of the mold, and the sprue element could be placed and secured in this position above the mold. Subsequently, the head section 5, and with it the sprue element, would be moved down into the mold to a specific position.

[0025] In addition, the robot 50 can be used for the assembly of the individual sprue elements 16, as shown for example in Fig. 5 consist of sheet metal elements 23, 23' and a base body 17, which are formed into the sprue element by appropriate manipulation of the robot Fig. 6 The components provided in magazines, such as these longitudinal elements 36, sheet metal elements 23, 23', base body 17, sealing elements 24, etc., are assembled into these finished sprue elements using suitable robot aids, such as gripper arms, detection sensors, and workpiece holders. These elements can then be stored in a storage location for the robot to pick up for assembly.

[0026] This structural structure 22 of the sprue element 16 is expediently designed in a tree-like manner, provided with a number of projections arranged like lateral branches. This structure is dimensioned such that, in the pre-casting state, it is positioned within the mold with a minimum height and its projections extend almost to the inner walls 2' of the mold 2, with small clearances to these walls so that they do not touch the mold. These clearances are advantageously only a few millimeters.

[0027] However, in the case of the sprue element 16, a sealing element 24 is arranged below the structural structure 22, which sealing element 24 rests above the head section 5 in the assembled state of the sprue element 16 and is in almost gap-free contact with the inner walls 2' of the mold 2 on the outer circumference, thus ensuring that no melt flows between the inner walls 2' and this sealing element 24 during pouring.

[0028] The structural structure 22 is expediently designed in such a way that it connects with the melt flowing into the mold 2 during casting in such a way that the cold strand 4 can be safely pulled out together with the strand produced in the mold 2, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 2 emerges.

[0029] There is a fastening pin 18 firmly connected to the base body 17 of the sprue element 16 as a fastening means in the Fig. 1 shown insertion position into a top-open receptacle 11 of the coupling element 8 and by rotating the sprue element 16 and thus the fastening pin 18 firmly connected to it, bayonet-like into the Fig. 2 shown locking position in the receptacle 11 is secured against being removed from the front of the receptacle 11. The insertion and fastening of the sprue element 16 to the coupling element 8 can be carried out manually or preferably automatically, in particular robot-assisted.

[0030] As in Fig. 3 As shown, after attaching the sprue element 16 to the coupling element 8, a pouring pipe 3 is introduced from above into the mold 2 of the continuous casting plant 1 and, as indicated, a liquid metal melt, in particular molten steel, is poured from a metallurgical vessel (not shown), such as a tundish, up to an upper fill level of the mold 2. The melt poured into the mold 2 surrounds the structural structure 22 of the sprue element 16.

[0031] Preferably, the mold 2 has a cooling system for cooling its inner walls 2', whereby the molten metal is intensively cooled and forms the cast strand 6 in the mold 2 with an external strand shell 42, which is also firmly connected to the structural assembly 22, so that the strand 6 is drawn in an arc or other shape by the cold strand 4, which is drawn at a controlled speed. The drawing of the cold strand 4 together with the cast strand 6 from the mold 2 can be assisted in particular by a corresponding guide device of the continuous casting plant 1, for example by a roller arrangement 41 below the mold 2.

[0032] Fig. 5 bis Fig. 9 show a sprue element 16 and the coupling element 8 without the cold leg 4. The sprue element 16 comprises a base body 17 with the fastening pin 18 firmly connected to it as a fastening means for attaching the sprue element 16 to the coupling element 8. The structural assembly 22 arranged on the side of the base body 17 opposite the fastening pin 18 is formed from two or more sheet metal elements 23, 23' which are at an angle to one another. The latter are inserted into one another via a slot 25 in one sheet metal element 23, which is preferably accessible from below along a central axis M of the structural assembly 22 or of the sprue element 16, and a slot 25' in the other sheet metal element 23', which is accessible from above along the central axis M.The attachment of the structural assembly 22 formed from the sheet metal elements 23, 23' to the base body 17 is achieved by engaging retaining pins 27 arranged on the base body and extending perpendicular to the central axis M into corresponding retaining receptacles 26 in the sheet metal element 23. To establish a secure and firm connection to the cast strand 6 during casting, the sheet metal elements 23, 23' have several projections 19 with the tree-like structure along the edges, as well as internal connecting openings 19'. Of course, these projections and the connecting openings could be designed differently in terms of number and shape.

[0033] With this structural design 22 comprising two or more sheet metal elements 23, 23' positioned at an angle to one another, there is the additional advantage that the sprue element 16 can be very easily grasped and clamped from above using the gripping elements 47 of the gripper device 46 of the robot 50, in which the gripper elements 47 are, for example, finger-shaped and are inserted into the spaces between the sheet metal elements 23, 23' and hold them in place by a transverse clamping movement.

