The continuous casting process transforms molten steel into billets using the main equipment and machinery in the Continuous Casting Machine (CCM) unit as follows:
Ladle Support Equipment
In continuous casting, ladles are generally used to supply molten steel to the continuous caster. Ladle support equipment is responsible for transporting the ladle to the top of the intermediate tank and securely holding it in place. Currently, there are four main types of ladle support equipment: craning ladle type, ladle stand type, ladle car type, and ladle turret type.
- Craning Ladle Type: The crane lifts the ladle to the specified position.
- Ladle Stand Type: The ladle is supported by a stand at a designated position.
- Ladle Car Type: The ladle car transports and supports two ladles, straddling the tundish. This device, along with the continuous casting machine and ladle crane, must be located in the same bay of the plant to ensure uninterrupted furnace casting. Each continuous casting machine is typically equipped with two ladle cars.
- Ladle Turret Type: The ladle turret consists of a fixed part and a rotating part. The fixed part is anchored to the foundation, while the rotating part is connected to the fixed part through bearings in a rotating cup. The rotating arm can pivot 180° and lift, offering a simple structure, remote operability, and high safety and reliability.
Tundish
The tundish primarily holds molten steel from the ladle and distributes it to each mold. It regulates the flow of steel into the molds, maintains uniform liquid temperature, and creates conditions for the flotation of non-metallic inclusions. When the steel level in the tundish is kept constant, it also helps stabilize pressure.
Tundish Car
The tundish car is used to move the tundish. It supports walking, lifting, and fine-tuning of the nozzle’s position. Small-capacity tundishes are typically powered electrically, while large-capacity tundishes use hydraulic drives. The tundish rails are equipped with sensors to measure the liquid weight.
Mould
The mold serves to cool and solidify molten steel into a steel shell of a certain thickness, preventing billet fracture during extraction. Pure copper or copper alloy, known for good thermal conductivity and resistance to heat deformation, is commonly used. The mold’s interior is slotted or drilled to maintain high-pressure cooling water at a flow rate of 5–10 m/s. To improve wear resistance, the inner surface is usually chrome-plated. Mold structures are generally categorized into three types: integral, tubular, and assembled.
Mould Vibration Device
The mold vibration device performs reciprocating movements to prevent molten steel from sticking to the mold walls, reducing the risk of shell breakage and steel leakage. This mechanism also enhances heat transfer and improves billet quality.
Secondary Cooling Device
After exiting the mold, the solidified shell of the billet is typically 10–30 mm thick, with the interior still containing molten steel. To prevent defects that might lead to molten steel leakage, secondary cooling is required to ensure complete solidification before the billet exits the mold.
Straightening Device
The straightening device continuously extracts the billet from the mold at an adjustable speed, straightens it in arc-type continuous casting machines, and ensures it is discharged horizontally.
Billet Cutting Machine
The billet cutting machine cuts the continuous casting billet to a specified length.
Flame Cutter: Operates with acetylene or propane and high-pressure oxygen. Advanced flame cutters include features such as walking mechanisms, cutting gun devices, end detection, and billet clamping devices. They are available in manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic modes.
Hydraulic Billet Cutting Machine: Though complex in structure, it provides high productivity.
