Adjustable Width Casting Device for Steel Pre-Strip Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing horizontal casting devices are inflexible and require significant time and cost to change casting widths, leading to operational inefficiencies and output losses due to fixed dimensions and complex setup processes.

Innovation Solution

A casting device with an adjustable horizontal conveyor belt and distribution device, where the side limits and cooling zones can be adjusted in width, allowing for variable pre-strip production without extensive dismantling, using mechanical or hydraulic actuators for reversible adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the casting device uses fixed width components, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability to different casting widths deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different casting widths

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The side limits of the conveyor belt are made adjustable in the width direction, allowing the casting device to dynamically adapt to different casting widths while maintaining structural stability through controlled modification of the conveyor belt configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor belt is divided into modular sections that can be reconfigured, and the cooling device is segmented into independently controllable cooling zones, enabling width adaptation without compromising the overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the casting device is designed for a specific casting width, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the versatility for different products deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidversatility for different products

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The casting device incorporates adjustable side limits and a multi-functional cooling system with independently controllable zones, allowing a single device to serve multiple casting width requirements and different product specifications without requiring separate dedicated equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the side limits and cooling zones are made adjustable, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The side limits are designed with adjustable mechanisms that can be repositioned along the conveyor belt, and the cooling zones are equipped with independent control systems, enabling adaptability through controlled dynamic adjustment rather than complex reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling device is divided into multiple independently controllable cooling zones, allowing selective activation of only the required zones for different casting widths, which manages complexity by enabling modular control rather than requiring complete system reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If extensive dismantling and assembly is required for width conversion, then the manufacturing precision is maintained, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing precisionVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The side limits and cooling zones are designed for quick adjustment rather than complete dismantling, allowing width conversion to be performed through repositioning adjustable components while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled adjustment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable side limits and modular cooling zones are pre-configured to enable rapid width conversion, allowing the system to be quickly reconfigured for different casting widths without extensive dismantling and reassembly operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick and efficient adaptation to different casting requirements, reducing setup time and costs by allowing for adjustable width production and optimized cooling zone usage, enhancing operational flexibility and output efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one cooling device is arranged below the horizontal conveyor belt, which is used to cool the metal running on the conveyor belt at the casting speed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the liquid metal solidifies to form a pre-strip and is simultaneously transported away and cooled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2188080B1Casting device

Publication Date: 2017.04.12 SMS GROUP GMBH

AI summary

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