[0034] At the Fig. 7 On the underside shown, the coupling element 8 can be pivotally mounted by a bolt in an opening 10 on the cold strand 6. On the upper side, the coupling element 8 has a receptacle 11 that is open at the top and to one side and extends along the longitudinal axis L. This receptacle 11 serves to connect to the fastening pin 18 of the sprue element 16. This receptacle 11 has a substantially U-shaped configuration, and a cam 12 with a semicircular cross-section projects into one of its side walls. The cam 12 serves to secure the fastening pin 16 in the receptacle 11 against being ejected from the front, specifically by engaging in a recess 20 of the fastening pin 18 of the sprue element 16 that corresponds to this cam 12.

[0035] For this purpose, the fastening pin 18 is provided as a fastening means with a bolt-shaped basic shape, which has on one side a flat contact surface 28 extending along the central axis M of the fastening pin 11 with a rounded end 29. Perpendicular to the contact surface 28 and the central axis M is a semicircular recess 20, which serves to accommodate the corresponding cam 12 in the receptacle 11.

[0036] Fig. 7 bis Fig. 9 show the attachment of the sprue element 16 to the coupling element 5 or to the head section, wherein the sprue element 16 has a sealing element 24 which is arranged above a guide pin 21 on the base body 17 of the sprue element 16. In a first step, the fastening pin 18 of the sprue element 16 is pushed into the receptacle 11 in an insertion position, in which the contact surface 28 points in the direction of the cam 12 projecting into the receptacle 11 of the coupling element 8. The thickness of the insertion area of ​​the fastening pin 18 preferably corresponds essentially to the minimum width of the receptacle 11 in the region of the cam 12, so that the insertion area just fits into the receptacle 11 in the insertion position. When the fastening pin 16 is fully inserted into the receptacle, the sealing element 24 rests with its underside forming a support surface on the upper end face of the coupling element 8, as shown in Fig. 8 is shown. Furthermore, the guide pin 21 of the fastening pin 18 is guided in the guide 13 of the coupling element 8. The securing of the fastening bolt 18 against a frontal removal from the receptacle 11 is carried out by rotating the sprue element 16 or the fastening bolt 18 by 90° about the longitudinal axis L of the coupling element 8 from the Fig8 shown insertion position into the Fig. 9 shown locking position.

[0037] By rotating into the locking position, the cam 12 is inserted into the corresponding recess 20 of the fastening pin 18, so that the fastening pin 18 is secured against being removed from the front of the receptacle 11 by forming a positive connection with the recess 20. The guide pin 21 is guided in the curved guide 13 during the rotation of the fastening pin 18 from the insertion position until it lies in the locking position at or near the cutting edge 14 formed by the shearing element 15, as shown in Fig. 10 is shown. By the guide pin 21 abutting the cutting edge 14, a lateral displacement of the fastening pin 18 from the receptacle 11, which is open to another side in addition to the front side, is prevented, for example during the withdrawal of the cold strand 4 from the mold 2, ie a removal of the fastening pin 18 from the receptacle 11 without rotation from the locking position into the insertion position.

[0038] Within the scope of the invention, a shearing device 40 is integrated into the fastening means of the sprue element 16 and the head section 5 or the coupling element 8. This device comprises at least this guide pin 21 protruding from the outer circumference of the fastening pin 18 and a shearing element 15 cooperating with this guide pin and having a cutting edge 14, the latter being arranged in the receptacle 11 of the head section 5 and directed with its cutting edge 14 against the guide pin 21. The guide pin 21 is aligned with its longitudinal axis parallel to the contact surface 28 or perpendicular to the central axis M of the fastening pin 18.

[0039] In Fig. 11 bis Fig. 13 Illustrated is a detachment of the sprue element 16, which is connected to the arcuately drawn-out casting strand 6 and pulled out of the continuous casting plant 1, from the coupling element 8 connected to the cold strand 4 using a separating device 7. The separating device 7 presses transversely from the inside onto the casting strand 6 in the region of the sprue element 16 by means of an actuatable pivoting lever 7' or the like in such a way that the guide pin 21 of the fastening pin 18 shears off the shearing element 15 attached to the coupling element 8, and the fastening pin 18 can be pushed out of the open side of the receptacle 11, preferably downwards, in the locked position. After detachment, the coupling element 8 connected to the cold strand 4 can be connected to a new sprue element 16, for example, for a subsequent casting.

