Apparatus for casting solder on a moving strip

An apparatus for casting and bonding molten solder onto a moving metallic strip comprising:

• a stationary die having upstream and downstream portions with a casting portion, past which the metallic strip is capable of being moved, the casting portion having a casting channel extending from the upstream portion through the downstream portion for facing the moving metallic strip for containing and shaping the molten solder into a profile against the moving metallic strip, the stationary die having guide surfaces for guiding the moving metallic strip in relation to the casting channel;
• a heating arrangement for heating the upstream portion of the stationary die to prevent the molten solder from solidifying within the casting channel at said upstream portion, thereby allowing the molten solder to fill the casting channel, the casting channel at the downstream portion allowing the solder to cool while passing therethrough to solidify sufficiently to retain the shape of the casting channel when exiting the stationary die.

A stationary die for casting molten metal onto a moving strip of material comprising:

• a reservoir for containing molten metal;
• a casting channel having casting surfaces for containing and shaping the molten metal into a profile against the moving strip;
• a tapering transition region connecting the reservoir to the casting channel, wherein the reservoir, the transition region and the casting channel are longitudinally aligned and configured to face the moving strip.

A method of forming an apparatus for casting molten metal onto a moving strip of material comprising:

• providing a stationary die having upstream and downstream portions with a casting portion, past which the strip of material is capable of being moved, the casting portion having a casting channel extending from the upstream portion through the downstream portion for facing the moving strip for containing and shaping the molten metal into a profile against the moving strip;
• and
• providing a heating arrangement for heating the upstream portion of the stationary die to prevent the molten metal from solidifying within the casting channel at said upstream portion, thereby allowing the molten metal to fill the casting channel, the casting channel at the downstream portion allowing the molten metal to cool while passing therethrough to solidify sufficiently to retain the shape of the casting channel when exiting the stationary die.