Continuous chain caster and method

A continuous non-vertical caster for casting a non-ferrous metal or an alloy thereof to a predetermined width and depth comprising:

• a headbox;
• a tip;
• two opposed endless mold assemblies that can each travel along a closed path and that cooperate to define a mold channel between them, the mold channel having a feed opening and an exit and a casting region therebetween, and the metal or alloy, in a molten state, being able to move in the mold channel in a direction of travel between the feed opening and the exit, the mold channel having a depth that is defined between the two opposed mold assemblies, at least one of the mold assemblies having a plurality of mold blocks, the headbox and tip being positioned at the feed opening to supply the metal or alloy, in the molten state, from the headbox through the tip into the mold channel;
• a side dam on an opposite side of each mold assembly defining respective sides and a width of the mold channel between the side dams;
• adjusting means for changing the position of one of the endless mold assemblies relative to the other in at least one of two orthogonal directions transverse to the direction of travel to adjust any one of the width and the depth of the mold channel and thereby to adjust any one of the width and the depth of the metal or alloy in the molten state moving through the mold channel;
• and
• internal cooling means in the mold blocks to cool the mold blocks to solidify the metal or alloy in the mold channel,
• wherein the internal cooling means comprise supply holes and return holes which form paths for a fluid to flow through the mold blocks.

A method for continuous non-vertical casting of a non-ferrous metal or an alloy thereof to a predetermined width and depth wherein two opposed endless mold assemblies each having a plurality of mold blocks and traveling along a closed path cooperate to define a mold channel between them, the mold channel having a feed opening and an exit and a casting region therebetween and the metal or alloy in a molten state being able to move in the mold channel in a direction of travel between the feed opening and the exit, the method comprising the steps of:

• melting the metal or alloy;
• introducing the metal or alloy in a molten state into the feed opening;
• translating the mold assemblies along closed paths along the direction of travel between them;
• cooling the mold blocks internally to solidify the metal or alloy in the mold channel;
• and
• moving the mold assemblies relative to one another in one of two orthogonal directions substantially transverse to the direction of travel to adjust any one of the width and the depth of the mold channel and thereby to adjust any one of the width and the depth of the metal or alloy in the molten state moving through the mold channel, and wherein the mold blocks are cooled by supply holes and return holes which form paths for a fluid to flow through the mold blocks.