[0040] By means of this shearing device 40, the sprue element 16 and the head section of the cold strand 4 cannot be separated from each other in the assembled state. However, after the sprue in the extended state on the casting strand 6, this transverse movement is effected relative to the cold strand 4 and the shearing device 40 causes a release of the fastening means of the sprue element 16 connected to the casting strand to the head section of the cold strand 4.

[0041] in Fig. 14 bis Fig. 20 Further variants of sprue elements and coupling elements 8 are outlined, whereby only the differences compared to the Fig. 1 bis Fig. 10 shown embodiment of the sprue element 16 and the coupling element 8 is explained and the same reference numerals are used for the components having the same functions.

[0042] The sprue element 16 according to Fig. 14 und Fig. 15 differs from the above-explained sprue element 16 by the fixing of the sheet metal elements 23, 23' to the base body 17. The base body 17 of the sprue element 16 has upwardly projecting retaining webs 30, via which the upper sheet metal element 23 is fixed to the base body 17 by means of a screw connection 31. In addition, the shapes of the sheet metal elements 23, 23' differ from the particularly in Fig. 7 shown sprue element 16 on its upper side, in which one sheet element protrudes from the other.

[0043] This also differs in Fig. 14 shown coupling element 8 of the above, in particular with reference to Fig. 7 described coupling element 8 by the design of the coupling connection on the cold strand 4 in the form of a centrally running web instead of the recess of the Fig. 7 shown coupling element 5.

[0044] In the Fig. 16 The embodiment of the sprue element 16 shown in FIG. 1 is additionally provided with Fig. 5 illustrated retaining pins 27 of the base body 17, which engage in retaining receptacles 26 of the upper sheet metal element 23, upwardly projecting guide webs 32 are provided on the base body 17, which are introduced into guide slots 33 of the lower sprue element 23'.

[0045] The design of the sprue element 16 according to Fig. 17 differs from that according to Fig. 14 und Fig. 15 by the design of the base body 17 and the fastening pin 18. The latter is formed as a fastening means by a plate-shaped fastening body having the recess 20, preferably extending along the central axis M, which is guided on the base body 17 between two externally rounded guide blocks 34 and in which a recess 20 is correspondingly cut out.

[0046] The design of the sprue element 16 from Fig. 18 differs from that in Fig. 5 bis Fig. 9 shown sprue element 16 by the design of the base body 17 and the attachment of the sheet metal elements 23, 23' via a pin connection with retaining pins 35 inserted into the base body 17.

[0047] Fig. 19 und Fig. 20 show a further embodiment of a sprue element 16, which differs in particular in the structural design 22, which is formed by a plurality of stacked longitudinal elements 36, which are arranged at least in pairs one above the other in rows, wherein the longitudinal elements 36 of adjacent rows are at an angle, preferably perpendicular to one another. The longitudinal elements 36 are fixed to the base body 17 by a holding rod 37, which is preferably guided along the central axis M between the round rod pairs and which has, for example, a thread at its upper end, onto which a holding plate 38 is placed and secured by screwing on a nut. The holding rod 37 is connected or can be connected to the base body 17 via a threaded connection.

[0048] These longitudinal elements 36 are formed, for example, from bars with a round cross-section and made of concrete or reinforcing steel or the like. However, differently shaped elements could also be used, which could at least partially be waste products from the steel industry, thus being inexpensive and easy to assemble.

[0049] Fig. 21 shows a variant of a coupling element 8 with several cast-on elements 16 attached thereto, which can be used, for example, for casting a slab format, a bloom, a double-T beam, or a near-net-shape strand format. For a rectangular or square mold cross-section, two cast-on elements could also be provided, or one in the center and four in each corner. As a further advantage of the invention, the number and placement of the cast-on elements can be varied as needed or depending on the mold cross-section.

[0050] For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown by way of example, but could be demonstrated by further embodiments.

[0051] For example, the structure of the sprue element could be constructed in a round mold format from rings or ring segments arranged one above the other with tree-like projections extending radially outwards, similar to Fig. 14 or Fig. 19 which could be fixed internally to a support rod (37) connected to the fastening means.

[0052] The fastening element of the sprue element could also be designed conversely as a receptacle, with the fastening pin on top of the head section of the cold leg. Instead of this bayonet-like fastening element, a threaded fastener or one with a lockable snap-in element would be conceivable.

[0053] Preferably, a coupling element is mounted on the head section of the cold leg to accommodate the sprue element. However, the receptacle could also be formed directly on the head section of the cold leg or on another connecting part.

[0054] The sheet metal elements of the sprue elements could of course also be designed differently and more than two of them could be provided in a tree-like manner.

[0055] Advantageously, the sprue element is attached to its head section by a robot or manipulator after the cold strand has been inserted into the mold. In principle, however, the sprue element could be attached to its head section even before the cold strand has been inserted.

[0056] In principle, the shearing device with the guide pin and the shearing element could be dispensed with or another variant could be provided.

Claims

1. Starting device for a continuous casting plant (1), in particular for casting metallurgical long products, which has a head section (5) of a cold strand (4) which can be moved into a mold (2) before casting and at least one casting element (16) extending above the head section (5) into the mold, which can be fixed to the head section of the cold strand (4) and is provided with a structural structure (22), characterized in that the respective sprue element (16) and the head section (5) are each provided with a fastening means by which the respective sprue element (16) can be fastened in the head section (5) and by this fastening it is made possible that the respective sprue element (16) can be mounted by a robot (50) or a manipulator on the head section (5) in or above the mold (2).

2. Starting device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe respective sprue element (16) with the structural design (22) is designed in such a way that the robot (50) arranged outside the mold (2) can grasp a sprue element (16) from a depositing point outside the mold with a gripper device (46) and this can be inserted into the mold (2) and fastened on the head section (5) moved into the mold.

3. Starting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the structural design (22) of the at least one sprue element (16) is dimensioned such that, in the state before casting, it is placed within the mold with a minimum height and with its projections (19) almost up to the inner walls with a small distance to them.

4. Starting device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe respective sprue element (16) comprises a sealing element (24) below the structural structure (22), which is arranged above the head section (5) in the assembled state of the sprue element (16) and rests on the inner walls (2') of the mold (2) all around without any gaps or almost without any gaps and ensures that no melt flows between the inner walls (2') of the mold (2) and this sealing element (24) during pouring.

5. Starting device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the respective sprue element (16) has a base body (17) on which the fastening means is arranged on the underside and the structural structure (22) is arranged on the upper side, the latter in particular having this number of projections (19) projecting outwards from the central axis (M) of the sprue element (16).

6. Starting device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thata shearing device (40) is integrated in the fastening means of the respective sprue element (16) and the head section (5), which is designed in such a way that the sprue element (16) and the head section (5) of the cold strand (4) cannot be detached from one another in the assembled state, but after sprueing in the extended state onto the cast strand (6) a transverse movement relative to the cold strand (4) is brought about and in the process a release of the fastening means of the sprue element (16) connected to the cast strand from the head section (5) of the cold strand (4) is brought about by the shearing device (40).

7. Starting device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fastening means in the respective sprue element (16) can be fixed in a bayonet-like manner as a fastening pin (18) below the structural structure (22) in a corresponding receptacle (11) as a fastening means in the head section (5).

8. Starting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the shearing device (40) has at least one guide pin (21) projecting on the outer circumference of the fastening pin (18) and a shearing element (15) cooperating therewith and having a cutting edge (14), the latter being arranged in the receptacle (11) of the head section (5) and having its cutting edge (14) directed against the guide pin (21).

9. Starting device according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the fastening pin (18) has a contact surface (28) extending along its central axis (M) and a recess (20) extending perpendicular to the contact surface (28) for receiving in particular a cam (12) in the receptacle (11), wherein in particular a cross section of the insertion area has a substantially semicircular or rectangular basic shape.

10. Starting device according to claim 9, characterized in thatthe thickness of the insertion area corresponds substantially to the minimum width of the receptacle (11) in the region of the cam (12) projecting into the receptacle (11) and / or the minimum width of the contact surface (28) in the region of the recess (20) corresponds substantially to the maximum width of the receptacle (11) in the region of the cam (12) projecting into the receptacle.

11. Starting device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a plurality of sprue elements (16) are fastened to one head section of the cold strand (4), each of which is provided with a structural structure (22), wherein the number and placement of the sprue elements on the head section can be varied as required or as required according to the cross-section of the mold.

12. Starting device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in thatthat a robot (50) or manipulator can be used for assembling the sprue elements (16) from their components, such as the structural structure (22), the longitudinal elements (36), the sheet metal elements (23, 23'), the sealing elements (24) and the base body (27) using suitable aids.

13. Starting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the robot (50) or manipulator for assembling the sprue elements can also be used for assembling the sprue elements.

14. Pouring element for a starting device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the sprue element (16) is provided with a fastening means for fixing to the head section of the cold strand (4) and with a structural structure (22), wherein the structural structure (22) is in each case tree-like, which is formed, for example, from longitudinal elements (36) and / or sheet metal elements (23, 23') with a number of projections (19).

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